Inon Zur was one of the composers on the "Emotion in Game Music" panel. They showed a scene from a game about being in a western town in the desert, etc. (can't remember the name of the game). Inon spoke very clearly about how he evoked the sound of the landscape by using high and low strings and putting a french horn in the middle.
My theory is that his artist brain was inspired to enhance the visuals by painting a sonic picture and his craft brain knew how to orchestrate that picture for maximum effect, to give the player that wow factor.
And his business success allows him the freedom to pick projects that give him the opportunity to more fully express his inner artist and flex his great craft muscles at the same time.
I prefer the holistic approach. Mostly because I can't afford to be a flaky artist. Others may have that luxury, I, on the other hand, would like to make my living as an artist, which makes the craft and business side inevitable.
Casey
