I get what you're saying, but I think it's also ignorant to (basically) say that Boon's contribution isn't as important as Tobias', because 'if it wasn't Boon, it would be someone else'.
There have been about 20 Dragon Ball fighting games and only FighterZ is a solid, competitive fighting game. Because it was made by ArcSys, who are amazing developers and programmers. They used the same lore that dozen other programmers used, but only they utilized it in such an amazing way.
So Boon being the head honcho of programming for a franchise that has been kicking for almost 30 years is no small feat and isn't something that anyone can do or scoff like if it wasn't him it would be someone else.
What I'm trying to say is that during this debate you two are having, you are so quick to dismiss each others' points despite both making solid ones. You're both right and you're both wrong.
You're missing what I am saying or I just failed at explaining properly.
I don't say that programmer isn't important. I am saying that they don't sell the game.
How many people know what is in all those cheeseburgers? Do you think they give a shit? No. They buy them cause they look nice, smell nice and taste nice. They don't care most of the time what is in them. Hell as a guy who disliked garlic, I didn't realize my cheeseburgers had them until I went into a kitchen tour.
Same with VIDEO games. What defines MK? Dragon symbol. Who created the symbol? Artists. Who are the most iconic characters of MK? Sub zero and Scorpion. Who created them? Artists.
Yeah sure, if we are talking ethics and respect. Everyone is equally important. When I worked on game projects with different teams, nobody was less important, no matter how much they contributed. All is nice and dandy among us.
But when it comes to business, brand recognition, it is the artists that are responsible. It is the name, the visuals that catch the eye. Game can run smooth af, but if it doesn't have something memorable, then it will be forgotten. Steam is filled with tons of amazingly crafted games. They are both visually stunning and have amazing gameplay. But they just don't click. Why? Visuals aren't as catchy. Sure they look pretty for a bit, but are soon forgotten. Why do you think most of the games now sell graphics over content? Look how many games have been released with close to photorealistic graphics, but barely any content. AND THEY SELL. Why? Visuals. Brand recognition. All that came from the artists. Programmers are the dark horses. They are the labor force you don't see. They are the cogs under the hood. And they can't make the game without the artists. That's how development works. First stage is always us artists sitting down and working on assets, while programmers have to sit back and look at their phones while we are working. Once we are done, they take over.
Hence saying that Boon's programming CARRIED MK is sorry, but laughable. He hasn't programmed since Deception as well. He has been a creative director for the longest time now. MK brand is what carried Boon. They failed at multiple MK projects as well, but could rise up cause of the brand name. Both Armageddon and MKvDC were financial failures. Other franchises tend to get destroyed after one failure. VERY few get a chance to mess up twice.
And do you know that MK9 was pretty much set on being the last MK? Hence why they went all out. And oh boy. Retelling of original trilogy brought back the life to MK (what a coincidence, that it was original trilogy). It is the brand, it always was the brand. Artists are what carries the franchises. The visuals. Not the programmers. So yeah. It is Tobias idea that is carrying the MK. Though to be fair, knowing first hand how team dev works, I seriously doubt that he was the only one that shaped the vision of the game.
Though to be fair, lack of technological progress and stagnation of MK, has put off people like me off. But that still didn't stop MK11 from having one of the biggest launches and selling well. Cause at the end of the day. Brand and the visuals. They always come first. Otherwise casuals wouldn't even bother buying the game.