What I mean Mirek is that if rendering time is an issue (which in games it is) then you cant add the bells and whistles to it, to make it look the best.

Like you said, the brush dosent limit the artist, but only give the artist one brush a limited palate and a short amount of time and your not going to get the best work.

Also I think that shineyness does come form the cool factor, its like "whahhh look at those refelctions aint it well coool" not that its realistic or anything,