Quote: "It's a shame it works like this, since most industry professional game concept designers are clearly about as imaginative as a haddock. Having said that, I think 99% of people think they have a great idea, but only 5% of people actually have a good idea. And those 95% who don't have good ideas, are unimaginative enough to think other bad ideas are good ... which is why we have so many crap games. Unimaginative game designers, and unimaginative teams thinking those unimaginative ideas are actually good! *deep breath*"
More often than not, those who's job it is to concept usually have some very good ideas.. and design documents are often pretty damn long once a working design is agreed upon by the team.
Unfortunately during development circumstances can change, so the design document usually undergo's several revisions; changes etc. to what is felt will work, what can actually be done, etc.
I mean it's great saying "and then the hero looks out across the ruins of the city to see thousands of creatures crawling out of everywhere.." if the hardware and engine can only physically have a small draw distance and a couple hundred creatures.
So that scene would either get designed to fit, or more often cut and replaced.
While what Jeku says is true, ideas are a dime-a-dozen.. good ideas and being able to bring that to life for others to understand your idea as well is a very different thing. This is why it is an industry of it's own.
As I mentioned Eidos is about the only company I know that legitimately takes ideas from users, and while yes never actually heard of anyone's being used yet.. I'm sure if it's actually interesting enough someone will want to develop it. I just wouldn't hold out hope on it.
