Lightwave is used in all the Unreal games and Serious Sam.
Also, if i'm not mistaken...some demon from Doom3 was created with Lightwave.
But as you said a lot depends on the work that needs to be done and personal preferences.
Another tool, which is an old one but rather new in the US and EU is "Shade" from Curiouslabs ( www.curiouslabs.com )
It's availible in 3 versions ranging from 99 dollars to 1100. I just tried the demo (which is the cheapest version in fact) and although it works a bit different then i'm used too...it's not bad.
Export is limited int the 99 dollar version though.
Also, if i'm not mistaken...some demon from Doom3 was created with Lightwave.
But as you said a lot depends on the work that needs to be done and personal preferences.
Another tool, which is an old one but rather new in the US and EU is "Shade" from Curiouslabs ( www.curiouslabs.com )
It's availible in 3 versions ranging from 99 dollars to 1100. I just tried the demo (which is the cheapest version in fact) and although it works a bit different then i'm used too...it's not bad.
Export is limited int the 99 dollar version though.