Test Server Feedback

Hey, Sledgehammer, are we going to get the ability to wear the GDN-9 "Nightstalker" Combat Goggles on our foreheads as suggested by this image? This has been a requested feature by almost everyone who owns them for a while now.

Rattlesnake Comparison
Here's a comparison between the (old) and (new) Rattlesnake to illustrate a few points.
Verdict: Old Rattlesnake. No question.

http://imgur.com/a/DEiMh

1. The hull has lost it's "sheen". A straight matte finish does not lend itself well towards camouflage patterns.
2. The lights have changed from orange to light blue, losing some of the 'ominous' appeal. And there's actually two different sets of lights: light/pale orange on the bridge and spotlights and light blue for everything else.
3. The colours of the camouflage are now completely off. There was less of a difference between the shades of brown on the old version - the new one has too much contrast (it's gone from light/medium brown to beige/dark brown).
4. Parts that were previously black (fins, grates, slats, engines) are now washed out and a greyish/light brown. In the process, the subtle aspects which used to distinguish the Rattlesnake and offer some contrast with the camouflage scheme now doesn't stand out at all and in fact look a little cartoonish.

Barghest Comparison
Here's another comparison using the (old) and (new) Barghest.
Verdict: Old Barghest with the main hull colour change from the PBR version.

http://imgur.com/a/lE8rd

1. Aside from the colour improvement with the PBR version (more of an off-blue/black), the PBR version is entirely a step back.
2. All of the minor/subtle details such as the white lines and panelling trim have all but disappeared.
3. The weathering around a lot of the ship (launcher mount points being one example) now stands out in contrast in addition to being a different colour (brown instead of black).

Navy Raven Comparison
And another Caldari comparison. This one I'm kind of torn on...
Verdict: Old Navy Raven (although some of the changes in the PBR version are nice)

http://imgur.com/a/ET1pe

1. The matte finish on the PBR version is actually an improvement in this instance. I never really liked the highly reflective blue/metallic (especially the turrets) on the old version.
2. The old digital colour scheme has better textures and colours than the new PBR version. I'm not sure if I like how the old version had the texture applied everywhere or the PBR version where it's been removed from some of the protruding rods and parts of the ship. I definitely prefer the older digital scheme, though.
3. Running lights - this seems to be a recurring theme. They've gone from a consistent medium blue on the old Navy Raven to a combination of light blue/white and pale orange. This is throwing off some degree of objectivity.
4. Should I even mention the weathering? You can't really tell from the front, but start rotating it… yikes! At the very least the weathering on Caldari ships should lend themselves to the existing colour scheme, ie: grey and black as opposed to this bright brown/rust colour (scroll down in the set to see the weathering comparison from the rear).

Hey Devs, are you guys doing the map redesign as well or is that a different group?

Vindicator Comparison
Images speak more than words here…
Verdict: Old Vindicator

http://imgur.com/a/AYljG

Who stole my BLACK Vindicator?!

The new Vindicator is clearly superior, both in how the camo is separated and how light is actually bounding between the two halves in the front.

Both mine and your posts are subjective reviews and I'm going to go on the exact opposite side on all of the ships you have posted. There are problematic ones like the Nightmare and Revenant with too much bling but most, if not all, other ships are looking more realistic. There is an argument for lowering the glossiness and shininess of some materials on Amarr hulls but that's down to the question of "What are the imaginary properties of the imaginary minerals ships are coated with?".

The only thing that is clear is that some races will benefit more from PBR than others. Aesthetics play a much large role than people realize, and I think that the ship changes in a lot of instances are too substantial to be generally well-received.

I was referring to it solely from a visual/graphic perspective.

Eagle

This ship received some very questionable additions to the hull, namely humps on top of the wing canisters, a hump on the neck as well as a lance on the head, a flight deck on the neck and cranes on the engines. What are these supposed to be?
They take away details on the neck and add features to the ship that make it look like a construction crane fused with Quasimodo. That does not add anything meaningful to the ship and really overstrains the "Aesthetics follows Utility" mantra some like to use.
Moreover, the ship keeps its drone bay, a feature that is on both the Onyx and the Eagle absolutely unnecessary as they don't have drone bays. Instead of adding the aforementioned humps and random crane arms to the ship, I suggest to remove the dronebay and add antennae and other elements there to indicate long range targeting and tracking capabilities of the Eagle and warp disruption field generator enhancing modules for the Onyx.

Incursus + Variations

Their iconic antenna/probe should not be removed completely and instead be replaced with a similarly massive antenna in addition to the smaller antennae/probes.
With the straight bottom part and the removed sensor compartment at the bottom-front, it also loses a fair bit of the organic structure feel that is typical for Gallente ships in favor of a more uniform and less iconic design. Not really something that makes the ships stand out from each other.