Ships & Modules

Even though I quoted you in this post, it isn't directed at you. A lot of people have said the same thing in various ways and I want to tell you all why I think that is not correct.

Military design does not care about symmetry except that it is a necessary evil for traversing over or through a medium where friction is a significant factor (land, air, water). Aesthetic appeal (how pretty or cool looking something is) would also be a laughable consideration among military engineers, not that the person quoted above was arguing otherwise, I'm just saying. But take note:

Tank - not symmetrical

Boats - not symmetrical

Plane - not symmetrical in the least

EVE ships are not designed for atmospheric flight, nor do they even appear to land anywhere. And they most certainly do not traverse through fluidic space (I've heard that argument before). It seems like all of the disembarking and cargo transfer is taken care of by small shuttle-craft, drones and capsules. But as far as I can tell the ships are not designed to bump or rub against anything (technophiles aside).

The only concern regarding momentum and center of gravity, is that all of the various engines are engineered to provide stable forward momentum without (through their own power) tumbling the ship. That does not necessitate that the hull and engines all be symmetrical. Asymmetrical design does not decrease efficiency in any way as long as the engineers have done their job, nor does it make their jobs any harder. Forcing them to conform to an overall symmetry, however, does make their jobs harder. These aren't 3d modelers we're talking about. These guys have to consider how to arrange all sorts of massive internal gadgets that likely have their own asymmetric geometry that completely defies gravity. Because there is no gravity, because they were built in space.

I've also heard the argument that the internal layout of the ship would be too confusing if it weren't symmetrically designed. That is a ridiculous argument. Sailors know their ship! It's their job to learn the layout, why it works efficiently, and how it can save their lives.

None of that really matters though, because this is a game. I'm not asking the CCP art developers to change anything about what they're doing with these (Caldari) extreme makeover redesigns. Even though I wholeheartedly disagree with them. I'm not asking them to try to be more realistic or less symmetrical or even more symmetrical. I'm just saying (and I'm not the only one) that I personally liked the old Caldari design philosophy so much better, it 'felt right' and this new stuff 'feels wrong.' I know there are others who feel the same way about their favorite ships.

It's not nostalgia, and it's not "DONT CHANGE MAH GAME, MKAY?!" It's different or uncommon aesthetic preferences that found their place in the EVE universe, and now that place is being wrenched out from under them and replaced with something that appeals more to the rest of you. Now the Moa looks more like an Amarr ship, kinda similar to a Prophecy. Now the Condor looks like a light fighter-craft instead of a frigate. Now the Scorpion looks like a scorpion. That's all fine. But when this is all over I'm gonna want my fracking Moa back! One way or another!

Your airplane argument does not help your case...

As someone who was hated the old Moa and Domi, I'm happy, not because they're symetrical (some of my favorite hulls are asymetrical: Kestral, Naga, Corax for Caldari specific) but because they now have more of a military/combat craft feel. (also actual drone bay on the domi)

I love the new Moa, but I really hope the trend toward 'tweaked' T2's continues and we can get a suitcase or two on the alt hulls (Eagle, etc...), especially since we're getting into an Eve where paintjobs don't mean as much.

The new 'Phoon looks a little too similar to some Tengu configs. But I didn't really dislike the old Typhoon model either.

The Moa needed to be remodeled. Next to the Blackbird, the old hull design makes no sense. I like asymmetrical ship designs that make sense, like the Tempest and Vargur. The new rework of the Moa hull is better than it was before and makes more sense. Before the turrets were laid out on hull facets that would have precluded the thing from actually having full 360 degree target acquisition and engagement. I was expecting them to go more with a cubist, blocky design similar to the Naga, Rohk than making it look aerodynamic. Aerodynamics are totally not needed in the vacuum of space.

Didn't care for the old Condor, still don't care for it.


I will miss the old Space Potato. But the new Domi does look positively intimidating while keeping the essence of the old Domi.

I have to agree with you. I do like the new models, it's nice to see new stuff. However, it's true they recently look too much... space game generic. Specially the Caldari ones. When I first met EVE I fell in love with the ship designs, they were so... unusual and characteristic. But they recently seem to be getting more generic. I know CCP might want to change aesthetics from time to time, it's a great idea, but I think I prefered the old aesthetics for the Condor and the Moa.

No, it's you and the fifty thousand people who've mentioned it previously.