Faction Ship Designs

[OneoftheLost]

For those of you reading the newsletters, how are you feeling about the ship design? More accurately, the Federation ship design, and the Imperial designs? The independent designs seem to be the 'classic' shapes like the Cobra III and the Sidewinder, but looking at both factions' cruisers, you can get a great idea of what way they are going.

Listen, I get it, slavery is wrong. However, the Imperial concept art is beautiful. I may have to convert from my hard-line stance as a Fed, and join the Empire.

 

[Penthux]

For those of you reading the newsletters, how are you feeling about the ship design? More accurately, the Federation ship design, and the Imperial designs? The independent designs seem to be the 'classic' shapes like the Cobra III and the Sidewinder, but looking at both factions' cruisers, you can get a great idea of what way they are going.

I think the Federation and Empire ship designs are spot on! I especially like the idea of the Empire having a more aesthetic design than the Federation, due to their need to show-off their achievements and extravagance. The Federation being more dependent on technology are most likely to have a more functional design, which makes sense.

Listen, I get it, slavery is wrong. However, the Imperial concept art is beautiful. I may have to convert from my hard-line stance as a Fed, and join the Empire.

Don't be such a shallow turncoat! lol

 

[Captain N]

I like the Alliance designs the most. I would have preferred that to be the look for all the ships in the game, because that just defines the 'Elite look' for me. Boxy shapes and strict utilitarianism. But I can see the appeal in diversity and differentiation between the factions. But this probably means my allegiance is chosen already...

 

[Minti2]

Listen, I get it, slavery is wrong. However, the Imperial concept art is beautiful. I may have to convert from my hard-line stance as a Fed, and join the Empire.

lol saw this thread earlier, but thought would wait for a Penthux reply, and sure enough its here! and what i expected from him

Like you i find the Imperial designs most appealing, but just shows beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as Captain N prefers the Fed designs better! and to be fair they have some nice looking ships to.

Of course there's nothing wrong in changing alliegence, as long as its to the Empire!

 

[FrogsFriend]

You have to consider what design you'd prefer to be seeing in your gunsights most of the time

Presumably your allies will be out of your sight, behind you somewhere.

 

[OneoftheLost]

Haha I hadn't thought of it that way Frog. Then again, I'll probably stop to go into 3rd person view and check out my ship while sunskimming or picking up cargo or something. So there is always seeing my OWN ship.

@Gunman Hah! I would very much like to see more Federation designs as well, they strike me as quite interesting, and if people want to see the old ships with the lines and such, then there is always the Alliance

Or at least that was the impression I got. Hopefully Frontier allows me to repost some of the pictures they have shown?

Federation: I like the look of their cruiser, and it excites me to see where they will go with copying these design philosophies. They have a very clean, white, utilitarian look. It maintains a bright, if futuristic feel.

Imperial: Imperial designs are my favorite, and just like Penthux said, they are much more flamboyant in showing off their achievements. The curves and defined lines make for a very attractive shape, almost religious or what I think of as 'Elvish' in style.

Alliance: Very gritty, with defined lines and an almost dull military look. Like something out of Halo or... *GASP* the first Elite. Not many round shapes involved with these ships, but they are very pleasing to the eye in my opinion.

@Penthux I'm with you on them really getting the feel of the two faction's ships right. I love where they are going aesthetically.

..but...but...the Federation doesn't give me delicious ships with prety slave girls to serve me drinks while I shoot bounties!

 

[madassa648]

I wonder if we'll see the Hauuuuuuuuuuuge bulk haulers from Elite II in the game, the things that looked a bit like the battlestar Galactica just sans here side pods.

 

[Captain N]

Long range cruisers, they were called. One of my favourite designs from Frontier.

My money would be on them appearing as the Alliance equivalent of the Imp and Fed cruisers we've already seen in the concept art.

Then again, I think they were only transporters, rather than military ships... not that they were ever seen doing any more transporting than fighting, as they were only static props.

 

[Bikky]

I like the Alliance designs the most. I would have preferred that to be the look for all the ships in the game, because that just defines the 'Elite look' for me. Boxy shapes and strict utilitarianism. But I can see the appeal in diversity and differentiation between the factions. But this probably means my allegiance is chosen already...

Here here, but as I used to seriously want the Volvo 850R, the Boxy but Good shape.

I think my Ship will have bearing on my vehicle choice, Performance outweighs looks, and the looks must have a functional use. Don't give me a big boot wing on a front wheel drive car, that's just stupid, but put one under the front bumper will help.

My ship will have to be the same.

 

[Charlie D]

I think it will be interesting to see what factions people are going to go for, perhaps a poll could be arranged? I would normally go for the underdogs, so probably the alliance.......but the descriptions! Given a choice of ancient Rome and honour, American crass consumerism, or the dull grey of european politics (nothing ever happens...) it will have to be the Imperials.
And the ships look cool of course!

 

[OneoftheLost]

I think it will be interesting to see what factions people are going to go for, perhaps a poll could be arranged?

Done. Although I think a new thread should be opened for actual faction choice poll.

 

[Captain N]

So, the classic ships - the snakes - are (apparently) Alliance ships. We know Eagle is Empire.

I wonder if this means all the bird-named ships, like Falcon, Kestrel, Saker, Tiercel etc. would be Imperial ships...

This, I guess would leave the cat names for the Federation... Lion, Panther, Puma, etc.

 

[OneoftheLost]

No, it didn't work like that in FFE.

Both the Feds and Imps had their own Eagle. (2 and 3 respectively.) It isnt based off of a naming scheme AFAIK. Think of the Imperial Courier, Explorer, Trader etc.

 

[Captain N]

However it worked in FFE isn't relevant much. They didn't have faction-specific designs either. Design was very different between the classic ships and the new FFE ships - Sure, this is all speculation but if they want to keep the classic ships using the old look and if Alliance is the 'faction with the classic looking ships', it makes sense those ships would all be lumped with Alliance, right?

It looks like they're wanting to emphasise the different flavour of the factions this time more, and it would explain why they changed Eagle Mk II to an "Imperial Eagle Mk II", even though the Mk 2 used to be the Federation variant.

 

[OneoftheLost]

I was lost for a second, then I looked at the backers awards again, and sure enough, it looks like they might be doing faction specific designs for ships.

Never noticed the Imperial Eagle Mk II.

Not sure how I feel about that. I'd rather they just kept the Eagle as an Imperial design early, and the Sidewinder an Alliance design. Keeps things simple while giving each faction its own personality.

As an example look at WW2 aircraft. People will forever associate Britain with the Spitfire. Same with the Japanese and the Zero.

 

[Patrick_68000]

I'll decide when I see all the spaceships finished the screen.

Spaceships empire are more aesthetic but the choice depends on the utility. The cost is also part of the choice.

And it is also a favorite

In Frontier, Imperial courier is beautiful. And yet I preferred the Cobra Mk III is less beautiful.

Asp explorer was similarities with Cobra but was more expensive.


It will also see 10 new spaceships.

The final choice of a spaceship is all about efficiency and affectivity

 

[Captain N]

I wouldn't have noticed the Mk 2 thing either, but someone with Eagle eyes did and made a topic of it in the PBF, and that was what got me thinking. Was it an honest mistake on FD's part, or is there a reason for the change? Are the Reptilians behind everything? I'm sure seeing more dev diaries and ship concepts will bring light on this.

 

[Capn Tucker]

Well, since I intend to be a pirate, I'll be flying whatever I can get my villainous hands on..

 

[SAB380]

I like the classic designs best ...which if I understand right are 'alliance'.
Its a very unique take on sci-fi ship design (rather than cramming in/on as much as possible) and so far seems to transfer well to 2014 graphics from what we've seen.

 

[Bikky]

Another poll, LOL...

I'm in my own faction, what ever advances me further.