Old Carrier vs New Carrier

[Norfindel]

the new carrier looks more like the cinematic from sc1. it's like they kept the hull of the cinematic carrier and added loops on the side.

You mean the new concept art, right? Because the in-game SC2 model looks a lot emptier.

[mr. peasant]

Here's something to ponder over that others haven't quite mentioned yet:

When designing the Protoss air force, Blizzard has to ensure that the units are visually unique and distinctive but similar enough to be thematically similar. Otherwise, they would look like rather hodgepodged and mismatched. Sure, this is not entirely realistic but it's part of good design and helps create an obvious sense of identity for the race.

Now, look at the other Protoss air units:



Even the Observer got redesigned to match this aesthetic.

Now, between these two, which better matches the overall theme?

[img]

[Roobster]

This comparison is interesting but unfair, me and I'm sure some others don't want a direct port of the old model but rather a model that based on and very close to the old Carrier with tasteful visual improvements. These improvements could have the aesthetic characteristics of the rest of the Protoss air force to to enforce thematic uniformity. There was a picture in the old artwork trailer that if I'm not mistaken depicted such an evolved version of the old Carrier.

[mr. peasant]

This comparison is interesting but unfair, me and I'm sure some others don't want a direct port of the old model but rather a model that based on and very close to the old Carrier with tasteful visual improvements. These improvements could have the aesthetic characteristics of the rest of the Protoss air force to to enforce thematic uniformity. There was a picture in the old artwork trailer that if I'm not mistaken depicted such an evolved version of the old Carrier.

Except if the signed date on the concept art is to be believed (along with the fact that it's been released to the public), this is likely what the modelers based the current Carrier model on. And before anyone can say that the new Carrier was based on the Tempest and so its concept art should be gray/silver, take a look at the Firebat and Marauder concept arts. Clearly, something as simple as a recolor is a cakewalk for the artists.

[KneeofJustice]

One thing I just noticed (and you guys can tell me if this seems right) is that the old units seem to be more "rounded" with more curvy bodies and appendages. Its not that they arent sleek, just (edit: more) rounded. Now, they seem much more angular with the rounded shuttle being replaced by the rather sharp fins of the phase prism, the sleek bluntness of the scout replaced with a large-winged phoenix complete with tail and wing spikes and the angular voidray (a spiky arrowhead)

The rounded blimplike carrier was replaced by a carrier that seems to taper into a point.

The only SC2 toss air model i really like is the phase prism, but even that could use some work.

[Kacaier]

Except if the signed date on the concept art is to be believed (along with the fact that it's been released to the public), this is likely what the modelers based the current Carrier model on.

I think he meant this picture, from the StarCraft 2 Artwork Trailer:

http://www.sonsofthestorm.com/viewer...arcraft&art=15

Though, you can't really make out much of the ship since it's such a wreck (literally).

EDIT:
Found better picture from Sons of the Storm.

[Roobster]

One thing I just noticed (and you guys can tell me if this seems right) is that the old units seem to be more "rounded" with more curvy bodies and appendages. Its not that they arent sleek, just less rounded. Now, they seem much more angular with the rounded shuttle being replaced by the rather sharp fins of the phase prism, the sleek bluntness of the scout replaced with a large-winged phoenix complete with tail and wing spikes and the angular voidray (a spiky arrowhead)

The rounded blimplike carrier was replaced by a carrier that seems to taper into a point.

The only SC2 toss air model i really like is the phase prism, but even that could use some work.

Excellent summary, "sleek bluntness" is just what the Protoss airforce was all about visually in the first game, and I don't like either that this has changed. I think the new designs are too flimsy-looking as well, especially the Void Ray. The Phoenix got better from the first design though, the wings looked like they were made of crystal at first.

I think he meant this picture, from the StarCraft 2 Artwork Trailer:

Though, you can't really make out much of the ship since it's such a wreck (literally).

This is the picture I meant. I wish it had been easier to see this ship but at least we can see that it is possible to "modernize" the old model and make it pretty different without losing its feeling of durability and power (not that a crashed ship feels very durable or powerful but use your imagination).

[Gradius]

One thing I just noticed (and you guys can tell me if this seems right) is that the old units seem to be more "rounded" with more curvy bodies and appendages. Its not that they arent sleek, just (edit: more) rounded. Now, they seem much more angular with the rounded shuttle being replaced by the rather sharp fins of the phase prism, the sleek bluntness of the scout replaced with a large-winged phoenix complete with tail and wing spikes and the angular voidray (a spiky arrowhead)

The rounded blimplike carrier was replaced by a carrier that seems to taper into a point.

The only SC2 toss air model i really like is the phase prism, but even that could use some work.

Also, the military/solar-ion stripes are now all gone.

[KneeofJustice]

I took that as given. Another reason ppl seem not to like it.

I think it's fairly unique for a futuristic alien race to have camoflage type coloring on their deep-space ships.

I'm just soooo glad that they all fior lazsorz naow!!!11!1/sarcasm

[mr. peasant]

http://www.sonsofthestorm.com/viewer...arcraft&art=15

Though, you can't really make out much of the ship since it's such a wreck (literally).

I'm not sure that's a Carrier (at least not a standard one). Aside from its slightly hemiellipsoid (half a 3D ellipse) top half, it doesn't have much in common with the old Carrier. Plus, the front section looks to be a cockpit of some sort (it's a different color from the main body).

I think it's fairly unique for a futuristic alien race to have camoflage type coloring on their deep-space ships.

Though if you think about it, 'space camo' would be flat black with no additional details.


Overall, it seems that there is a considerable amount of difference between the old and new air units; right down to a geometric level. Therefore, in order to incorporate the old Carrier model, the entire Protoss air force would need to be redesigned if uniformity is to be maintained. That sounds somewhat unfeasible to me without impacting SC2's schedule.