225 replies to this topic

[Jaeren]

The level of detail is always striking on FD's work, and the way in which he holds to the major characteristics of the original designs while expressing them in a functional and mechanically plausible form has consistently impressed me. But the man is not a machine. I cannot imagine the amount of concept art and redraws of each 'mech he has done - it must be exhausting, even on a topic he holds dear.

There is a certain 'character' that is missing from the new design that has been mentioned many times before in this forum, but I'll add my voice to the cacophony. It holds far less resemblance to its namesake than the original did in the form of a beak, and even talons (the resemblance was there in the original, if not believable) - that said, the rest of the 'mech design is superior.

Whatever reason the beak and talons (I am confident he could redesign them as narrow and even clawed) were eliminated, I would still happily pilot the 'mech - it would simply not be a 'Raven' in the back of my mind.

[BeakieHelmet]

I am in love with this new Raven.

I've never liked the old Raven - I've always preferred the more real-ish looking mechs, and I honestly have no problem with redesigns, this guy's designs have been good so far and this one? Man, I'm going to have to make this my new primary mech. Goodbye, Kit Fox, hello Raven...

EDIT: For those that feel the beak is missing - It's not. The beak looks far more like a Raven's beak than it ever has before, before the beak was more akin to some sort of falcon. So no, this redesign looks MORE like it's namesake than it used to.

Compare

http://images.nation...659_600x450.jpg

to

http://upload.wikime...vid_Hofmann.jpg

I don't think there's any character missing to it at all, it's definitely the raven, though I personally think everyone will have that one mech they don't like the look of. For me it's the Centurion, for my friend it's the Awesome, and on this mech... man, I can't say enough good things about it. I love it.

Edited by BeakieHelmet, 26 April 2012 - 01:16 PM.

[Thornn]

Hayashi, on 26 April 2012 - 01:07 PM, said:

As long as we keep it civil, it's good. Someone would bother me if otherwise, and I do like my peace.

Absolutely, there is no need for people to be calling others names for simply expressing an opinion.

[Aelos03]

verybad, on 26 April 2012 - 12:36 PM, said:

Reported

You're way out of line.

Just becaus I don't agree with you does not call for that behavior.

First thread is called "Do you like new RAVEN ?" and you get in and write how we complain *** ?!?
if i'm going to be reported for stating my opinion fine no problem i will accept my punishment, but don't forget this is internet
and saying my post is out of line is stupid because that post i commented on was complete trolling but unlike you crybaby i don't report.
report me for this one too if you want i wont mind it.

[Vexgrave Lars]

Verybad and Aelos, do please stop and consider that continuing the push this may get you both banned without interaction from any of the posters herein. Please stop at this point and consider your positions rationally and return with clear statements related to the topic, and not each other.

[CrunchTheRobot]

I've always thought the previous Raven designs were okay. This design, on the other hand, appeals to me very much. I think it looks very sleek and more mechanical than previous versions and I'm definitely going to use this when I scout.

Edited by CrunchTheRobot, 26 April 2012 - 01:25 PM.

[Zakatak]

Make nose a beak.

Win.

The poll is too black and white, won't vote.

[Storm McIntyre]

I love the redesign of the Raven. I remember seeing a picture drawn of the original RVN-1X from a scenario pack before the Raven was included in a TRO update. It was an oblong box with bolted on fat rear canted legs and a small rounded airplane nose. Its original stats insured the Raven on the battlefield would be useless, and the picture of it so ugly nobody would want to pilot it. I liked the redesign they did in the TRO, but I like FD's take on it even more.

Besides my historical perspective on the evolution of the design, the reason I support FD's work on all the mechs so far, and future ones for that matter, is because I WANT them to be as different as possible.

Why?

I don't want this game to be just like all the others. I want it to be distinctive in both playability and style. I want it to have its own identity. Yes, I want it to be recognizable as Mechwarrior. As Battletech. But I want it to stand apart from its siblings that we have all played before. I don't want to play a slightly different looking version of MWLL. And if being that distinctive allows us to see designs that we never thought we would see, (Unseen, Reseen, Star League, etc.) then PGI and FD will have my full, faithful and unfaltering support.

I accept that some people aren't going to like the art concept, and that's fine by me. There were/are mechs I don't like myself, simply because of how they look, not how they perform on the battlefield, and I'm sure there are others out there who are the same way about certain designs. The only thing I can say is, just give change a chance.

[Jaeren]

BeakieHelmet, on 26 April 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

EDIT: For those that feel the beak is missing - It's not. The beak looks far more like a Raven's beak than it ever has before, before the beak was more akin to some sort of falcon. So no, this redesign looks MORE like it's namesake than it used to.

Compare

http://images.nation...659_600x450.jpg

to

http://upload.wikime...vid_Hofmann.jpg

I don't think there's any character missing to it at all, it's definitely the raven, though I personally think everyone will have that one mech they don't like the look of. For me it's the Centurion, for my friend it's the Awesome, and on this mech... man, I can't say enough good things about it. I love it.

This seems to be one of those situations where an object becomes defined by the consistence of an incorrect expression. Until you posted those pictures the reference my mind always called up in response to the word 'raven' was the image of this 'mech, and its beak. I concede to your correction - the beak on this design more closely resembles its namesake. the exaggerated beak is still the core of this designs original character, the misnomer being all the more defining to the design.

[Thorn Hallis]

Vexgrave Lars, on 26 April 2012 - 12:57 PM, said:

Trying to enforce one's own perspective over others in the forums is inane and foolish. Arguing artistic taste... Hmm, the absolute futility of that act surpasses even the futility of doing nothing.

As passionate we are about the design, pro or con, we are not entitled to any extension of our will over PGI's and FD's decision and direction. Your stance, so over-loudly voiced may sway future perspectives, but probably counter to the direction you might want so be cautious. As an artist, I will tell you I enjoy praise, and ignore criticism, I'd be willing to bet FD would do the same.

While I love the look currently and the originally I say change it or don't I don't care, the Raven is in.

So much THIS!

And besides my personal taste for the artwork I'd never say its bad or something. I truly believe that FD puts his heart and soul behind every design - but one simply cannot satisfy everyone. True story.

[Zakatak]

It isn't just the look of the mech that makes it a Raven.

The bird itself is described as being highly intelligent, capable of solving problems on its own. It frequently manipulates other species into doing what it wants, such as luring wolves to another group of animals so it has corpses to feed on. It preys on many things, and even plays "catch me if you can" with dangerous creatures just for fun.

This contrasts well with the Raven playstyle. Being alone, manipulating enemies, using your intelligence and electronics to benefit your friends.

[Garth Erlam]

Motionless, on 26 April 2012 - 09:41 AM, said:

For a number of the people who 'don't like' the design, it's not about not liking the design in and of itself, it's about the fact that the mech is suppose to be a Raven and the design departs from part of what they liked about the Raven (and to an extent also the raven-inspired Men Shen and its large curves, although that wont be around for quite a while.)

I suspect they removed the raven's curves and they're only going to stay true to curves on clan mechs.

If we're going to get nitpicky about canon...

[William Petersen]

Garth Erlam, on 26 April 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

If we're going to get nitpicky about canon...

Wow, that's even more hideous than the normal Raven. o.o

[stun]

I like the MWO design better than the art

[Vexgrave Lars]

Gee Garth... that is an awesome antique, how far beneath the dust did you have to look for that?

[Dirk Le Daring]

The new look Raven is a VERY good piece of work. I feel it looks so much like something you could expect to see were it actual and real. I do like it a lot.

[Storm McIntyre]

Garth Erlam, on 26 April 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

If we're going to get nitpicky about canon...

Yep! That's the original all right! Just as ugly as I remembered......

[Jaeren]

So what I'm getting from that Garth, is that you believe that this new design will redefine the Raven again, as effectively as the curved-beak design redefined that ...original. When put that way, I can be very open minded.

[Aelos03]

Dirk Le Daring, on 26 April 2012 - 01:46 PM, said:

The new look Raven is a VERY good piece of work. I feel it looks so much like something you could expect to see were it actual and real. I do like it a lot.

Well i think if it had same nose as old model it would look real too?

EDIT: Bt the way are there more pictures of that ancient raven ?

Edited by Aelos03, 26 April 2012 - 01:58 PM.

[StoneShipman]

Garth Erlam, on 26 April 2012 - 01:37 PM, said:

If we're going to get nitpicky about canon...

This picture is not any more canon than the other, more popular and plentiful, designs people are referencing.

In fact, if you were to propose this is the 'real' canon raven, then the MWO design is even worse at representing the Raven well.