I'd like feedback on the possibility of change the Wraith. I have this ship of Luis's, which I've had for some time. I would like to drop it in and replace the current Wraith model/texture/OBB, so when the newbies go to upgrade they don't go "wow, that ship looks a lot dumber than the free EC-89 bus I had".

The only convenient picture I have of the new mesh doesn't really show all that much, but it gives you a general idea of the shape:

http://www.incarnate.net/luis/naja.john.png

WHAT THIS MEANS - Basically, I would be replacing only the mesh. So all the current stats for the wraith(s) would all stay the same. The name would stay the same, and so on. Everyone who already had wraith(s) would still have them, although they would look completely different. I would size/scale the new mesh to be as close to the old one as possible.

WHAT'S DIFFERENT - The handling of the ship would change. The physical distribution of mass for a ship is determined by its collision hull, which would have to change given the difference in ship geometry. So it would fly a little differently. The actual amount of mass and thrust numbers would all stay the same.. but it would "handle" a bit different. Probably not very different, but noticable to a vet or wraith-specialist.

WHY I WANT TO DO THIS - It lets me put a new ship into production (one that we've had for awhile), without the extensive time consuming hassle of balancing the ship and all its variants (since it would replace a time-tested set of ship configs). It lets me make the game look a little cooler for newbies, and removed one of our more dated-looking designs (again, that's my opinion, I know that will incur the wrath of all wraith-lovers).

WHERE I WILL NOT DO THIS - I have no intention of doing this to any of the more "iconic" ships.. like the Cent, Vult, and so on.. I'll be sending those OBBs to Luis and having him model new "interpretations" from scratch, which will have all-new visible models/textures, but still use the same original OBB (and thus, handle identically and also be roughly the same visual shape).

For my own Atlas ship, I'll be re-modeling and updating that one myself, when I get a chance (I know it also looks rather dated, and I'm looking forward to updating it, but have other fires to tend to right now).

Please post feedback regarding the Wraith.

I like it!

I'm down with it, but I do have one reservation that I'm pretty sure you guys are aware of but I'll say it anyway: the fact that all the new ships look like they've been produced by the same designer (which, they have :P)

While this is easily rationalized due to the fact that they are products of The Propellor Group, and therefore have the same design, uh, thingy....

... its really obvious which models are new, simply based on the quality of the textures.

But yeah, go for it! I like it. When I was first starting out the Wraith made me think of a bath toy some character's baby in EV Nova might have.

But hook us up with that Centurion model something quick like :)

Hmm, after looking at the model, i'd say go for it. But get the damn hornet replaced next! With 4 ad rails, its supposed to be fearsome in the right hands, it just does not look the part at all (and will look even less the part when you make a wraith look like a tank) you try looking scary with only 120 polygons!

Sounds good! Drop it in!

You know, I like the old look of the Wraith, it has kind of a retro sci-fi look to it. I agree with the change, though, that new model is damn good, and I'm more a fan of Luis's designs with each new one. It's true they all look the same, but I trust you already know that and that Luis is more than capable of producing a different line next, with a different style, but just as ridiculously good-looking. It would be cool to see the old Wraith model return in the future as some kind of collector-item classic, useless for heavy-duty work, and no way I'd take one into battle and risk scratching the paint! It would be an expensive vintage ship just for show.

yeah, give us nostalgia ships!

Question: How hard would it be to change the name?
I would like it if one model were renamed, and the new model would be given the standard wraith series (I-III) stats (replacing the base series).

I think all of the "Wraith-lovers" use the Axia variant if they can, so could we perhaps leave the current Wraith model as the Axia variant (and it would be its own ship, not a varient)? That would:
- still let you put a new ship into production without the extensive time consuming hassle of balancing the ship and all its variants.
- still let you make the game look a little cooler for newbies as the "Wraith" they run into would be the new model.
- mean no change in handling with the prefered variant.
- increase the diversity of ship models in-game (which I think is at least as important as having nice-looking models).
- and it would and leave a way for people to get a nostalgia ship (you could even easily bump the FS req up to +600 to make it a bit rarer and not bother anyone, I am sure).

-- Yes, it would mean you don't get to REMOVE a dated design, but that would be the point... :D

- Capt. of the Sylvanas

P.S. - Yeah, I was originally going to first comment on how it looks more like a replacement for the Atlas - LOL.

[stamp of approval]™

I'm okay either way. Though I have to admit that having the old wraith is fun, because no one assumes a wraith to be a threat and then BAM and I usually die cause I suck at pvp BUT in good hands it could do well. Now since all you are changing is the skin it shouln't change much right? But it kinda does cause the new one looks way more agressive than the good ol' wraith.

My point? Erm... I'm okay either way? lol

I like the look of the old wraith. This ship just looks too different to be a replacement for it. I agree with sylvanas' fix though, as long as it is possible to get the axia variant as old wraith skin, I'm happy.

I would like to be able to continue flying the original Wraith model, but I think perhaps it shouldn't be *the* Axia variant... perhaps make it another, secondary Axia variant... the "Antique Axia Guardian Wraith" perhaps?

Out of sheer traditionalism, I'll agree with the 'special' wraith. It seems that you are aiming to phase out some of the current, less-liked ships, and replace their external appearances. (Correct me if I'm wrong, please.) If that is the case, you could make the old ships be available at some designated station, perhaps Odia M-14, and have the same specs as one of their variants. Call it bootlegged version of x, and slosh a new paintjob on it or something ;)

Other than that, I'm looking forward to a reinterpretation of the most beloved ships in the game.

Dooo iiiiit!

It would be fun to see the old Wraith model show up as a wimpy AI trader in a mission, or as part of a ship graveyard.

I honestly see that model as more for the Atlas or even the centaur; it looks a bit long. I guess I'll have to see it in action to make up my mind.

I ♥ it.

purdy

As it has already been said many times in this thread already, the new model looks great but we've grown rather fond of the 'traditional' wraith design. The new model lacks any of the smooth design curves indicating its Itani design origins, and looks far too much like a pocket warship than the freight courier its supposed to be. I can appriciate Luis' excellent craftsmanship on the design, but frankly it looks more like a poor man's centurion. Round a few edges here, make the cockpit look a little more imbedded in the ship there, and I think we have a winner.

For the record: I do have Luis working on more faction-specific designs, and we plan on using most of his "current" models as "TPG" ships.. to keep the design similarities explicable. He's still working on concepting a lot of the faction-specific stuff, but so far he is producing designs that look "different" and fall more under the desired Itani/Serco design guidelines.

I'll consider LostCommander's suggestion. If we were to implement it that way (and I'm not sold on it yet, I need to think about it a little more).. how about calling the new low-level ship the "Revenant", to go along with the whole wraith-motif?

If we do keep the old wraith around, I'll have to spice up the textures a bit at least, to make it a little less.. dated (compared to the new ships with shaders). That'll take more time, but.. anyway, yeah, I'll consider it.

I like the name "Revenant"! If it is not used for this, can it be used for another ship?

Another question, could someone edit ("spice up") the textures in just Photoshop?