So if there is going to be a new ESD in STO, I would rather recommend Chung's original design - it contains warmth and love for Star Trek, see:
Would you mind pointing out the differences between the concept art and the final version of the new Spacedock, because aside from the rings beneath the pods and some yellow lighting, I can't see much of a difference?
Gladly:
The proportionality and the details of an artificial object play a central role in how we perceive and experience it aesthetically. This has both psychological as well as historical and cultural roots. The Golden Ratio, as an example of harmonious proportionality, is often perceived as particularly pleasing because it represents a balanced and simultaneously natural division of space or form. It is one of the "ideal" proportions that frequently appear in nature, such as in the arrangement of leaves, shells, or galaxies, and is therefore intuitively perceived as beautiful.
Examples:
In Chung’s original version, ring structures are not only present on the main hull but also repeated on the five side platforms. This creates an aesthetically sensual connection between the main hull and the side platforms because a constructive idea is repeated. One can debate whether the rings are appealing. But either they are used consistently, or they are omitted entirely. In the ESD from STP, only those on the hull remain, which makes the toothpicks extending downward from the side platforms appear completely out of place.
Furthermore, the cone structures have slightly convex inclinations, which makes the entire design (as with Carson's ESD) appear much more natural and harmonious.
Additionally, the lighting in Chung’s version is much more atmospherically positioned, giving a certain lightness to the massive upper primary cone (the dock). And the warm lighting of the upward-pointing antennas/structures creates a pleasant contrast to the relatively cold surroundings (Earth, the rest of ESD).
Overall, Chung´s version is a very well-thought-out aesthetic concept. Unfortunately, the test server version of the ESD turned out even less successful than the version in STP, as the lower cone appears much larger in proportion to the upper cone compared to STP. Moreover, the upper and lower antennas are compressed, making the entire ESD appear bulkier than in STP.
Interesting, in the smaller picture you posted from Instagram, I couldn’t see any of that. Having found a much larger image on James Chung’s website however, I can see what you mean about the convex curves being more apparent, particularly on the main dockyard structure and midsection. The ring below the midsection even matches the curve of the structure above.
- Earth Spacedock - From Concept to TV and the Game -
Whilst it wouldn’t be 100% accurate to the canon version, I certainly wouldn’t object to the rings being added below the pods, as like you say the towers extending below do seem somewhat extraneous without them.
Excellent point about the antennas by the way. I hadn’t noticed, but they are indeed extremely truncated on the game model. I’ve also noticed that the pods are missing a few details. First, the docking bay doors use the same markings as the five sets of doors on the main dock. Second, there appear to be three distinct cut-outs below each set of doors, which can be seen in the bottom right of the images below.
- Earth Spacedock - Missing Details -
I wonder if these observations could be forwarded through channels to Tumerboy. Perhaps that’s something one of you fine moderators could help with?
Well, I’m afraid they have no interest in making any improvements. I mean, just look at the comments here—our observations seem to be met with complete incomprehension. I find it very sad that most people put so little value on details and atmosphere, especially since it is the central hub of the game...
Lol if ESD was getting a "well-deserved facelift", what doesn't the Klingon and Romulan equivalents need then? They've had so little love thrown their way they don't just deserve a facelift they deserve a complete rework.
Seriously they could just as well merge everything into Fed at this point because that faction is the ONLY one getting any form of attention from the devs now.
Yeah yeah complain that too few players play the other factions all you want but that's to be expected when they DO NOT GET ANY ATTENTION!
/edit: Seriously, Federation is probably the least deserving of any sort of facelift in STO.
If the KDF wants a renewal, they can petition to receive the old ESD.
The journey to the klingon home world may take a while though.
This program, though reasonably normal at times, seems to have a strong affinity to classes belonging to the Cat 2.0 program. Questerius 2.7 will break down on occasion, resulting in garbage and nonsense messages whenever it occurs. Usually a hard reboot or pulling the plug solves the problem when that happens.
Also, looks like lighting for the ESD interior has issues. Unless it looking this way was intended. Pity. I always thought the lighting on that map was quite nice.
Edit: missing ceiling mesh in operations under the upper-level deck on the north
Comments
Well, I’m afraid they have no interest in making any improvements. I mean, just look at the comments here—our observations seem to be met with complete incomprehension. I find it very sad that most people put so little value on details and atmosphere, especially since it is the central hub of the game...
If the KDF wants a renewal, they can petition to receive the old ESD.
The journey to the klingon home world may take a while though.
Edit: missing ceiling mesh in operations under the upper-level deck on the north