Just something I was mulling over the other day.
Most of the major factions in Freespace--the GTA, the PVE, and so on--have their own stylized logos. The NTF, the HOL, and even the SOC all have duly impressive insignias. However, two of the most important groups in the series--the Shivans and the Ancients--have no apparent designs of any sort. It seems rather unfair.
Has anyone ever considered drawing up a Shivan or Ancient logo?
We're fairly certain that the Ancients controlled a vast interstellar empire, indicating they would be likely to display a brand or symbol of some kind as a sign of their power and influence. Since there is some evidence suggesting that the Vasudans are descended from the Ancients, then the symbol might be similar to that employed by the PVE.
As to the Shivans, however, we can only speculate. We don't know if the Shivans operate on a government of any kind, and given their xenocidal tendencies, it's unlikely they would give a damn whether anyone recognized their emblem or not. I think it might be fun, however, just to establish a design for them; it provides an excuse to play around with their trademark sharp-edged black-and-red style and create something nifty.
Just a thought.
On a semi-related note, I know it's possible to change the color of a subspace jump portal, but is it possible to link a given portal color to a certain species? The FS Reference Bible indicates that originally, the Lucifer always made use of a blood-red jump portal--something that was illustrated in the cutscene debuting the Lucifer itself, a scene that was unfortunately cut from the game--and I think it would make a really nifty visual effect if it could be applied to certain Shivan ships or to the Shivans in general, without also being applied to the remaining species.
Probably more of a source code issue than an artistic one, but I know you code geeks read this forum too, so here you are.
