The Art of EVE
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Book Summary Information
Editor: Reynir HardarsonContributor: Asgeir Jon Asgeirsson
Contributor: Benjamin Bohn
Contributor: B. Borkur Eirikksson
Contributor: Fridrik Orn Haraldsson
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-09-12
ISBN: 1588467481
Number of pages: 160
Model: 11010
Publisher: White Wolf Publishing
Book Reviews of The Art of EVE
Book Review: Absolutely Beautiful
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't believe I'm going to be the first one to review this product. It surprises me some "EVE Online" fan hasn't already hopped on this yet.
Yes, that's right; I'm not an "EVE Online" fan. I tried two trial subscriptions and it just didn't do anything for me. I found the interface clunky and not intuitive at all and the setting felt very, very lonely. It's supposed to be an MMO, right? Where is everyone? I guess looking at ships that act as a player's avatar as opposed to something more... bipedal might contribute to this.
But, this isn't supposed to be a review of the game. It's supposed to be a review of "The Art of EVE." I wanted to preface my review by making it clear I'm not some fanboy fawning over anything and everything that has to do with the object of my affections. I have some serious problems with the game and its fundamental gameplay. That said, it's a very pretty game. One might even use the word `gorgeous.'
That is why I purchased this book. Well, that and I'm a sucker for art books in general, video game art books in particular (I'm looking at you "World of Warcraft" and "Guild Wars" art books...).
I was a bit worried about the $50 price tag but upon securing it's release from my local comic book shop (yes, I didn't buy it from Amazon) I see that the price is well worth it.
The book comes protected in a nice metallic grey plastic sleeve featuring its name in bold black letters. The book cover itself, covered in an off white semi-see-through thin papery/plastic-like dust jacket featuring the title of the book again in black lettering (except that the word "EVE" is cutout to reveal the book underneath), features a cloudy ethereal scene of dirty blues and grays punctuated by a single light source refracted behind the clouds to illuminate it all. The title of the book is again repeated on the cover in clear glossy text that is all but invisible unless held at a particular angle.
The book is divided into five sections and inside you'll find everything from developer interviews and insights into their process to early concept sketches, completed paintings and models, and looks into the artistic direction they're going to take the game in the future.
There's isn't a single thing I could think of adding to make this book better. I may have removed the pages dedicated to tile art (only two) and some interface screenshots but that's simply personal taste and fans may really like that stuff. I would have filled those pages with more beautiful ship designs, which are already abundant, but it is interesting to see the variety of icons present within the game - something most people, fans or otherwise, would probably overlook.
Let's quickly talk about the ships if we could. They are simply remarkable. All the work put into making each of the game's four factions visually unique from one another is plain to see on the page and that's where it should be. I think any fan of sci-fi ship design would find little if anything to complain about when it comes to the buffet of choices offered in this volume.
The Titans in particular are breathtaking. The one featured on pages 94 and 95 is my favorite. I'd say it was Amarr if I had to guess.
Part Five of the book has me most excited about the game itself. I'm a fan of first-person shooters and I'd like to hope "EVE Online" is moving in a direction that may offer something to me: Ground combat. Having fleshed out space the developers are looking to flesh out the character scale game. Both on space stations and planet side (a game I'm fond of BTW - "Planetside"). If "EVE Online" wants to be a fully function universe (not just a setting) this is a realm of gameplay it should enthusiastically embrace. I think "Battlefield 2142" (and even the aforementioned "Planetside") gives the developers of "EVE Online" some good examples of where sci-fi ground combat can go. This section of the book shows us concept designs of ground- and planet-based vehicles as well as building interiors where it's clear characters are supposed to interact.
So, I think I've made it clear that I'm very happy with this book and I cannot stress enough it's not just for fans of the game. If you like sci-fi art, or just plain `ole good art in general, this is a solid buy.
Leave it open on your coffee table sometime and see who gets attracted to it. It's beautiful and anyone will a pair of functioning eyes will want to check it out.
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