The Mod's space Vespas are a hot topic when it comes to the Book of Boba Fett, highlighting the difference between the show and fan expectations. I'm interested in this because it touches on the matter of (visual) cohesion in worldbuilding, which is of some importance to the Bonfire Stars project.
Gaudy and gleaming in power-ranger colors, with tons of extra bits and mirrors, the speeders of the Mod-Gang are clearly visually jarring. They don't fit on Tatooine, they don't fit in a desert, they don't fit in the entourage of a crime-lord successor Boba Fett claiming Jabba the Hutt's throne. And yet, in terms of worldbuilding, I like their addition to the show.
On a backwater world known for banning droids from bars and not recognizing republic credits, what do disgruntled youths do to infuriate their parents? Of course, they would get some droid parts and ride bikes looking like knock-off versions of the flying cars we see on Coruscant!
It's impractical, it's a waste of money, it looks ridiculous – just like any counter/subculture would.
These aren't a real gang or hardened criminals, not the muscle for the palace or the upcoming war. They're urchins on the streets that can keep an eye out and inform – at least so far. As far as that goes, referencing older SW in this way and taking inspiration from 50s mod culture rather than inventing yet another generic "sci-fi punks" group is a satisfying solution.
But to get to the point on worldbuilding: All that neat referencing and context doesn't change the fact that these gaudy scooters turn some people off, and at least break the visual cohesion of the world presented. Tatooine has a certain feel and atmosphere, which are worth preserving. So what to do?
In Bonfire Stars and other projects, I want to include factions, technologies, and designs that are strange and alien and different, unfitting to the style and look of known civilization. But at the same time, when creating artworks, datasheets, animations, and so on, I'm also aiming to present something recognizable, fitting, visually cohesive. How far can that be pushed?
So far, my best solution is to try and present everything through the same lens. Instead of just portraying things in the universe as-is, I'm trying to frame it all through the lens of the first introduced faction. This in-universe view should help tie everything together, by contextualizing the looks and lore of new things in the same style and framework. But, of course, that's still trying to strike a balance.
On the other hand, Star Wars has gone a few decades jumping back and forth, and by now the inconsistencies are just considered part of the style. So I won't lose much sleep over trying to get this right.
Nice.