not to sound arsey. . .

Peoples opinions on the style are opinion, some will like it some wont (I like it, I dont want the HUD to look like it came from Wipeout 3 or 2097 but thats my opinion and its not my final decision anyway, it lies with the Art and Game director so my opinion on the style is actually not that relevant)

The first iteration was changed because there was significant opinion within the team to change it. This second iteration is liked far more with in the team.

Opinion on the functionality such as 1up mentioning ease of glancing critical info has been taken on board and that is why it has been refined slightly. But we cant go changing styles to suit feedback, some people dislike it, some like it, who do you listen to ? in the end you listen to the people concerned in the crafting of it, and trust their judgement.

As for having the opportunity to change it, (even if we wanted to which we dont) thats a huge and incorrect assumption at this stage of development