Quote:
Originally Posted by StratoSpear
Would high development cost play a part in it as well?
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To add to what Znozzy has already posted (please correct me if I'm wrong):
IIRC, the original Gundam is supposed to be the very first EF’s MS which is build to surpass Zeon’s Zakus and other MSs. It uses beam saber and beam rifle which is more powerful than Zaku’s Heat Hawk/Rod/Axe and machine guns. So, Gundam is usually the pinnacle of MS technology during the time it was built and first activation. Later on, the enemies catches up and built MSs which are superior than the said Gundam spec-wise.
UC-wise, Gundam is also known as the one MS that can change the tide of war. It has the tendency to bring whoever the Gundam is fighting for to victory (almost like an urban legend or myth). It’s basically just one coincidence after another: the MC is an advanced newtype or gifted/talented pilot -> somehow/accidentally get to pilot a prototype MS called Gundam -> the pilot fights for the right side -> the pilot keeps on fighting and winning battle after battle and defeating enemy after enemy -> Victory -> the “Gundam” MS became a legend from time to time.
IMO, the technical definition of a Gundam in UC is really vague. You can modify a GM and replace the head with a Gundam head (with chin, v-fin, etc) and it can be officially called a Gundam like in the case of Hazel Gundams. On the other hand, a MS which is a direct development from an actual Gundam like Zeta Plus isn’t officially recognized as a Gundam despite all the similar spec it has with the original Zeta Gundam. So yeah, at the end of the day, Gundam is just a given name (by Bandai).