How hard would it be to make a SIM mod that does this? So we could test it for ourselves. We could test for performance or look at how it affects aesthetics so we can decide evaluate the trade-offs involved.
Also I assume that you would have to basically do the same work to prepare the SIM mod as to make these changes to the main branch of FAF itself. So there is essentially zero wasted effort in taking the time to make this SIM mod.
If you just plug the changes directly into the dev branch, it would be a lot harder to compare with/without the changes, because there may be other differences in the dev branch. And every time we load up a game with the dev branch, doesn't it have to download lots of files? Like if we wanted to go back and forth between regular FAF and the dev branch to test it, it would be a pain. But if you just make a SIM mod it would be easier for us to see the difference.
Alternatively: make a SIM mod that adds new units: a new hive with the changed animations. Then we could run a single game, cheat in some units/buildings, and put regular hives on one side and new hives on the other side. And then we could watch them work at the same time. So we could do a side-by-side splitscreen comparison of the aesthetics with both running. And then run only one side at a time to check performance with the other side hives paused.