[Kube]

Perhaps things have changed in recent times...and, if they have, it is with little doubt the "change" has been brought upon us by the manufacture choosing the "cheapest" way vs. the correct way.

When I was trained as a mechanic, there were two simple sayings to remember which side of a head gasket went upwards. One was "up, up and away", the other "shiny side up".
These sayings were in reference to the fire ring.

Not all gaskets had markings to indicate "up" and these sayings always aided in determining the correct orientation.

In reality did it make a difference? I will never know other than to say, I never had a head gasket fail.

There is always a "correct" way of doing things and numerous "it'll work" ways of doing things.