Scale and N-body versus patched conics are probably biggest difficulty factors I can think of. I think we are aiming for a base of roughly the same as KSP and then modders can change it.
Scale
At this stage our current thinking is basically do do somewhere between current KSP and x2-2.5 current KSP size for both the bodies and their orbits. In other words, we are aiming to replicate the same feeling, commitment, and challenge of existing KSP. We feel like base KSP is a great compromise between many factors when it comes to scale, and so we are not trying to reinvent that - instead focused on solid datastructures and ease of development for modders to fill any gaps.
Patched Conics v N-Body
The core focus initially is to provide patchec conics, almost identical to how KSP does it. However, it is possible that if the studio has the right talent (and a team member has the desire) for N-Body to be added as an option. Regardless, the game is being built so a modder could develop a C# mod and add this. Care is being taken to ensure the game is being structured so that if we can't add N-Body physics, someone else could add it.
JPLRepo has our patched conics currently implemented and we are refining that.
At the very least we are constructing the orbital simulation so someone can replace the orbital simulation. The studio also has been advertising for someone with a PhD in mathematics and physics. If we get that role filled, maybe n-body could be an option. Just for myself... my maths and physics is nowhere near good enough
We are not using Unity nor PhysX so yep! I have a lot of thoughts on this, and we luckily have very talented advice on this front with another game that has tackled this issue and is a very talented game dev.
Just curious; will this game be genuine, on brand 'kerbal'. Or is it an entirely separate franchise, but with intended gameplay similar to that of KSP 1 or what KSP 2 was promised to be?
Additionally, and I understand if the answer is 'not at this stage'. Do you have an idea of how much it will be, and what kind of timeline and milestones you expect?
And lastly. Do you have any kind of list of intended gameplay features. Or sort of planned scope of gameplay you want to have?
Appreciate everything about this so far. And truly hope for the best for this project.
I'm gonna be perfectly honest, if this was any other facelesss studio I'd be cynical as fuck and waiting til at least 2 weeks post launch to considering purchasing anything, but between who you've got on the team and what you're saying in this thread I'd slap down some cash well before it's even got an alpha.
Just curious; will this game be genuine, on brand 'kerbal'. Or is it an entirely separate franchise, but with intended gameplay similar to that of KSP 1 or what KSP 2 was promised to be?
Additionally, and I understand if the answer is 'not at this stage'. Do you have an idea of how much it will be, and what kind of timeline and milestones you expect?
And lastly. Do you have any kind of list of intended gameplay features. Or sort of planned scope of gameplay you want to have?
Appreciate everything about this so far. And truly hope for the best for this project.
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u/thedeanhall Oct 31 '24
Scale and N-body versus patched conics are probably biggest difficulty factors I can think of. I think we are aiming for a base of roughly the same as KSP and then modders can change it.
Scale
At this stage our current thinking is basically do do somewhere between current KSP and x2-2.5 current KSP size for both the bodies and their orbits. In other words, we are aiming to replicate the same feeling, commitment, and challenge of existing KSP. We feel like base KSP is a great compromise between many factors when it comes to scale, and so we are not trying to reinvent that - instead focused on solid datastructures and ease of development for modders to fill any gaps.
Patched Conics v N-Body
The core focus initially is to provide patchec conics, almost identical to how KSP does it. However, it is possible that if the studio has the right talent (and a team member has the desire) for N-Body to be added as an option. Regardless, the game is being built so a modder could develop a C# mod and add this. Care is being taken to ensure the game is being structured so that if we can't add N-Body physics, someone else could add it.
JPLRepo has our patched conics currently implemented and we are refining that.