rcomber

Then give basic planes at level 0 science. Upgrades for them later perhaps, but fixed wing flight should not be 3 levels into the science tree. The science system should make sense and that piece does not. You'll still get good gameplay and allow planes to do science on Kerban initially.

While, I understand how the simulation got to this point. I believe that the base science tree should start off FIRST with fixed wing aircraft, high altitude flights, space suit, etc.. before there are any manned rocket launches. Airplanes can be used to do science for all the biomes in Kerban and lead to the first sub-orbital manned rocket flights. Give me batteries before probes and allow probes to be satellites. Satellites which can perform a function, for example communication and give bonus to science when in orbit of targeted solar body. This is an alpha. Changes will be made. In my humble opinion, KSP really needs to put planes before rockets in the career mode. (Leave sandbox wide open.)

Hi Folks, I purchased KSP through Steam several days ago during the 3 year anniversary event. I played through the tutorials and have enjoyed the experience thus far. I've took some time to watch some videos on tips and how-to's as well. Yesterday, with the introduction of version .23 I started career mode. I wanted to share some observations of someone new to the game/sim. The initial challenge is opening up the tech tree. One observation right off the bat is why am I not starting with aircraft? I see this wonderful runway, I know I can get science from different areas of Kerbin. It would seem that flying there would be more realistic than trying sub-orbital manned rocket shots to get there and experiment. Heck, at least give me wheels (landing gear) and I'll try a horizontal rocket plane. 2. Why must I perform numerous manned missions before I can do unmanned probe launches? I would expect probes launches to come first and then man missions. I'd rather risk a machine than a Kerbal for new ventures. 3. Okay, now I finally got probes, but no batteries (except for the built in 10 minutes) Why don't batteries come first? 4. So I try a sub-orbital and orbital shot with a probe. How do I do science with them? (like I can with Kerbals). I now have dead probe in orbit This could be entirely my lack of knowledge on probe science collection. 5. I'm only 3 levels deep into the tech tree (two out of 4 branches) and more often than not I'm starting to get very little "new" science from my flights. Not sure I'm missing a big part, but advise is welcome. 6. Basic EVA - why aren't my Kerbals tethered to the command module (think Ed White in Gemini 4). The first time I did EVA in orbit, Jebediah did a cya later, tumbled off and did his own re-entry. Outside of quickly pressing F to grab onto the module, am I missing something here? I really love the game! I hope my comments/questions make sense.