Stretching out the early career a little for new players (as an adjunct to tutorials)

[tater]

Generally, I'd like to see the contract system change into a two-tier system. The "Explore" and other "pure science" contracts would be considered "missions" that your program dreams up vs "contracts," which are launching satellites, testing parts for subcontractors, etc.

Right now, you get those "milestone" contracts… launch a rocket, achieve an altitude of X, etc. Many new players likely don't realize that if your first launch is overly successful, you miss out on the various altitude records contracts, etc.

So how about the game has those early missions replaced with "contracts" akin to the "Explore the Mun/Minmus/Duna/etc" contracts (many would have small science rewards).:

"Achieve Spaceflight!"

This would be like the "Explore the Mun" contract, but the end goal would be leaving Kerbin atmosphere.

Internal milestones might be:

1. Launch a rocket (same as contract now)

2. Reach 5000m (same as now)

3-5(?) Same altitude records already in game, but they are sub-requirements, so if you do 2 or more in one mission, you get credit.

6. (whatever 2d to last number is) Take a crew report, or science from space.

7. Achieve orbit

Next would be:

"Suborbital Science"

(note that these contracts need not be taken, this set is really a cash farm for noobs, IMO. If they really screw up, they can do some of these to get back on their feet)

Milestones here would be various science from points in the atmosphere, and perhaps sensible parts testing (use a parachute, etc.)

Examples (add more!)

1. Take crew reports from various altitudes.

2. Safely land craft in various kerbin biomes (not too many, but water, plains, etc).

3. Stage a rocket

4. ?

Next:

"Orbital Spaceflight"

The mission requirements here would be to put spacecraft in different orbits, some defined as satellite contracts are now, perhaps. Other missions might include rendezvous. The goal is teaching new players, so the milestones should have this in mind. I'd like the clamp-o-tron-jr to be available early for this. Perhaps very low-thrust attitude control jets very early, and only the mono in the pod? The might include, for example:

1. Place spacecraft in an inclined orbit.

2. Create a highly elliptical orbit.

3. Take science/crew reports from a couple distances.

4. Do an EVA.

5. Do an EVA where you let go of the craft.

6. (assuming a docking port and attitude control) Successfully dock. (This could be a single rocket with 2 docking ports)

7. Successfully use a maneuver node to do X. (assuming a contract can check for this---it would look for the node as "green/complete")

8. Rendezvous and dock two craft launched at least XX minutes apart. (Forcing a real rendezvous as a teaching aid)

These mostly use existing mechanisms to flesh out the early game experience for new players, as well as providing guidance as to what needs to be learned.

Edited February 20, 2015 by tater

[Tex]

Hmm, I do like the idea. This would help new players quite a bit, I think, to give them practice before doing the big-boy stuff of orbital stations or even surface bases. Rendezvous is definitely a biggie that everybody has when they start playing. I support yer ideas.