Do you think Sandbox Mode can still be rewarding?

[John FX]

Absolutely.

Try some of the more advanced challenges, the ones only just possible even in sandbox, and you will see what I mean.

Try Eve Rocks or Jool 5 or the Grandmaster Challenge or even the Grand Tour.

Sandbox does not mean unlimited or without challenge.

It's lots of fun.

I still dream of Sandbox variation that has contracts, strategies, science rewards for experiments and everything but lets you do anything from the start. I want to see how good I run my program - by reputation, by science, by funds balance, but I don't want to grind for that.

I suppose I could be happier if starting science points could be adjusted to the amount needed to unlock all stock-part-containing science nodes, but the max amount of starting science isn't enough.

I really like this idea, maybe you could get pretty much that by working out the starting science and funds to upgrade all the buildings and unlock every node?

(or just the tech tree or just the buildings)

Then you start the game with the difficulty settings you want, exit, edit the persistent file to have the science and funds you need and Bingo!

exactly the features you want.

rinse, repeat, profit.

(I may do this actually)

[delder92663]

I agree with that - since we have a mode that has Science but no Economy, we should have a mode that has Economy but no Science. TBH I would probably play that exclusively.

That would be a super nice mode to add to the current selection.

[-RanZ-]

I would rather play sandbox than career to be honest.

[Pecan]

...I suppose I could be happier if starting science points could be adjusted to the amount needed to unlock all stock-part-containing science nodes, but the max amount of starting science isn't enough.

(and the rest agreeing)

That is already available - click the difficulty options button when starting a new game (PP 20 - 22 in 'Induction To Construction' if that's not clear).

[Brotoro]

I know that sandbox mode can be rewarding.

The question in my mind is:

"Do you think career mode could ever be rewarding?"

[Van Disaster]

I know that sandbox mode can be rewarding.

The question in my mind is:

"Do you think career mode could ever be rewarding?"

This. I do believe a career mode *could* be rewarding, but there would need to be a radical change of focus before I found it rewarding.

I wonder how much these opinions depend on whether people started before 0.23 or no...

[Dire_Squid]

I know that sandbox mode can be rewarding.

The question in my mind is:

"Do you think career mode could ever be rewarding?"

I find it rewarding as I'm no rocket/space-flight scientist, and learning what each piece of what does what on a tier-by-tier basis (since I didn't find Markiplier's Let's Plays of this game rewarding, and I'm sure he didn't either, lol... though we must ALWAYS remember the joy of the Crashy McSplodey.)

[LethalDose]

I think it's exactly rewarding now as it was when all the game had was sandbox mode.

For me, that's not very rewarding. For others, it's very rewarding. It just depends on what you like /shrug

[John FX]

Ok, just worked out that the starting funds needed for all the upgrades to the buildings is 9,800,000 and the science needed to unlock all the nodes (including the three experimental nodes on my tree at 1000 sci each) is 13098 science.

Now I know how much to put into the pot for various start scenarios.

I'm using the CIT-Cheatmenu, it seems small, unobtrusive and works.

[nothingSpecial]

(and the rest agreeing)

That is already available - click the difficulty options button when starting a new game (PP 20 - 22 in 'Induction To Construction' if that's not clear).

Thank you for your answer, but I have tried this once. The science is capped with the maximum starting amount lower than needed for stock nodes. At least so it was in 24.2.

However...

Then you start the game with the difficulty settings you want, exit, edit the persistent file to have the science and funds you need and Bingo!

exactly the features you want.

rinse, repeat, profit.

(I may do this actually)

Oh goddamit. Thank you! Why haven't I thought about it?!

[Majorjim!]

Sandbox all the way for me. Given that the career mode is as it is. Ie, dull and pointless and forces you to do missions you don't want.

The greatest mission I ever undertook was my constellation mission. 8 launches, custom made craft in sandbox. Now that's playing!

I really wanted career mode to feel like I was doing something great. For science. Not just unlocking stuff. It's my main gripe with the game. That I see a lot of people have echoed on this thread.

Perhaps squad would like to rethink career mode?

[rabidninjawombat]

I have just started playing stock size system again after a couple months of RSS, and started a career save and it has been fun. Sandbox can be rewarding, but I don't find it to be that rewarding in stock just because it is too easy to get from point A to point B. I also really dislike how there is no science in sandbox, who does it hurt to have the R&D building open in a sandbox game? I'd like to see the R&D archives available in sandbox.

I can totally agree with this. I usually play Sandbox, and i dislike how it make science parts totally pointless. I would love Science to still be available in Sandbox (if only to collect to for the sake of collecting)

[percyPrune]

Sandbox for me, too. I deal with contracts and budgets all day at work so I don't want to have to do it for fun!

I do set my own rules and challenges though. Currently setting up a tourist network. Safety & aesthetics are the rules. Enough Kerbals get killed for science. I think they deserve to return from their holidays alive!

Also made a self-imposed a rule under the "Anti Litter Interplanetary Environmental" (ALIEn) protocol. No leaving bits of junk all over the Sol system and everything is returned to Kerbin for recycling!

[keeper]

Yea, sandbox is rewarding i dont need to do anything crazy to unlock all the parts.

I am playing career, I find it is very much rewarding, yup.

Some of the contracts are outrageous, and some pay off nice.

Unlocking tech tree with contracts and exploration is cool when you pull it off, without the required 5 "testing" launch attempts etc

Nice to be able to have some customisables before career mode starts, i like a good ole cash injection booster at the start, and quicksaves/reverts.

with mods can make the career mode a bit different though.

Career mode is rewarding me thinks,

[panzer1b]

I have to say i fall into teh crowd thats been around long before career/science was implemented, and since most of my designs are purely for fun/aesthetics/combat, i really havent found any reason to play career/science modes.

All it does is limit the parts/abilities i have, and since i was used to teh game before said limits were even implemented, it just cuts down on what i can do, and as it stands doesnt offer enough incentive to actually play anything other then sandbox for me.

Still, id die for a career without any money/science option (as in let me get missions, but go about em however i feel like it, even if i end up sending a 5000dV capital ship just to plant a flag on the mun). If there is a mod that does this (or some way to enable this in stock game), im all ears, as i really like some of the missions/contracts, but i really dont like being limited in what i can build.

Then again, perhaps im one of those players that does need any specific path to enjoy a game, and imo teh lack of objectives in sandbox actually makes game really neat as i can just make new ships, explode pirates (or get exploded by pirates), fly around, make bases, and just do whatever im in teh mood for.

[Aragosnat]

I can totally agree with this. I usually play Sandbox, and i dislike how it make science parts totally pointless. I would love Science to still be available in Sandbox (if only to collect to for the sake of collecting)

Play in science mode where you just collect science points and still have sand box elements.