May I suggest a mode for little kids (3 year olds)?

[Keepbro]

Dear Squad,

Firstly I do love the game and think that it is brilliant so please don't be offended when I say that I think that you may have missed a very under-represented section of the gaming market - little kids!!

For the record Kerbal Space Program is my boy's favourite game - he usually plays mission control spacebar specialist when I am playing. However this has brought to light a problem which I am fairly sure that you guys would never really anticipated in that the game is incredibly hard for little kids.

Thus I would like to suggest to either modders who might like to do something kid friendly or even to the developers proper to make what is essentially a game mode that is playable by a smart tech-savvy 3 year old. Simple one-click mouse stuff with bright colours, pre-planned missions that you can't really fail unless you really screw up and an over-the-top UI tutorial all designed in such a way so as to allow a generation of prospective kerbanauts to enjoy the game without them getting upset because of the amazing level of complexity that you have in the game.

I also think that it might be very helpful as well to first time players too.

[Grumman]

I suggested something once that would fit in well with this - an Unkillable Kerbals feature.

When a Kerbal hits the ground, they just bounce, then stand up, brush themselves off and get back to work.

When a manned capsule hits the ground, the Kerbals are ejected, then bounce and stand back up.

[Unfawkable]

Not a bad idea at all. There are already mods that practically play the game for you like MechJeb, it shouldn't be hard to make.

[Bug_]

I don't know the details of KerbalEdu but maybe that is close to what you are looking for?

[arkie87]

Not a bad idea at all. There are already mods that practically play the game for you like MechJeb, it shouldn't be hard to make.

[klgraham1013]

Although I appreciate the sentiment, not every game needs to be playable by everyone. Trying to accommodate every demographic will only lead to a sub-par product.

[mattinoz]

I don't see how anything that would move towards this wouldn't be good for the game in general.

Sure in career game we'd have to work to turn the features on but that is no different sandbox vs career.

Kerbal-Pilots who can pilot all the way to another planet and land based on a simple mission directive.

Interface that doesn't hide information just because.

Science information good enough to learn Kerbital Mechanics and dV budgets to get around the system in game.

Pre-made craft that work.

All these things to me would be great for everyone.

[Noah_Blade]

Although I appreciate the sentiment, not every game needs to be playable by everyone. Trying to accommodate every demographic will only lead to a sub-par product.

I Completely aggree if Squad wants to make Kerbal cater to teens [me] and young adults then that is how it is. besides for the most part Kerbal is literally rocket science!

[in real solar system any way]

Edited June 9, 2015 by Noah_Blade

[DSKY]

I Completely aggree if Squad wants to make Kerbal cater to teens [me] and young adults then that is how it is. besides for the most part Kerbal is literally rocket science!

[in real solar system any way]

- - - Updated - - -

I completely agree. If Squad wants to make Kerbal cater to teens and young adults then that is how it is

And if Squad decides to cater to 3-year olds, then that is how it is and you'll be OK with it?

It's fascinating to watch a 3-year old develop interest in a game intended for a much older audience. My daughter got hooked on Minecraft when she was 3. She would watch me play for hours. Then we would watch a few Minecraft videos together, and eventually my wife installed a copy for her on an old Kindle. She is six years old now, and is still excited about it. She now makes buildings that are more clever than some of mine!

Developers that create games for young children do not seem to grasp the complexity level that kids at that age are actually capable of achieving. KSP in its current state is probably just a bit too advanced for 3 or 6 y.o., but with some tweaks and assistance I think it could accommodate them, either in a kids' mode or as a separate standalone game. As such it would be a great learning tool, giving them an intuitive grasp of physics, aerodynamics, and even orbital mechanics.

You'll understand someday when you have children of your own. In the meantime, just be thankful that Squad decided to make rocket science available to teens and young adults, instead of keeping it REALLY complicated for us older individuals

[oriramikad]

Although I appreciate the sentiment, not every game needs to be playable by everyone. Trying to accommodate every demographic will only lead to a sub-par product.

That's not true. While trying to make a game that everyone will like WILL lead to a sub-par product, trying to accommodate another age demographic, one that already plays the game, is completely different. This is basically just more difficulty options to supplement the "needs to be harder!" cries of the teens and young adults.

Edited June 8, 2015 by oriramikad

[pandaman]

I think a 'kids mode' in principle is a good idea. It needn't change the main game at all, it could be another option in the 'start new game' menu that just has easier settings, and maybe fewer parts. It could be a very good way to let youngsters actually play properly.

[Canopus]

I think a 'kids mode' in principle is a good idea. It needn't change the main game at all, it could be another option in the 'start new game' menu that just has easier settings, and maybe fewer parts. It could be a very good way to let youngsters actually play properly.

This is a much better Idea.

Also why making the game easier to prevent frustration? Maybe your kids just isn't ready for this game? Why not introduce it to him later in his life so that he can really appreciate it.

[sal_vager]

KSP isn't aimed at children that young, but you might want to check out Simple Rockets, it's still not really intended for 3 year olds but may be a bit easier for them.

But honestly, games aimed at children that young tend to be extremely simple, and not really much fun for anyone older.

Interestingly, the original KSP was also 2D.

[Noah_Blade]

Yeah,I think most of squads demo graphic is around 12-25 [just my estimate] so like for toddlers they may get mad trying to go the the moon with a single fuel tank and engine...so what I do is build the rocket my little brother builds whatever payload and target moon/planet & I hook my computer up to the TV and he watches the TV as I launch.

[Tankman101]

A mod that started the spaceship in space might be cool for younger kids, the main problem right now is the ascent is brutal. If they start in space they can just learn the orbital mechanics part.

[clivman]

A mod that started the spaceship in space might be cool for younger kids, the main problem right now is the ascent is brutal. If they start in space they can just learn the orbital mechanics part.

Add a simple render of their rocket flying on the load screen and this would be great. Or they could just make it auto-pilot.

[Schmonzo]

going to the zoo with 3 year old is always a nice alternative to playing ksp, as is a playground or an adventure in the forest.

[beabop]

You could Hyperedit his rockets into orbit and turn on infinite fuel.

[Robotengineer]

IIWY, I'd just let him play sandbox. That is the best way for kids to learn, tinkering.

[Noah_Blade]

And if Squad decides to cater to 3-year olds, then that is how it is and you'll be OK with it?

It's fascinating to watch a 3-year old develop interest in a game intended for a much older audience. My daughter got hooked on Minecraft when she was 3. She would watch me play for hours. Then we would watch a few Minecraft videos together, and eventually my wife installed a copy for her on an old Kindle. She is six years old now, and is still excited about it. She now makes buildings that are more clever than some of mine!

Developers that create games for young children do not seem to grasp the complexity level that kids at that age are actually capable of achieving. KSP in its current state is probably just a bit too advanced for 3 or 6 y.o., but with some tweaks and assistance I think it could accommodate them, either in a kids' mode or as a separate standalone game. As such it would be a great learning tool, giving them an intuitive grasp of physics, aerodynamics, and even orbital mechanics.

You'll understand someday when you have children of your own. In the meantime, just be thankful that Squad decided to make rocket science available to teens and young adults, instead of keeping it REALLY complicated for us older individuals

shure mods fix most of kerbal's issues that or find a new game....