What platform should I buy for?

[sjreynolds143]

Greetings.

I have been trying out the demo version with a view to buying it properly, and so far so fun. Countless crashes - my favourite was the time my stages released the clamps before the engines fired, and my unbalanced rocket fell over and exploded on the launch pad. I also laughed hysterically as the command module fell back to Kerbin from the upper atomosphere without the EVA-ing Kerbal! Oops.

Anyway, I am running the Windows demo, because I couldn't get the Mac one to work on my 2014 Macbook Pro - it stuck on the loading screen. It's nothing to do with the Macbook specs, because the Windows demo is playing inside a Win10 Virtual Machine on the same Macbook. But I also have an Xbox One. So should I get the Windows version that I know works, the Xbox version, or go for the native Mac version and hope that I can persuade it to start?

And if anyone has any handy "how to make it work on a Mac" hints, then do let me know - I've tried all the obvious ones that I can find online

Thanks

Stuart

 

[linuxgurugamer]

The demo is old,v which might be part of you issues.

Go with the PC one, it's the latest and you can get mods

[DrLicor]

If you want the most fun for yourself, buy pc. Not for the PC masterrace, but for the possibilities, fixes etc. Console needs some to get fixed and updated. While with pc, you install a bunch of mods, to make the game completely to your own liking.   

[Streetwind]

The Xbox version is a port, which means it will always lag behind in terms of updates by several months (at minimum). You'll also miss out on the huge modding community that KSP has. There's enough people who play the Mac version, from what I gather, but I have no experience with it, so I can't advise.

However, the Mac and Windows versions are actually the same purchase. At least, on Steam they are (no idea about the Squad store, due to lack of experience). If you buy on Steam, you can download the Mac client, try it out, and if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, download the Windows client instead. No repurchase necessary. Heck, you can have both installed at the same time.

Edited January 27, 2017 by Streetwind

[sjreynolds143]

26 minutes ago, Streetwind said:

However, the Mac and Windows versions are actually the same purchase. At least, on Steam they are (no idea about the Squad store, due to lack of experience). If you buy on Steam, you can download the Mac client, try it out, and if it doesn't work to your satisfaction, download the Windows client instead. No repurchase necessary. Heck, you can have both installed at the same time.

That's useful to know. Does having Steam involved slow the game down at all?

[linuxgurugamer]

Even on the Squad store, all three versions are included in the single purchase price

[steuben]

Win, Lin, and Mac all walk into a bar... sorry that's the start of a bad joke. The PC versions are all the same version.

Right now, I too will recommend the PC version over the consoles. The very... passionate discussions that have been happening the console support areas are suitable reason, as well as mods, and such. But with the change in Console developers things may improve.

So if you have only 50 usd to spend once, go with the PC version. But if you like your consoles wait for the next update.

[Johnny Wishbone]

I purchased through Squad, not Steam, and I also can confirm that the Mac, PC, and Linux versions of the game are all available there. You are not locked into any one download, so if you download the Windows version of the game and then want to try the Mac version, you can just go back and download that too.

 

Edit to add that based on what I see in the forums here, a lot of people who bought the console version are less than satisfied with the game as well as the support (or lack thereof) they have been getting for it. For the most part, the console port seems buggy and broken, and Squad is long on promises to fix and short on actually delivering those fixes.

Edited January 27, 2017 by Johnny Wishbone

[Sharpy]

11 minutes ago, sjreynolds143 said:

That's useful to know. Does having Steam involved slow the game down at all?

Not at all. You don't even need Steam running - use it only as installer/updater; open the game folder and make a desktop shortcut to KSP_x64.exe on your desktop, bypassing both Steam and Launcher.

(also, it's good to only update manually or copy the game out of the Steam folder; mod updates lag behind game updates and Steam can break your save by updating KSP while your mods won't load.)

Use the Squad's store though to give a little more money to Squad and less to Gabe.

[eddiew]

PC for sure.

Consoles are permanently months behind the curve, and PC opens you up to all the mods and the massive replay-ability that springs from it. Mac support seems to be iffy, sometimes updates kill their launcher for a week or two, if memory serves.

[SkyHook]

Buy the PC version. It has the most mods, is the original, and arguably the best supported (as opposed to the console versions). if you have a choice, choose PC.

[sjreynolds143]

1 hour ago, Johnny Wishbone said:

I purchased through Squad, not Steam, and I also can confirm that the Mac, PC, and Linux versions of the game are all available there. You are not locked into any one download, so if you download the Windows version of the game and then want to try the Mac version, you can just go back and download that too.

Ah. I misread the FAQ. I thought it said that it was a platform specific purchase but now see that it was referring to the console ports. That makes it an easier choice!

[Whisky Tango Foxtrot]

The GOG version also gives you all three home computer versions of the game, and doesn't require that you run any additional client to install.

[Corw]

55 minutes ago, Whisky Tango Foxtrot said:

The GOG version also gives you all three home computer versions of the game, and doesn't require that you run any additional client to install.

GOG version can often lag few days in updates compared to KSP store/Steam.

KSP store often has bandwidth problems on release days.

If you already have Steam, I would prefer getting it there.

 

Once you buy it either from KSP store/GOG/Steam you can't switch.

[MaxxQ]

Any version you buy (for a computer that is - not consoles), you can drag the whole thing out of the steam (or GoG) folder and place the entire game file on your desktop (or wherever's most convenient for you).  No need to have steam at all once you get the game, aside from updates.  You can also have as many copies as you wish on your comp.  I have about 20 or so copies of KSP on mine - several numerical versions, stock, and the same versions, modded.  1.2.1 and 1.2.2 have a third version - they're modded, but specifically for Galileo's Planet Pack.

Edited January 28, 2017 by MaxxQ

[Mahnarch]

PC is best.

Keyboard. Mouse, joystick (optional), PS4 Dual-Shock Controller for PC (optional), XBox controller for PC (optional).

 

So many options!

[N_Danger]

 I will put my voice in with the folks saying get PC/Mac for the mods.

[Rune]

To summarize what everybody is saying here, and to add my two cents: go for the PC version, preferably on the KSP store. There are reasons!

-Always the latest release (or the previous one, in case the latest is broken), without any extras installed, for win/mac/linux, downloadable at will anywhere once you have your license and your account.

-Maximum possibilities of input/output: keyboard, mouse, joystick, controller, and display it on any monitor you can hook your computer to.

-Even if you don't like them, it's always better to have the option to install mods. You might change your mind later.

-You get the highest percentage of your money directly to the developers of the thing you enjoy. However good an intermediary Steam may or may not be, it's an intermediary, and they don't live off the air.

 

Rune. So yeah, welcome to the community!

[Guest]

On 27/01/2017 at 1:10 PM, DrLicor said:

Not for the PC masterrace, but for the possibilities, fixes etc.

Isn't that exactly what 'PC master race' refers to?

Edited January 28, 2017 by Guest

[something]

As far as I got it, the original usage of PCGMR was kind of a joke, mocking people to invest tons of money in order to be part of some elite which offered doubtable advantages at best. It was then recoined to its current meaning in a subreddit which apparently started as a joke as well. Finally, when kids came around who knew nothing of the philosophy of 1930s Germany (seriously, why do you let such persons browse the web? ? ) the term got its current meaning..

Apparently there's some thought police here, censoring the abbreviation of the word NAtionalsoZIalist to pedant...

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Master_Race

 

Edited January 29, 2017 by something
Orwellian thought police denied the existence of pedant Germany

[Cmaj6]

Just to get the votes even higher: go for PC-version. Even if you don't like mods, believe me, with this game, you WILL love mods.

Currently tracking 401 hours ingame time and still counting (and consider this, i'm not even a true gamer lol; so imagine the fun this game gives you!)

[pandaman]

If you have access to play on PC/Mac then definitely go for that option over console, for all the reasons given already.

My own personal preference is for buying from Squad store rather than Steam, but I don't think there is much difference in practical terms. 

[sjreynolds143]

OK, thanks for all the advice. Bought the PC version from Squad!

Hello! I'm new to KSP