Option to make alternate launch sites, ground stations unlockables

[Sergei Kerbalev]

When starting a new save file, there's an option to enable or disable the DSN ground stations and alternate launch sites. I'm proposing a middle option in which these facilities are initially unavailable, but then become unlocked after they are first visited.

I think this would be a pretty effective way to motivate gameplay for several reasons:

• You get the challenge of starting without these facilities without having to close yourself off from them forever
• It's a gameplay objective on Kerbin, rather than far out in the system where fewer players end up reaching
• Multiple strategies to take advantage of this: You could tech into planes first to go and find these, or build a relay network so you can search for them with probes.

It could be presented simply as anomalies to land at or there could be a career mission pointing them out. I know I'd have fun with it!

[Rocket In My Pocket]

Not a bad idea at all.

I play with the ground stations turned off personally, and wouldn't want them ever turned back on; but I can definitely see the appeal of this approach.

I really like the idea of having to visit the launch sites to unlock them though, and would make use of it!

[Gargamel]

As for the launch sites, I an see these being an option to unlock.  I like that Idea.

But for the DSN spots, I do like the idea, on the surface it's cool, but when you think about it, almost useless.   The point of having the DSN sites enabled is so you don't have to go through the process of building a Cloud around Kerbin.  If you do restrict it to just the KSC, then you know going in you're gonna need a bigger boat Commnet Cloud.  And by the time you would get to the point of unlocking the DSN sites, you have your cloud up already, making unlocking them moot.