So were getting multiplayer

[mcwaffles2003]

But how are we going to use it? Lets assume we are getting at least 4 people per server... What game types are we going to make?

Obviously, we can collaborate on making one giant interconnected space network colonizing and harvesting all the planets in the system. We can also run space race competitions, if BD armory makes it over we can set up space wars or simple one planet wars.

So to those out there that actually want to play multiplayer, what do you guys want to do with it? What CAN we do with it?

[Guest]

If it's through Steam I'd like the ability to jump in my friends games or having them jump in mine, I have a chat with some friends 90% of which is us explaining our space program.

If it's with private servers I'll try to host one for me and my friends, to play in the same environment everyone with its own pace.

[Rejected Spawn]

Wasn't going to get involved in this at first due to lukewarm interest in playing with others and a depressing number of friends with the kind of brain needed to play something like KSP, however you fellows hit a home run on some very important questions... How will that mythical magic called multiplayer really work? Has anything been said about it at all other than confirming its existence, I can't recall noticing anything that stood out? Personally I'd like to know three things, listed below.

Will there be Steam connectivity allowing the type of smooth "click to join" feature @Master39 mentioned? If so that would be super great, even if it's unlikely my mentally limited friends would join me it's a "feel good option" that would just warm me a little bit inside if it exists.

Will there be cross platform mutiplayer? While it doesn't matter to me personally in a direct sense, I'm betting some not insignificant subset of the playerbase would appreciate it and that could lead to noticeably better sales figures over time which in turn leads to better funding and better chances of keeping up a high budget post launch refinement program.

Will dedicated private servers be a thing? Daring to use a bit of personal impresion I'd say KSP is a universe that attracts a more tech savvy audience than many other types of games, making privately run servers a more attractive prospect than for other games. Even I with my near non existant circle of friends have experience in running game servers from home, it's a fun way to play together even if your schedules don't overlap very often. The single glaring issue is that time warp would be very problematic this way, every player would need to always remember to set their stuff in stable orbits before they sign out or things could take a turn for the fatal if someone else goes on to fast forward a century to reach the next solar system. The issue also exists even in non dedicated servers but is limited to everyone except the host - which is likely the one most dedicated to playing the game. Star Theory must have already got this figured out long ago and by now I can't imagine the vast majority of it not already being set in stone so getting official word about this would be nice, as a way to enable daydreaming and planning in a constructive light until we get our hands on the real thing.

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, Rejected Spawn said:

Will dedicated private servers be a thing?

If either that or the Steam join feature aren't a thing multiplayer will be basically DOA, KSP is not the right game for centralized, public servers, it's already difficult enough to organize with people I know.

 

[razark]

4 hours ago, mcwaffles2003 said:

But how are we going to use it?

If watching the KSP community has taught me anything, the answer to that is "In ways that no sane person could have ever imagined."

 

[έķ νίĻĻάίή]

16 hours ago, Rejected Spawn said:

Will there be cross platform mutiplayer?

I’m pretty sure I heard yes somewhere.

15 hours ago, razark said:

If watching the KSP community has taught me anything, the answer to that is "In ways that no sane person could have ever imagined."

 

Spoiler

SUMMON THE KRAKEN!

 

[Daniel Prates]

I too was flabbergasted when it was announced that KSP 2 will have multiplayer, but no explanation was given as to what form or purpose will this multiplayer take. Concerned, even.

If for instance two guys can play, one being a fligth controller in KSC directing the mission.  and the other a pilot seeing only his surroundings, that would be up to standard with KSP's high intelligence level. Cool. There is room for good use of MP in KDP. BDA is another good example.

But then again, I have this suspicion/fear that KSP2 may turn out to be a dumbed-down game in order to attract a larger player base. Nothing in the announcements clearly point to this, to be fair. But still, some things weird me out. The unexplained form of multiplayer is one of them.

Edited February 2, 2020 by Daniel Prates

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Daniel Prates said:

Nothing in the announcements clearly point to this

Except the fact that they clearly and repeatedly stated the opposite multiple times.

Multiplayer doen't automagically mean that they're trying to turn KSP into Fortnite.

 

Also, how can you even dumb down KSP? It has orbital mechanics, it's already too hard for 99% of the sci-fi fans.

[Daniel Prates]

1 hour ago, Master39 said:

Except the fact that they clearly and repeatedly stated the opposite multiple times.

Multiplayer doen't automagically mean that they're trying to turn KSP into Fortnite.

 

Also, how can you even dumb down KSP? It has orbital mechanics, it's already too hard for 99% of the sci-fi fans.

Oh, they said it, did they?  Well we can all rest in tranquility then. And here was I worrying about nothing!

 

As to being impossible to dumb down a game: pacepalm.

[Guest]

Just now, Daniel Prates said:

As to being impossible to dumb down a game: pacepalm.

To dumb it down enough that it attracts a "larger audience" you have to remove orbital mechanics and turn it into either a Space Engineers or No Man's Sky clone, I'm not saying that's not feasible but, at that point, why even bother with the Kerbal IP? It would just start the game with a bad reputation.

 

[Daniel Prates]

19 minutes ago, Master39 said:

To dumb it down enough that it attracts a "larger audience" you have to remove orbital mechanics and turn it into either a Space Engineers or No Man's Sky clone, I'm not saying that's not feasible but, at that point, why even bother with the Kerbal IP? It would just start the game with a bad reputation.

 

A good point, I admit. My point though was, we will have to wait and see, I guess. I am mildly optimistic, lets put it like that. 

EDIT: to steer this back to the OP's point, my feeling is that when they outlined what they are aiming at with KSP2, some things are clear and they obviously gave it a good deal of though - the need for a new engine, the idea of modular colonies etc. In my perception MP is not one of them; it seems more like the kind of thing they talked amongst each other and said "hey let's throw that in too", but the fact that there is no clearly stated function for multiplayer makes me wonder if they too know or are also speculating, like I am.  Not trying to be pessimistic here; however this is a business and KSP2 is just liable to become simpler and more accessible in order to appeal to a wider buyer base. I never said "fortnite-level" tho, that was on you hehe .... 

Edited February 2, 2020 by Daniel Prates

[Guest]

Just now, Daniel Prates said:

KSP2 is just liable to become simpler and more accessible

A lot of that can come from actual tutorials and explanations inside the game and a well crafted progression system.

To me multiplayer comes as natural as colonization (or, generally speaking, uses for bases and station) and a new, optimized, code base.

It's just more difficult to get right than the other features, depending on what type of multiplayer (multi-agency or multicrew?) you want to implement and how, but there's no reason to think it's the cause of other problems or a hint to unpopular decisions by the Devs.