New Kerbal Explorer

[Randall Shelaga]

Hi, Randy from Nova Scotia, Canada.  Been following KSP for years.  Background in Aerospace Engineering...so contemplating approaching from a KSP Aerospace Test and Development.  While really interested in the full monty Career mode, I think it doesn't allow me to follow an iterative, progressive growth like was experienced in the real Space Race of the 50's, 60's, 70's...developing expertise and knowledge...

But here is the issue...new to Linux (Mint) and just getting my mind wrapped around that, and then decide to take up the challenge of installing KSP...and encountering difficulties...any assistance, guidance, words of wisdom, ancient Kerbal proverbs would be appreciated

[Geonovast]

Hello again!

I got in contact with someone who has the game from the KSP store, and they took a look at the Linux version for me.

There's no installer that you need to worry about.  When you download the game, it will come as a single .zip folder.  You need to extract that folder somewhere, it does not matter where you put it.   It's probably easiest if you just extract it straight to your Home folder.  The folder should be KSP_linux.

Inside that folder should look like this:

• GameData
• Internals
• KSP_Data
• KSPLauncher_Data
• Missions
• Parts
• Resources
• saves
• Ships
• sounds
• buildID.txt
• KSP.x86_64
• KSPLauncher.x86_64
• LegalNotice.txt
• PartDatabase.cfg
• Physics.cfg
• readme.txt

All you should have to do to launch the game is double-click on the KSP.x86_64 file.  Do not use the Launcher file.  If the game doesn't load, you may need to set the file as executable.   To do this, just right-click on the file, and go to Properties.  Then the Permissions tab, and check "Allow executing file as program".  (At least in MATE, but I'm sure the other DEs are pretty similar.  Failing that you can open a terminal in that directory and type:

sudo chmod +x KSP.x86_64

) Then click close and try to run the game again.

[Randall Shelaga]

Geonovast, thank-you for your time and trouble...all I need then is to assign the linux equivalent of a shortcut to the KSP.x86_64 file.  Out of curiousity, where is the best place to get cKan, or is there something else you would recommend to facilitate getting add-ins?

[Geonovast]

Personally I install mods manually.  It's pretty straightforward, and we can certainly help you there too.

 Best place to get CKAN would be to follow the directions in the CKAN thread.  AFAIK CKAN works on Linux, although you may need to run it in WINE.

[Randall Shelaga]

Right now looking at the threads and install instructions, the manual mod installation appears to be a drawn out affair...maybe a mountain out of a molehill, and looking in the wrong place.

 

[Geonovast]

For most mods, the instructions are essentially:

1. Download zip file.
2. Unzip.
3. Copy specific folder into your GameData folder.

You'll need to check to make sure you have any dependencies, but most mods that have dependencies are pretty common, and you only need to install the dependencies once.  If you find a specific mod you want, we can walk you through it, and help you get the hang of it.