Interesting info about the new unannounced stylized science-based adventure game coming after KSP2

[Vl3d]

There are some new job posting containing some relevant information about the team for the new unannounced stylized science-based adventure game coming after KSP2:

Senior Narrative Designer: "content and systems designers to deliver stories and characters that come alive in the game world ... build a lighthearted universe, layer a story that takes players on an adventure where any problem can be solved creatively, and provide compelling, universe-consistent grounding for gameplay systems". "Interest in space travel, and science in general." https://careers.take2games.com/job/4723532?gh_jid=4723532

Senior Systems Designer: "players will build and command vehicles to interact realistically with the universe". "Passion for sandbox and builder games. Curiosity about rocketry and space travel." https://careers.take2games.com/job/4723530?gh_jid=4723530

Senior Technical Artist: "An understanding of game art rendering and lighting pipelines, including HLSL shader coding experience. A high level of familiarity with Houdini or an industry-standard equivalent." https://careers.take2games.com/job/4655685?gh_jid=4655685

Senior Environment Artist: "Establish worldbuilding pipelines and build out environments for stylized science-based games ... environmental storytelling. Create environments that not only look beautiful, but are deeply tied to gameplay. Translate the game’s visual design language into explorable worlds". https://careers.take2games.com/job/4537951?gh_jid=4537951

My guess is that it's set in the Kerbal universe (doh). They're looking for experience in either Unity or Unreal, Houdini.. so it must be 3D-ish. I've got a feeling the franchise is all going to be way bigger than some of us expected.

[Bej Kerman]

10 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

My guess is that it's set in the Kerbal universe (doh). They're looking for experience in either Unity or Unreal, Houdini.. so it must be 3D-ish. I've got a feeling the franchise is all going to be way bigger than some of us expected.

We have 0 reason to assume it's got to do with KSP.

10 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

Senior Environment Artist: "Establish worldbuilding pipelines and build out environments for stylized science-based games ... environmental storytelling. Create environments that not only look beautiful, but are deeply tied to gameplay. Translate the game’s visual design language into explorable worlds". https://careers.take2games.com/job/4537951?gh_jid=4537951

The people that worked on Outer Wilds would be perfect for this.

[MechBFP]

If it is related to KSP it is 100% DLC.

[Vl3d]

16 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

We have 0 reason to assume it's got to do with KSP.

28 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

Senior Systems Designer: "players will build and command vehicles to interact realistically with the universe". "Passion for sandbox and builder games. Curiosity about rocketry and space travel." https://careers.take2games.com/job/4723530?gh_jid=4723530

29 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

Senior Narrative Designer: "Interest in space travel, and science in general."

Sounds like K to me...

[Bej Kerman]

26 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

45 minutes ago, Bej Kerman said:

We have 0 reason to assume it's got to do with KSP.

57 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

Senior Systems Designer: "players will build and command vehicles to interact realistically with the universe". "Passion for sandbox and builder games. Curiosity about rocketry and space travel." https://careers.take2games.com/job/4723530?gh_jid=4723530

57 minutes ago, Vl3d said:

Senior Narrative Designer: "Interest in space travel, and science in general."

Sounds like K to me...

Why would Take Two need 2 identical games? If it's a space flight simulator like KSP 2 I am certain it will not be another Kerbal game. Besides, plenty of SFS games exist besides KSP, you can't just assume it's K because it has space flight in the blurb.

[Dragorans]

KSP: Story mode

[Minmus Taster]

I certainly hope it has to do with KSP (though it would be nice if the franchise stayed confined to just the current games) but probably not since KSP2 isn't even out yet and the things they're describing don't sound like anything that have anything to do with the series.

[Gargamel]

As this is not about KSP2, it has been moved to the lounge. 

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

It's a third person science exploration game utilizing the Kerbolar universe; but you don't have to do the difficult stuff of flying a craft using the physics-based rules governing KSP/2.  You do, however, need to build / design spacecraft that can take you where you need/want to go and have rovers and other tools to help you get the job done when you get there - again, using assets from KSP2 likely.  You just don't have to worry about Delta Vee and understanding orbital mechanics (at least not to the extent required by KSP/2).

You advance by making discoveries, combining knowledge from different fields and follow a fairly light 'story' to develop your Kerbal and their knowledge of the universe.  Lots of 'sandbox' like interactions; you're free to do what you want, play at your own pace or follow the story to the end.

There may be creatures.

[Vl3d]

1 hour ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

It's a third person science exploration game utilizing the Kerbolar universe; but you don't have to do the difficult stuff of flying a craft using the physics-based rules governing KSP/2.  You do, however, need to build / design spacecraft that can take you where you need/want to go and have rovers and other tools to help you get the job done when you get there - again, using assets from KSP2 likely.  You just don't have to worry about Delta Vee and understanding orbital mechanics (at least not to the extent required by KSP/2).

You advance by making discoveries, combining knowledge from different fields and follow a fairly light 'story' to develop your Kerbal and their knowledge of the universe.  Lots of 'sandbox' like interactions; you're free to do what you want, play at your own pace or follow the story to the end.

There may be creatures.

Your theory is closer to the evidence, but it they are working on "Story Mode", why not just integrate it into KSP2 "Adventure Mode"? Better yet, I still have a gut feeling Intercept sees the potential of a KSP MMO. It would revolutionize the genre.

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

6 hours ago, Vl3d said:

why not just integrate it into KSP2

I first thought it was a posting for an upcoming KSP2 DLC.  They've got so much invested, it just seemed like a clean inference that was what they were doing. 

Problem is that since the the job announcement, they've announced EA and its roadmap. 

When I compare the two - I don't see DLC as likely. So... What then?  Well - they have enormous IP and goodwill over a game rumored to be very hard and only for the committed. Lots of people are charmed by the idea and the Kerbals, try the game and are daunted by the complexity... Then drift away. 

From a business standpoint - how do they capture those people? They know people already like the idea of Kerbal - so if the devs make an entirely different game, they can sell Kerbal-Lite without offending the current player base.  More casual players who want to build stuff and explore the universe in a fun and undaunting way, can, and with the core features not being so heavily tilted towards orbital mechanics they can make the science and exploration a richer experience. 

Mind you - I've pulled this out of thin air 

Spoiler

 

...but then again - it's Magic! 

[Vl3d]

13 minutes ago, JoeSchmuckatelli said:

I first thought it was a posting for an upcoming KSP2 DLC.  They've got so much invested, it just seemed like a clean inference that was what they were doing. 

Problem is that since the the job announcement, they've announced EA and its roadmap. 

When I compare the two - I don't see DLC as likely. So... What then?  Well - they have enormous IP and goodwill over a game rumored to be very hard and only for the committed. Lots of people are charmed by the idea and the Kerbals, try the game and are daunted by the complexity... Then drift away. 

From a business standpoint - how do they capture those people? They know people already like the idea of Kerbal - so if the devs make an entirely different game, they can sell Kerbal-Lite without offending the current player base.  More casual players who want to build stuff and explore the universe in a fun and undaunting way, can, and with the core features not being so heavily tilted towards orbital mechanics they can make the science and exploration a richer experience. 

Mind you - I've pulled this out of thin air 

  Hide contents

 

...but then again - it's Magic! 

Makes sense. I don't think it's 2D-ish KSP for mobile. Maybe an RPG..

Edited December 13, 2022 by Vl3d

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

1 hour ago, Vl3d said:

Maybe an RPG

Maybe.  But I kind of doubt they're going full Assassin's Creed on this.  I see it as more of a Minecraft-lite, likely multiplayer (no time warp to worry about b/c handwavium), build-and-play and explore to do SCIENCE!!! type game.

There are some real possibilities in 'doing science' that can be both fun and educational.  Like really fun and really educational.  They can take some of the very many ideas we've thrown at them in the 'KSP2 Science' thread and work it into a new game.  You can have different Kerbals with different specialties that go out and do 'stuff' (geologist, biologist, zoologist, chemist, engineer... you name it).

Players could start off with a small number of Kerbals, grow their 'teams' and build stuff to do stuff; maybe you need a ship to carry a pair of trucks and an excavator to another planet / location where you offload miners and set up a lab to do ISRU / Science.  Your team will need a pilot, truck drivers, on-site researchers (various science specialties), engineers, etc.  While there, you discover a deposit that needs a different set of specialized equipment to explore/exploit and once you unlock that, you can build the new thing and recruit a new Kerbal to bring to that location and do new science/ extract new resources.  Along the way, while you are playing a game, you learn not only about the Kerbolar Universe - but also about real science that can be done here on earth.  If done right, they can do for 'the sciences' what KSP did for 'orbital mechanics and rocketry'.

 

So many possibilities.

Edited December 13, 2022 by JoeSchmuckatelli

[AtomicTech]

Ooh! I can't wait!

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

2 hours ago, AtomicTech said:

Ooh! I can't wait!

You realize that the chance I'm correct is slightly higher than the chances of winning the lottery 

[AtomicTech]

I know, but it's an awesome concept!

Maybe someone out there will pick this up; you never know

[JoeSchmuckatelli]

20 hours ago, AtomicTech said:

I know, but it's an awesome concept!

Maybe someone out there will pick this up; you never know

I agree it would be a totally fun game to play.