Part Description

[polimerjones]

One thing that I find to be getting really annoying is the parts descriptions in the game. At first it was kind of funny to read "not much is known about this part. Hope it doesn't blow you up." but now its getting old especially when you actually would like to know what the part does. Even more so with the amount of mods that add 100 parts it would be nice to know what each part does instead of that crap. I'm sure no one else agrees but for the noobs out there I think knowing what each part does is better then the funny factor. Just my opinion....

Edited July 26, 2013 by polimerjones

[theflyingfish]

What are the parts without good descriptions? If you list them out, Squad can probably try to fix them in the next update.

Also, shouldn't this be in the Development thread?

[BahamutoD]

I agree with OP. Now that I've been playing for a while and know what parts do from experimenting/watching youtube videos, its not a problem but I remember starting out having no idea what parts do or avoiding certain parts because of their description. Maybe under the joke description an actual brief explanation would have been helpful.

[polimerjones]

The reason I say that is because half of the parts have joke descriptions. BahamutoD, Its good to see atleast one person agrees with me.

Edited July 27, 2013 by shadowsutekh

[CalculusWarrior]

I see where you're coming from, but since every player's style is different, it would be difficult to list off precise functions for parts, as it would limit one's imagination somewhat. Besides, you can figure out what the parts do from their stats.

[Tw1]

Sometimes it's fair, I mean, imagine reading "This is a tank full of fuel" again for the seventh object. Boring.

Sometimes, I suspect they're encouraging you to try things out for yourself. But I'm still not certain what that funny curved fin does....

With mod parts, keep it in perspective that they are something someone has made as a hobby. They may not be as gifted in describing or writing skills, or have other things to do instead of writing a detailed description for their 100th part. Like work on that 101th part they just got an idea for....

Edited July 26, 2013 by Tw1

[stupid_chris]

Even the first time I played, I had no trouble figuring out what the part did. I mean take two seconds to look at the title of the part, it tells roughly what it is. I don't need a paragraph of explanation to guess what an engine is, or what a solar panel or battery is.

[polimerjones]

If I don't know what a part does I wont use it.

Edited July 27, 2013 by shadowsutekh
Flaming user(s)

[regex]

Even the first time I played, I had no trouble figuring out what the part did. I mean take two seconds to look at the title of the part, it tells roughly what it is. I don't need a paragraph of explanation to guess what an engine is, or what a solar panel or battery is.

Agreed. Also, a lot of the part's description is actually in the stats below rather than the description itself. Description in video games has traditionally been more flavor text rather than attempting to convey useful information that is found in the same dialogue.

[Giggleplex777]

How could knowing what different parts do lead to less creativity... If I don't know what a part does I wont use it.

I would. That's all part of the fun.

[Olvirm]

which parts are you having difficulty with? I can't think of any parts where I didn't know what it did

[CalculusWarrior]

<Comment removed>

Ooooh, that burn was so harsh, I think you deorbited! But seriously, I enjoy the silly part descriptions and like TW1 says, it keeps things from being too bland.

The reason I said that part descriptions might lead to decreased creativity is that everybody plays KSP differently, and the person who writes the description might unconsciously force new players into thinking of a part to be used in one way, when it can be used in several.

For example, take the LV-T45 & LV-T30 engines. While they have often been used for light launch vehicles, players have been known to cluster them together on heavy lifters to provide a more efficient stage.

Edited July 27, 2013 by shadowsutekh
inappropriate user's quoteed text removed.

[shadowsutekh]

Moved to development and support.

This thread can remain open as long as users remain civil. The forum rules are very clear that harassment of other users is not acceptable.