Career Mode and Beta Implications

[jwenting]

Not quite how versions numbers works.

especially as there is no fixed way for them to work

Product I worked on went from 2.0 to 10.0 in one release, simply because marketing wanted to synchronise numbers across our product line

[Androsynth]

Items like redone aerodynamics, re-entry heat, etc. all strike me as obstacles or challenges on your way to accomplishing some objective. There are plenty of obstacles already - balancing mass/thrust/lift, planning delta V requirements for missions of a variety of durations, learning to pilot a craft effectively and efficiently, performing orbital maneuvers, engineering stages and action groups, and on and on. But for KSP to be a great *game*, it also needs the objective side of the equation to be fleshed out. I think that was the driving force behind the push for moving more toward "Career mode." Why are you going to put a kerman on the moon? Well, to impress the Kerbin public and secure more funding for the program, of course. Can't do squat without funding. Why are you struggling to put rovers on the surface of Duna? To do science, of course. Can't do squat without science!

So, I guess the biggest feature I'm expecting to see will be economic in nature. Some sort of system for evaluating the accomplishments of the Kerbal Space Program, and delivering a monetary reward for those accomplishments that can then be used to expand the program's reach. Only then are we truly running managing a space program.

[manskal]

What is your idea of real career mode?[/

The devs have said that .22 includes just the first iteration of career mode, thus implying that there are many more to come. Besides, the eventual implementation of resources and the full currency system will have drastic effects on career mode, so I don't see Squad releasing the final career mode before the aforementioned features are implemented into the game.

Perhaps I should have written the 'real career mode' as 'finished career mode'.

Anyway, just my two cents.(Or 0.06 sen where I live:D)

[technicalfool]

Product I worked on went from 2.0 to 10.0 in one release, simply because marketing wanted to synchronise numbers across our product line

Indeed. Ladies and Gentlemen of the juryforums, I present the debacle known as "Windows Phone".

So is it version 8, or version 2?

[SRV Ron]

It should start out with using probes for suborbital testing, then graduate to using Kerbals for more advanced scientific research. That is what I have been playing with this week with building basic sub orbital and orbiting craft. I'm sure things will change with testing and comments about what is currently available.

Have downloaded the update and will be playing with career mode soon.

[spikeyhat09]

... I mean, what else is there to alpha test? Game engine? Done. ...

BaHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

*inhales

ahem, excuse me

...

HAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA

but seriously? was that a joke?

[Moonfrog]

I think most important part is physics engine. When they got that to do everything its meant to do in the way they want it to do it. They also need a full solar system that's interesting to explore orbit and land on.

As for Add on's I can think of one obvious Add on. With certain news that is already out there that might give interest to it is a colinisation Add on. COloinse and build moon city, or go to mars and set up labaroties on mars. Build asteroid mining base and refuel centre.

Another Add on, could be Space race Add on. sort of multiplayer game where you challenge your opponent to do something, then raise the stakes. Or race to the Mun or something first back wins a green pie. Alternatively cooperative missions. I think People would love that.

Also Pre made scenarios and challenges. in another Add on. Rescue Bob etc. Or repair the international Kerbal dustbin with satilite tv in space in space.

[PDCWolf]

But is that going to keep them in alpha until they do those things? I would say you could do the new planets in beta or maybe some type of DLC. I see the point about aerodynamics though.

Alpha means more time into features, less time into fixing, even if squad takes an exceedingly annoying time at fixing things (maybe they overdo it). Beta is polishing, making sure everything works flawlessly and in a coherent and balanced way. After that, the release candidates, then final release.

As of now, we are missing a lot of promised things (which obviously doesn't mean they have to do them) like better aerodynamics, spaceplane parts overhaul, more parts, more planets, resources, and all that beautiful list that is on the what not to suggest thread marked as green or blue, I can't remember.

[FlamedSteak]

It seems like 0.22 is a big step, but i'd this game is only 70-80% of the way there before beta.

Resources (mining), additions to career mode, graphical enhancements (clouds and giving the other planets the same level of awesomeness as the Mun) and tweaking the engine and textures to be as effecient as possible. Also other things like building self sufficient bases, off-kerbin launch pads...etc.

There's still a ton of features that can be added.

[Makeone]

Hmm, 78 more patches required, so approximately 39 years? Assuming 2 patches per year, they may get it done in 25 years, if they speed up and so 3 patches a year....yay

[Vade]

i'd say they should finish the engine and physics now, add realistic drag and aerodynamic models and so on..

then they can go beta and add content like parts, planets and career missions.

I don't believe you (or a lot of people in this thread) understand the definition of beta.

Beta is the point where the game is nearly finished. So at the point of beta, there are no new gameplay additions. Maybe some parts here and there but mostly just bug fixes.

Alpha is where the game itself is heavily modified and different gameplay aspects are added/altered. Such as adding the basis of a career mode .

[softweir]

These definitions are rather loose, but most people here accept that KSP will enter beta once all content has been added and there is nothing left but debugging.

[Lone K.]

They'll probably still make more parts, as there are clearly more things defined in the "Planned Features" thread.