KSP for iPad

[Evennot]

Hello, dear KSP devs and fans!

I would like to offer my help to build a mobile tribute to KSP.

I'm good at physics and realtime calculations under iOS. But I'm totally noob in 3D things. So let me know if there is someone who wants that too. I could build a concept (with almost no graphics ).

Just in case, concerning CPU. Modern mobile processors have a lot of calculation power. First generation iPad is capable of calculating hundreds of thousands differential equations per second on it's SIMD extension. You could literally hear it in good realtime audio equalizing algorithms. So CPU power is not a problem.

Peace!

[cyoung_mi]

If you were able to make a comparable app, I would gladly pay $20+ for that! Not sure if you could use existing mods but would be nice to see some of the popular ones like MechJeb and RemoteTech.

I'm an iOS developer too, not as good with physics games but I'd be happy to help where I can, at least beta test. ( I have a series of devices on different iOS to test with too)

[DisarmingBaton5]

Controls would be difficult to implement, no?

[Cby]

If you want a similar app for ipad, check out simple rockets.

[astropapi1]

And practically everything else.

You might want to take a look at Simple Rockets. That's the way to go.

EDIT: Ninja'd.

Edited November 18, 2013 by astropapi1

[jwenting]

right, and people already complain that development is taking a long time without having to duplicate everything to support an utterly disparate platform like that on which controls will be next to impossible so users will just complain about it being unusable anyway.

[cyoung_mi]

I guess I'm not sure why so many people think controls would be hard.

Everything is buttons, either the WASDQE on the keyboard which could easily be put on the nav ball,

or mouse clicks on part, which could be a simple touch interface.. Personally, I think the physics and over all size of the app would be hard.

simple physics like "simple rockets" or the like are ok.. but KSP has so much more to track and calculate.

Don't get me wrong, I think someone smart could do it.. and like I said above, if they were able to pull it off, I'd buy it for sure!

[Lone K.]

To solve for the controls problem, I feel that a joystick configuration would work best (but if you've got an iPad keyboard, then I guess it could be toggled?) I mean, sensitivity wouldn't be much of a problem considering that torque decides on the rotation of the craft. And a virtual joystick would negate the use of the capslock key for fine tuning rotation because of the joystick's ability to fine-tune its movements? (To put into words, push joystick towards edge of control pad to get full torque in whatever direction pushed towards, push lightly and keep near center for lower torque in any direction.) I'm not sure about docking though.

tl;dr Use a joystick configuration.

[scootersoup]

As people have already said, Simple Rockets is an option. Heck, they even link to KSP in-app. I don't think you could get a better balance of realism/resource management/platform availability without making too many people unhappy. Simple Rockets is also available via the Play Store and Amazon App store as well.

[Skyler4856]

I would personally have a system implemented that would allow access to the VAB and the SPH but, not the launch pad or runway

[Evennot]

Thank you for all these links! I really appreciate your opinions!

Simple Rockets are good. But I wanted to make something with 3D. I spent a lot of time watching other space related games (like 'Take on Mars') and lots of mods. I guess DisarmingBaton5 is right on controls issue. Maneuver nodes in any implementation I could imagine will be hard for adjustments even with a precise pointing mouse. Any slight change in one part of trajectory could become thousands on km in other. And there is no such thing as hover hightlite for overlapping controls. So I think about automated flights (somewhat MechJeb way) that sends photos to space center. 0.05 frames per second is a good enough framerate to render something beautiful. Moreover controlling something near Venus or Mars is not a realtime activity in any way.

I will post here when I make a prototype.

And btw, Skyler4856 what are the VAB and SPH?

[Squidygames]

Plz Put Kerbal space program on iPad at least a demo (that you don't need to get from the App Store)

[Fred Cop]

On 11/17/2013 at 5:12 AM, cyoung_mi said:

...Everything is buttons, either the WASDQE on the keyboard which could easily be put on the nav ball...

Why does everyone think this is a good idea?

Why does everyone make UI joysticks and buttons when porting games onto a touchscreen? Doesn't that signify the game wasn't meant for such a platform?

 

The revolutionary thing about touchscreen mobile devices (like the iPad) is the touchscreen, and how we can use it to move and manipulate objects on-screen. Making a game controlled by pressing buttons on a screen seems like an afterthought, especially if you have too many cluttering the interface, making toggling SAS or increasing the thrust almost impossible for people with big fingers.

If you want a better explanation, then please watch this informative video;

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/NBHircZu5EI?t=187

Also, let's be honest, even if it was being made you'd have to wait for a long while. Kerbal Space Program is currently being ported for consoles, and adding another port to the load won't help speed up the release of them all, meaning the developers will probably hold it back until the console ports are complete.

 

Do I want KSP available for the iPad or touchscreen platform?

Yes, but only if its done right.

I don't care if the developers would have to sacrifice visual polish, tone down the complexity of KSP's physics or remove rocket parts in order for the game to work properly, as long as I can control a rocket or craft and enjoy it without bumping into major issues.

Edited May 19, 2016 by Fred Cop

[RandomUser]

Would be cool idea.  Would be cooler if the article wasn't revived from three years ago. 

[YargJay9991]

3 hours ago, Squidygames said:

Plz Put Kerbal space program on iPad at least a demo (that you don't need to get from the App Store)

Guys this thread is 2 and a half years old. @Squidygames, welcome to the forums!  We try not to post in really old threads. It's actually against the forum rules.

Besides, the devs need to get the PC version going properly before even thinking of porting to iOS or other devices.

Also, in my opinion, KSP is too advanced to ever work on iOS. 

YargJay9991

[Val]

4 hours ago, Squidygames said:

Plz Put Kerbal space program on iPad at least a demo (that you don't need to get from the App Store)

1 hour ago, RandomUser said:

...  Would be cooler if the article wasn't revived from three years ago. 

59 minutes ago, YargJay9991 said:

Guys this thread is 2 and a half years old. @Squidygames, welcome to the forums!  We try not to post in really old threads. It's actually against the forum rules.

It is actually not against the rules to post in an old thread, if the topic is still relevant and you have something useful to contribute.

Complaining that others are necro-posting is against the rules, though (it's called necro-moaning)

If you see a necro-post, simply report it and move on.

See rule 2.5 in the forum guidelines

If you want to continue the discussion of KSP on mobile platforms, here are a couple more recent threads: