Difficulty levels?

[Algiark]

In future KSP, when everything's in place, do you think there will be difficulty levels in Career mode? If we use add-ons as examples, I think it would be something like:

-Easy: what KSP is now, with full MechJeb functionality, less science to unlock tech.

-Normal: KSP with RemoteTech feature, only basic MechJeb functionality (circularize, set Ap/Pe, execute node, etc), moderate science to unlock tech.

-Hard: KSP, RemoteTech, Deadly Reentry, Life Support, no MechJeb whatsoever, lots of science to unlock tech.

Yes, I know KSP is a single player game and you can play it anyway you want, but these difficulty levels just seem so natural...

[Superfluous J]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if they had difficulty levels, though I won't even bother to speculate what would be in each level.

[Kingtj44]

Y? Just get mods to make it harder if you want. Lets you get creative with how hard career can be.

[relin]

I expect vanilla KSP to be "Normal" and mods can adjust difficulty from there. Either that, or vanilla will be "Hard" and mods just make it easier.

I'd prefer the former over the latter, to be honest.

[alacrity]

I would imagine that instead of standard EASY< NORMAL<HARD modes I think there will be aspects you can turn on and off to increase difficulty.

By this I mean players will be able to turn on or off functions like Heated ReEntry damage, Communications range accuracy, Launch and Landing assist computers, or lifesupport tracking etc. Hard mode would be turning all the realism to full and all the assists off. Easy and normal would be personalized by each player deciding what they want to able to ignore and what they want computer assist with.

I myself would use life support and communications ranges. Honestly tho having seen and heard some of the plans of the Devs concerning money and career science tech I think we will see plenty of challenge.

Alacrity

[Specialist290]

This seems to be a development discussion, so I've moved it to the proper subforum for that.

[CalculusWarrior]

I feel like this might lead to players judging each other based on which difficulty they play at, similar to the infamous Mechjeb disputes.

[Superfluous J]

I feel like this might lead to players judging each other based on which difficulty they play at, similar to the infamous Mechjeb disputes.

Players Jerks will judge each other on everything they can possibly judge each other on. Adding a couple more things for snobs to feel snobby about won't change the fact that they're being snobby.

[Nobody]

I would be in favor of a modular difficulty that would let players tailor the save file to their preferences.

• Reentry damage:On/Off
  
• Life Support: None/Hibernate when it runs out until rescue/Hibernate for a limited time before death/Die when it runs out.
  
• Resources:Re-spawning fields to mine on/off.
  
• Permanent death of crew: On/Off
  

[Algiark]

So basically it should be something like this?

[Canopus]

Why? Just let the new people learn instead of making it easier. Let us all play on game and not many different ones.

[vexx32]

IN a sense, though the Realism panel of Microsoft Flight Simulator is probably a better thing to base it off, in my opinion.

[vetrox]

Why? Just let the new people learn instead of making it easier

I think this is the wrong attitude to have for new players. The last thing we need when the game is released is thousands of threads stating "this game is too hard I want my 30$ back"

I think a diffiulty mechanic would work well in career mode. Sandbox shoul stay as it is (sandbox is as difficult as you want to make it). In career mode difficulty levels would make sense as most people are going to buy the game and start in career mode it makes sense for people dont get overwhelmed by lack of cash etc. I also agree with the "customizable Difficulty". So at the start of the career you decide how hard it is. Starting cash, science gain, available parts etc.

Theres not alot you can do without screwing up the game however. You shouldnt be able to pick "EZ mode" and have every engine with a surface isp of a bajillion and twr of 56. Maybe things like re entry damage, realisic aero dynamics, scale of the star system ect. You should be able to turn these on and off at will (yes you can do it with mods but not all people buying a fully released game will want to mod it)

EDIT

IN a sense, though the Realism panel of Microsoft Flight Simulator is probably a better thing to base it off, in my opinion.

Although I havent played flight simulator this is the sort of thing i was trying suggest

Edited December 1, 2013 by vetrox

[peadar1987]

I don't think Mechjeb will ever become stock. Maybe I'm a bit of a snob, but I see it as more of a tool for experienced players who are bored of launching and docking than something that adds to the game. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but if people really want it, they can install it as a mod. Plus the devs have said autopilots will never be included in the game.

I think a tweakable realism menu is the way to go. Turn on and off remotetech features, deadly reentry, basically a package of mods-made-stock you can enable and disable to make the game easier or harder.

[Eric S]

I would imagine that instead of standard EASY< NORMAL<HARD modes I think there will be aspects you can turn on and off to increase difficulty.

This. While it's always possible they may change their minds, the devs have already stated that they're not interested in a single difficulty setting. They are willing to consider having the ability to turn things like reentry heat and life support on and off (assuming they get implemented), but those would be individual settings so you could pick and choose between them.