We heard you like space simulators...

[S4qFBxkFFg]

"...so we put a space simulator in your space simulator so you can simulate space while you simulate space."

I know people have suggested wind tunnels, so this might complement that idea, or be seen as redundant - so let's discuss it!

My idea is that there could be a simulator facility at the space centre, which sort of works like the main game, but has certain features like the spacecraft being outlines/wireframes, Kerbin/Mun plain spheres, etc. There would also be time controls, but they'd work in reverse as well, and you could even click and drag spacecraft around the map view.

This would be an alternative to the "revert to..." options, with the intention being that while you can still just build and fly if you want, you really should have simulated it first.

(Obviously, this would be a lot more useful once costs to building a spacecraft are implemented.)

Thoughts?

[gre8]

I would really like something to test the craft on other planets, prior to sending them there of course. Like how would my rovers operate on with less gravity, or how my lander would behave in such planet.

Edited December 3, 2013 by gre8

[Monkeh]

So either Squad code another whole space SIM for the simulator or you just use 'revert flight'

Which would you do if you were Squad?

I agree it would be nice to have a simulator, but it isn't needed as long as revert flight exists. Just use it as a simulator.

[scootersoup]

just use 'revert flight'

This would be all well and good if quick loading and switching craft didn't bork the revert option (I understand that keeping separate copies of your save file for each craft launch may not be logistically sound, I'm just pointing it out). Oh no, I messed up the last five minutes of my half hour Moho capture burn. Time to relaunch my Rover prototype Hey look, I'm in the middle of my probe prototype's Hohmann transfer to Jool, and my Dres transfer window is in 2 hours. Some way to test things would be handy...

[LethalDose]

I have one sandbox game for "dry runs" and a separate career game for the real missions. Basically, the sandbox mode is my testing ground.

[S4qFBxkFFg]

I would really like something to test the craft on other planets, prior to sending them there of course. Like how would my rovers operate on with less gravity, or how my lander would be have in such planet.

Yes - there could be a button that would switch celestial body for the player, for example.

So either Squad code another whole space SIM for the simulator

Why would that be necessary? I would imagine almost all of the code could be re-used, except for the graphics being massively simplified, and making sure the simulation doesn't have any persistent effects. The only extras I suggested were adding a reverse option to the time warp buttons (so you could rewind) and clicking/dragging craft around the map view (which I'm aware could be non-trivial to implement).

[SuperWeegee4000]

Sigh. It's been suggested.