carreer and science

[Justin Kerbice]

Hi,

just would like to add my own point of view and idea on this feature.

As designed now, science is a failure, as many KSP users see it and use it, and I have to agree, sorry guys. Because, in addition to everything that have already been written on it, we have to do manned missions even before launching a single working probe in order to get enough science points without mentionning working satellite can only be achieved after lot's of research . I know kerbals look as stupid as lemmings but not that much.

I think IMHO science should be made such a way that we first discover upper atmosphere then space and survivability in it. For example, how kerbal scientists can design a proper shield for manned cockpits if they really ignore how deadly radiations are outside Kerbin atmosphere ? They can obviously put tons of steel outside but... it will be hard to put such weight in space.

So we should first study survivability as well as science itself, materials/living organisms study, probe design, rocket engine design and aero and finally the important energy area. So with that, we should be able to design our first probes which can survive months and years in orbit, studying effect on them in long term by downloading data in a constant basis for example. Then, learn about orbiting stuffes and manoeuvers, launching probe even farer, then start to send kerbals in space, on Mun and other bodies. Leading to get more parts related to advances rocketry, rovers, landers, and so on. To do so, it needs to have something designed smarter than it is acutally (not a fixed amount of points between each step like 45 then 90 then 160, ...).

An even more "realistic" way is to first start with basic aircrafts as its happened in real world, then learned about jet engine then finally rockets. This of course can be an optionnal mode (as no space flights will be allowed initially), but gathering data about flying, efficient design, atmosphere, and some Kerbin's biome can start the "science engine".

Along with this, some proper scenarii and tutorials may be very helpfull for newcomers (better than discover basic things in a wiki).

It's quite sad because career is a great idea as it allow to discover parts gradually and be familiar with them, knowing their bests and weaknesses, instead of staying stunned by hundreds of them in spaceport and don't know how and where to start.

Thank you for reading .

[Vanamonde]

There is a sub-forum for suggestions about game development, which this thread (Presto!) now occupies.

[RSwordsman]

I think that is a result of the fact that Squad is a game design studio, not an experimental aerospace company. Not to mention the focus is on space, not the cumulative baby steps towards it.

I would like to see a more believable progression, but if nothing changes, that's also just fine.

[Guest]

I definitely agree that the tech tree need some reordering but I disagree completely when it comes to manned missions versus probes. I see Kerbals as more "daring" and "hands-on" than "stupid as lemmings". Probes are boring, I want my Kerbals out there exploring space.

[Justin Kerbice]

@RSwordman: I'm not myself involved in any space/air related activities, it's just 75% of common sense and 25% of knowledge, I just read a few books or magazines and watching a few documentaries and movies about history of aircrafts, spacecrafts and related technologies and engineering.

common sense here is just stated science points come mainly from science studies, science points avail on Kerbin and it's orbit is limited whatever we do => science have to be improved first and may be less expensive.

@regex: of course I believe there will never ONE single tree wich can match all users expectations, so instead of falling in the trap of satisfying the most numbers of "bankable players" (the one who will be willing to buy the game, play and complaint a few days/weeks then get away and forget about it), devs should try to satisfy everyone by providing many science trees, probably in many carreer mode (one "complete" from walking on Kerbin to conquer the farest planet, one "light" with space stuffes only allowing players to build base on other planets quite soon, one between the two, ...).

I myself would like to take time, discover Kerbin, space, Kerbin's satellites, do research, explore new uncharted territory, find some interresting stuffes (kind of artefact), create bases, get ressources from these land, ...