KSP cooperative (possible discussion?)

[Binary-02]

Hello everyone, this is my first post in the suggestions thread and already I bet it's getting some sour looks. Yes I read "What not to suggest" and saw multiplayer there, but both linked multiplayer mods had everyone off doing their own thing with little in terms of interacting with each other.

So I humbly put forth my suggestion of KSP co-op mode.

Well this would obviously be a bit tough at the beginning of the game what with a single capsule to ride in. However I think if the max amount of co-op players was limited to three players, the other two could spectate with little to wait for due to the short flights most player experience early on within the game.

The next problem would then be the delicate design process. Certainly three people can't build a rocket together, so I suggest each player builds his own design, and selects a ready button when finished. After all players are finished building and all three crafts are saved, the players are shown all three rockets and decide which to fly. (Which shouldn't be a problem early game unless you're Scott Manly and build something designed to go to Minmus while the other crafts are tiny 5 part rockets.) If the players can't decide, maybe a random pick button could be added?

Lastly the problem of choosing who flies the ship is pretty simple in my opinion. While all three Kerbals sit in chairs with their own controls, it should be possible to switch primary control around during flight with a simple UI. However the process of picking the pilot before launch could be decided from methods such as; A vote, flight test results(would probably require making tests), or a simple random pick.

I think this addition to KSP would be fun for those wishing to explore the solar system as a group and hope my suggestion is considered seriously.

[DaserTheGamer]

I like your idea, i hope squad takes in your suggestion.

[lajoswinkler]

It would be awesome to control a Kerbal on the ground and watch your friend landing down couple of hundreds of metres away.

[Bobe]

It's an interesting thought, but personally I feel this seems more like competitive multiplayer rather than co-operative, with the "victor" forcing the other players to watch.

With that said, it could still be a fun way to experience the game with other players, especially if some are more inexperienced. However, I don't think it should be a replacement for a more traditional system where everyone builds and launches their own rocket independently, merely an option if the players choose to play that way.

[Binary-02]

However, I don't think it should be a replacement for a more traditional system where everyone builds and launches their own rocket independently, merely an option if the players choose to play that way.

My intentions exactly, overriding the singleplayer version of the game would be a disservice to a great game.

However I don't wish for the co-op mode to be very competitive, the players in the passenger seats (or at mission control for less than three seated crafts) can plot maneuver nodes for the pilot so he isn't constantly switching to the map screen or possibly something else I can't think of at the moment.

Edited February 1, 2014 by Binary-02

[lajoswinkler]

It depends on the community. KSP community is different. I think cooperation would be more popular than in other communities.

[Nobody]

I agree that giving the option to have players in multiplayer control different Kerbals in 1 ship would be a great addition to the now planned multiplayer mode.

While I don't think I will be using it much myself, I do look forward to the insane projects the more skilled players will do while working together. Top of the list for recorded madness is synchronized docking of craft(preferably with robotics mod to create joints).