Kerbal Space Program 2
Early access image
Developer(s)
  • Intercept Games
  • Squad
Publisher(s)Private Division
Director(s)Nate Simpson
Producer(s)Nate Robinson
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Space flight simulation
Mode(s)Single-player

Kerbal Space Program 2 is a space flight simulation video game developed by Intercept Games and published by Private Division as an early access version on Windows in early 2023. It is the sequel to 2015's Kerbal Space Program and was released on early access in February 24, 2023, for Windows.

Gameplay

Kerbal Space Program 2 builds on the sandbox features of its predecessor Kerbal Space Program and is set on adding new propulsion methods (e.g. the Orion drive), habitation modules for building on-surface, orbital and planetary colonies, a multiplayer mode, as well as interstellar travel[2][3] throughout the course of its early access.

Development

Kerbal Space Program 2 was announced at Gamescom 2019 on August 19, with an initial release date set for early 2020. The game was in development by Star Theory Games, formerly Uber Entertainment, which changed its name in order to display a stronger association with the Kerbal Space Program franchise. Development was shifted to Star Theory in part so that Squad could focus on developing further updates for the original game.[4] To ensure that the experience felt "grounded", the team consulted a panel of scientists and experts including Dr. Uri Shumlak, the associate chair of the University of Washington's Aeronautics and Astronautics department, Scott Manley, an astrophysicist and YouTuber who has made videos on Kerbal Space Program, and Dr. Joel Green, also an astrophysicist.[5] Kerbal Space Program received feedback that the game was too overwhelming for new players. Therefore, the team has stated that they aim to make the game more accessible by introducing more tutorials in order to give more guidance to players and ensure they understand the game's various systems.[4]

For various reasons, the release date was pushed back to Q3 2021.[6] Take-Two established a new unnamed studio under Private Division to continue development of Kerbal Space Program 2, with some of Star Theory's employees brought into it, leaving it unclear what Star Theory's role remains on the title.[7] Later reporting by Bloomberg revealed that Take-Two was in talks to acquire Star Theory but abruptly changed course, set up a new studio to develop the game (Intercept Games), and then poached a third of Star Theory's developers including the creative director and the lead producer.[8] Star Theory closed its doors three months later. It was announced in August 21 that Squad, the developer of the original Kerbal Space Program, will also be involved in the sequel's development.[9]

In November 2020, creative director Nate Simpson announced that the release date was delayed again to 2022.[10][11] In June 2021, it was announced via the game's official Twitter account that the game would also be launching on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in 2022.[12][13] In May 2022, a delay to early 2023 was announced.[14]

In October 2022, an early access date of February 24, 2023 for Windows, was announced. Private Division and Intercept Games also published a roadmap detailing future development. Early Access aimed to have all the features and content of the original Kerbal Space Program, but with an improved user experience, new parts, and improved tutorials. Promised future developments include science, colonies, interstellar travel, multiplayer, improved exploration and resource gathering.[15]

Before December 2023, the game only received minor updates.[16] However, at Space Creator Day 2023, Simpson announced that the first major roadmap update would be released in December 2023 in an update called "For Science!". The update added a gameplay mode called "Exploration Mode", which resembles the Science gameplay mode from Kerbal Space Program.[17][18] The update was released on December 19, 2023.

Reception

Player feedback for the Early Access release of Kerbal Space Program 2 has been mostly negative. Some players criticized the game for its poor technical performance, bugs and lack of content at launch; however some players still appreciated its improved graphics, quality-of-life changes, and sound design.[19][20] After the "For Science!" update in December of 2023, player feedback was greatly improved, with many praising the addition of progression and the fixing of many important bugs.

References

  1. ↑ "Made with Unity Monthly: February 2023 roundup". Unity Technologies. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  2. ↑ Savage, Phil (August 19, 2019). "Kerbal Space Program 2 announced". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  3. ↑ Savage, Phil (August 19, 2019). "Kerbal Space Program 2's New Devs on Adding Interstellar Flight, Colonies and More to the PC's Greatest Space Sim". PC Gamer. Future plc. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  4. 1 2 Valentine, Rebekah (October 28, 2019). "Star Theory's shot beyond the Mun with Kerbal Space Program 2". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  5. ↑ Boudreau, Ian (March 11, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 heads to space while grounded in science". PCGamesN. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  6. ↑ Lee, Julia (May 20, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 has been delayed to fall 2021". Polygon. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  7. ↑ Robinson, Andy (February 20, 2020). "Take-Two forms new studio for KSP2, with original developer's role unclear". Video Games Chronicle. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  8. ↑ Schreier, Jason (June 3, 2020). "Game Publisher Cancels Contract With Developer, Then Tries to Poach Its Entire Team". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ Wales, Matt (August 6, 2021). "After more than a decade, development of Kerbal Space Program has come to an end". Eurogamer. Retrieved August 6, 2021.
  10. ↑ Plunkett, Luke (November 5, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Delayed To 2022". Kotaku. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  11. ↑ Knoop, Joseph (November 5, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Delayed Again to at Least 2022". IGN. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  12. ↑ @KerbalSpaceP (June 24, 2021). "We're also thrilled to announce that Kerbal Space Program 2 will be coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in 2022! More details coming at a later date. #KSP2 #KerbalSpaceProgram2" (Tweet). Retrieved July 5, 2021 – via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Bayliss, Ben (June 24, 2021). "Kerbal Space Program 2 sets thrusters to PS5 and Xbox Series X and S". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  14. ↑ Kerbal Space Program 2 Timing Update. YouTube. May 16, 2021.
  15. ↑ Fingas, Jon (October 21, 2022). "'Kerbal Space Program 2' finally arrives on February 24th". Engadget. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  16. ↑ "KSP2 Patch Notes".
  17. ↑ "Introducing.....For Science!". October 21, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  18. ↑ Science Update Revealed! Kerbal Space Program 2 Presentation + 4K Trailer + Crowd Reactions. YouTube. October 23, 2023.
  19. ↑ Fenlon, Wes (February 28, 2023). "'Too early access for early access'—players react to Kerbal Space Program 2 launch". PC Gamer. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  20. ↑ Kennedy, Victoria (February 28, 2023). "Kerbal Space Program 2 rocky launch leaves players asking for refunds". Eurogamer. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
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