Kerbal Space Program 2
Kerbal Space Program 2 | |
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Developer(s) |
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Publisher(s) | Private Division |
Director(s) | Nate Simpson |
Producer(s) | Nate Robinson |
Platform(s) | |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Space flight simulation |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Kerbal Space Program 2 is an upcoming space flight simulation video game in development by Intercept Games and will be published by Private Division. It is the sequel to 2011's Kerbal Space Program and is scheduled for early access release on February 24, 2023, for Microsoft Windows, with releases for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S planned for after early access.[1][2]
Gameplay
This sequel builds on the sandbox features of its predecessor Kerbal Space Program, while at the same time introducing 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.[3][4]
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.[5] 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 that has made videos on Kerbal Space Program, and Dr. Joel Green, also an astrophysicist.[6] 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.[5]
For various reasons, the release date was pushed back to Q3 2021.[7] 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10]
In November 2020, creative director Nate Simpson announced that the release date was delayed again to 2022.[11][12] 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.[13] In May 2022, a delay to early 2023 was announced.[14]
In October 2022, an early access date of February 24, 2023, was announced. Private Division and Intercept Games also published a roadmap detailing future development. Early Access will aim to have all the features and content of the original Kerbal Space Program, but with an improved user experience, new parts, and improved tutorials. Future developments will add science, colonies, interstellar travel, multiplayer, improved exploration and resource gathering.[15]
See also
References
- ^ "Kerbal Space Program 2". www.kerbalspaceprogram.com. FAQ. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
- ^ Bayliss, Ben (June 24, 2021). "Kerbal Space Program 2 sets thrusters to PS5 and Xbox Series X and S". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Savage, Phil (August 19, 2019). "Kerbal Space Program 2 announced". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b Valentine, Rebekah (October 28, 2019). "Star Theory's shot beyond the Mun with Kerbal Space Program 2". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- ^ "Kerbal Space Program 2 heads to space while grounded in science". PCGamesN. March 11, 2020. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ Lee, Julia (May 20, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 has been delayed to fall 2021". Polygon. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Schreier, Jason (June 3, 2020). "Game Publisher Cancels Contract With Developer, Then Tries to Poach Its Entire Team". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ 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.
- ^ Plunkett, Luke (November 5, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Delayed To 2022". Kotaku. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ Knoop, Joseph (November 5, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Delayed Again to at Least 2022". IGN. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "Kerbal Space Program Enhanced Edition is coming to PS5 & Xbox Series X\S this fall!". Twitter. June 24, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021.
- ^ "Kerbal Space Program 2 Timing Update". YouTube.
- ^ Fingas, Jon (October 21, 2022). "'Kerbal Space Program 2' finally arrives on February 24th". Engadget. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
External links
- Open-world video games
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- Single-player video games
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- Video game sequels
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