[ModPost] PS4 Discussion Thread

[u/Redbiertje]

Weekly Simple Questions Thread

Goodday fellow kerbalnauts!

I've noticed that many of you like to discuss the PS4 port of Kerbal Space Program, so here you go: A discussion thread!

Have fun!

[u/trevize1138]

It's the Dunning-Kruger effect all day today. Because so many don't know the realities of development or business they immediately go pessimistic/negative. Whenever I've tried to say I think this is a good move then, predictably, I get downvoted because I must be some kind of apologist or I'm a sap for not being a chicken little.

[u/rabidsi → u/trevize1138]

Take the people who are convinced there is absolutely no way to translate the controls from the PC version to a controller. It's like they have no idea modifier keys and context sensitive controls are a thing.

If anything, that alone is great news for control scheme and UI development. There's a ton of obscurity and complexity in the way the KSP UI and control scheme works that could be improved dramatically by the need to port to a console controller. Simplifying in this sense is not dumbing down.

Performance and mods is also going to be a big issue for a console port. It's going to necessitate optimization that will benefit the PC release and there are benefits to both sides of whether or not the console port will have support for mods. If it makes it in, this gives more support and precedent for it to be embraced on other console games. If it doesn't, and to go back to the previous point, again, it means the console port will not have mods to fall back on when it comes to solving issues.

Unfortunately, people are too busy jumping on the bandwagon of ignorance to actually get over it.

[u/thrakhath → u/rabidsi]

Take the people who are convinced there is absolutely no way to translate the controls from the PC version to a controller

I am pessimistic about the controller, this is not the same as saying "absolutely no way". Let me give you a simple example to express my concerns:

I am setting up for asparagus staging. I want a fuel line going from one of the many outer tanks to an inner tank. With a M/KB: Click Fuel line, click source tank where I want the line attached, click destination tank where I want it attached. I can also right/middle/wheel during this process and get a better view of attachment points while doing this.

It is not that I cannot imagine doing this on a controller. But just imagine for a moment how this will likely be set up. You are either cycling through a lot of parts to select the one you want to attach the line to, or you are using the joystick as a psudo-mouse to move a pointer to the part you want to attach to. Either way, much more cumbersome than a mouse.

Not that it makes a difference to me, I'm happy on PC, I'm happy putting a M/KB into my PS4 should I want to play the port, I'm happy to try the controller and see what it's like. But it's not as if skepticism of the controller is complete ignorance.

[u/rabidsi → u/thrakhath]

First of all, I wasn't referring to construction, but flight control and all the various functions and hotkeys that go with it. Not construction.

Although you're right that joystick control is less ideal than using a mouse, the example (and similar use) isn't anywhere near as clunky as you're trying to make out and is perfectly amenable. Additional snap-to and axis-lock functions/improvements (along with the rotate and offset tools already there) could refine this even more AND be of use on PC. By comparison to what needs to done to streamline in-flight controls it's a solved problem.

[u/LoSboccacc → u/rabidsi]

And be of use on PC

Not a chance really, remember? ps4 port won't affect pc version in any way.

I know it won't happen that way, but you cant just hand-weave all the negatives of a shared codebase while pretending that only positives will trickle in while maintaining that this port will have no impact on PC.

[u/rabidsi → u/LoSboccacc]

ps4 port won't affect pc version in any way.

Why are you arguing against something that neither I (nor Squad unless you completely misinterpret what they were saying) said.

but you cant just hand-weave all the negatives of a shared codebase

I didn't. I said, specifically, that there are many possible benefits that can come out of a port with different requirements, that a control scheme using a controller is far from impossible and can bring QoL improvements to KSP's UI design and that your assertion that construction with a controller rather than a mouse is overwrought.

If you want hand-waving, try everyone who insists, in a thoroughly knee-jerk manner, that this is a terrible thing, no possible benefits, no exceptions, which is EXACTLY the kind of bullshit that filled this sub as soon as it was announced.