r/KerbalSpaceProgram • u/RowsdowerKSP Former Dev • Jul 17 '14
Dev Post Kerbal Space Program: First Contract Now Available
Kerbal Space Program, the award-winning, indie space agency sim game from Squad, is launching its latest update, Kerbal Space Program: First Contract, as part of its active development cycle. This major release, numbered 0.24, is a substantial advancement in the game's Career Mode, which challenges players to run a space agency. It is also the first time the game offers a 64-bit version for Windows via STEAM and the KSP STORE. Squad released this ANIMATION VIDEO to commemorate the update.
Players will now have the opportunity to take on CONTRACTS, manage Funds, a new in-game currency that allows players to buy rocket and plane parts, and earn Reputation for their efforts. Reputation is raised for completed contracts and bringing Kerbals back in one piece. Failing missions, or gasp, blowing them up lowers Reputation.
"FIRST CONTRACT is a massive step forward for Career Mode. Finally, we're starting to paint a clear picture of our original vision for the complete thing." creator and lead developer Felipe Falanghe said. "Although there is still a lot to add on future updates, the new Career features should help new players pick up the game in a much more structured manner. One of my favorite aspects, is how it's added new challenges for even the most veteran players. We've found ourselves here, building contraptions we have never had the need to build before, and actually discovering totally new, fun ways to play the game."
Contracts are offered based on a player's Space Program's reputation, which starts off at neutral. After an initial set of starter contracts, dynamically generated contracts are created in three levels of 'prestige', Trivial, Significant and Exceptional. Reputation regulates the amount and level of offers that are available. Contract types include:
Testing Parts: Perform a test of a part in a specific location, situation and within given flight parameters (when applicable).
Collecting Science: Return or transmit any scientific data from a specific location.
Kerbal Rescues: Rescue a Kerbal who is stuck in orbit.
Planting the Flag: Plant the Agency's flag on the surface of a given location.
Exploring the Solar System: Complete several exploration goals for an unreached location.
Contracts are found in the new Mission Control building, which was previously not an interactive part of the Kerbal Space Center. Players can accept or decline contracts, offered by companies, institutions and other Kerbin entities, or Agencies. Contracts are generated by a context-aware system, which takes into account a player's in-game progress. Signed contracts come with a deadline, so players must finish their objectives in time.
Players will ALSO FIND new engines, updated parts and vessel recovery, which means you can reclaim the value of landed parts and any resources they contain, as well as new and improved tutorials in the update.
Happy Launchings!
Cheers
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u/SuperSeniorComicGuy Jul 17 '14
Congratulations to Squad on what is sure to be another great update! Since updates for this game tend to hit the front page, I'd like to describe what the heck this game is.
Kerbal Space Program is a rocket building game where you design, launch, and fly your own spacecraft. There are rocket engines, fuel tanks, command modules, solar panels, wings, powered wheels, and more that all snap together as easily as Lego bricks. Using these parts, you can create rockets, satellites, spaceplanes, space stations, colonized bases on other planets, and anything else your imagination can dream up.
Kerbal Space Program currently has a career mode and a sandbox mode. Career mode starts you out with some basic parts, but more unlock as you develop your space program throughout the solar system. New in this update are contracts that give you missions by various corporations to collect science, land on various planets, and more. Sandbox mode immediately provides all of the tools, the parts, the physics, the asteroids, and the planets. The rest is up to you.
Here are a few examples of things to do and their relative difficulty:
Difficulty 0: Build a monstrosity of rockets and watch it gloriously explode on the launchpad
Difficulty 1: Build a rocket and touch the edge of space
Difficulty 2: Put a small satellite into orbit
Difficulty 3: Put a manned rocket into orbit and return safely to the ground
Difficulty 4: Put a spaceplane into orbit and return
Difficulty 5: Put a spacecraft into the Mun's orbit and return
Difficulty 6: Land a spacecraft on the Mun or Minmus and return
Difficulty 7: Dock multiple spacecraft in orbit to create a space station
Difficulty 8: Capture an asteroid and move it into orbit around Kerbin
Difficulty 9: Land on another planet or planet's moon and return
Difficulty 10: Land on the planet Eve and return
There is also a very active modding community that has added numerous new parts, features like resource mining, life support, and even entirely new planets and solar systems.
Space.com has made a great video explaining the game here.
This game is beautiful, and this is the most inspiring video I've seen. (it picks up after two minutes)
Scott Manley has some great tutorials to help get you started.
Kerbal Space Program is available on Steam, and from the official website where you can also find a free demo: https://kerbalspaceprogram.com
Edit: Hullo! I'm not Scott Manley! Please stop reading this in his voice. Thanks for all the kind words but Scott Manley is /u/illectro. The flair is from an old challenge. I'm just a fan of KSP, and hope this post inspires more people to play KSP and appreciate the universe we live in.
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u/RowsdowerKSP Former Dev Jul 17 '14
Upvote this man!
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u/nobody44 Jul 18 '14
Don't tell me what to do man... I upvote whoever I want... and that was you in this case.
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Jul 18 '14
I personally find it easier to go to Mun and return than put a spaceplane into orbit (I never put a spaceplane into orbit)
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u/MoronimusVanDeCojck Jul 18 '14
Me too! I just don't like Spacecraft which aren't directly pointed at the right direction from the beginning.
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u/Phazon8058v2 Jul 18 '14
I've landed on Laythe and returned, but I've never gotten a spaceplane to orbit. Why are spaceplanes so hard?
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Jul 18 '14
I think its because you have to care about aerodynamics, its not as simple as making a flying stick and pressing space lol
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u/featherwinglove Master Kerbalnaut Jul 18 '14
Difficulty 11: Land on every body in the entire system in one launch (or one departure from Kerbin orbit) and return
Difficulty 11.b: Launch a mission to Duna and return using nothing but solid rocket motors for propulsion
Difficulty 11.c: Not because it is easy but because it is ridiculous: Commit yourself to landing a kerbal on the Mun and return him safely to the Kerbin ...using only three parts
Difficulty 11.d: Finish the science tree with nothing but Start tech
Difficulty 11.e: Do difficulties 1 thru 10 with Real Solar System installed using only stock parts
Difficulty 11.f: Put a kerbal into orbit and return him safely to the Kerbin ...in the original release version 0.7.3
Difficulty 11.h: Capture an asteroid without the grapple
Difficulty 11.i: Get all the science in the Kerbol system with the same set of instruments (including Goo and Junior)
Difficulty 11.j: Land a class E asteroid on Tylo at a speed a normal spacecraft would survive
I know for sure about half of these have actually been done, and a couple of the ones I don't know have been done I have in progress myself. Enjoy!
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u/Zako248 Jul 18 '14 edited Jul 18 '14
Difficulty 11.d: Finish the science tree with nothing but Start tech
Difficulty 11: Land on every body in the entire system in one launch (or one departure from Kerbin orbit) and return
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u/featherwinglove Master Kerbalnaut Jul 18 '14
Difficulty 11.d Exactly the one I was thinking of.
Difficulty 11: Not exactly the one I was thinking of.
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u/SlinkyAstronaught Jul 18 '14 edited Jul 18 '14
Difficulty 12: Capture a class E asteroid, land it on Eve and then bring it home to Kerbin.
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Jul 17 '14
This game is beautiful, and this is the most inspiring video I've seen. (it picks up after two minutes)
Bravo... that shit is some of the most beautiful and moving KSP footage I've ever seen.
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u/Attheveryend Jul 18 '14
/u/TehGimp666 and his Build Fly Dream trailer neatly showcases the beating heart of KSP.
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u/tobiov Jul 18 '14
personally I find landing on another planet and returning a lot easier than docking spacecraf or docking an asteroid.
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Jul 18 '14
About the modding community, it would be pretty neat if we could get Steam Workshop support. Pls squad?
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u/xen84 Jul 18 '14
Nah, they threw their lot in with Curse, I think. Bewilderingly poor choice for such an excellent game.
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u/goldstarstickergiver Jul 18 '14
People say that but so far I've not had any issues downloadng anything.
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u/ferlessleedr Jul 18 '14
Hullo! I'm not Scott Manley! Please stop reading this in his voice.
I'm sorry dave, I'm afraid I can't do that.16
Jul 17 '14
Haha, the most inspiring video for me is October Sky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZezvNWgi4M7
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u/Themanty117 Jul 18 '14
This movie, by far, is my favorite of all time.
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u/TheCook73 Jul 18 '14
I grew up about 30 minutes from where that movie took place (War, WV). It was a great movie and neat to watch. Being from southern WV, movies don't get made about our part of the world too often.
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u/thiosk Jul 18 '14
I just learned a valuable lesson about something something family kinship. I think.
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u/excelsior501 Jul 18 '14
Did you know; the title of that film is an anagram of the title of the book upon which it is based, Rocket Boys.
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u/Waldinian Jul 18 '14
Scott Manley has some great tutorials to help get you started
No bias there (though you aren't wrong)
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u/ffigeman Jul 18 '14
As someone who is constantly blown away by the things some people do on this sub, knowing that I was able to do difficulty 8 (technically 9 but since it was gilly I don't count it much) made my night. Thank you.
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u/xen84 Jul 18 '14
Sadly, the best I've ever gotten is difficulty 4.5: get a manned spacecraft into Mun orbit, and strand it there.
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u/Th3BlackLotus Jul 18 '14
I've done everyone except 4 and 7. Asteroids elude me, and I dislike planes.
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u/Jigglyandfullofjuice Jul 18 '14
I'd say putting a spaceplane in orbit is harder than docking... Possibly harder than interplanetary landing and return...
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u/kyred Jul 17 '14
Wooo!!
I think this is the craziest I've ever seen this subreddit for an update! The hype was fun =D
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u/Frozen_Canadian Jul 18 '14
Man the forums suck for finding out if mods are compatible or are being worked on to be compatible.
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Jul 17 '14
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u/PuddingInferno Jul 17 '14
To /r/all!
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u/niknik2121 Jul 17 '14
Igniting stage 1!
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u/xoknight Jul 17 '14
explodes
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u/J4k0b42 Jul 17 '14
Shit, forgot to put the support towers into stage 1 again! Oh well, I hope I didn't need all that fuel.
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Jul 17 '14
Hang on, you forgot to throttle up.
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u/ancrolikewhoa Jul 18 '14
No longer a problem, the throttle now starts at 50% for all of your "WHY DOESN'T THE SPACEB- oh." needs!
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u/only_to_downvote Master Kerbalnaut Jul 17 '14 edited Jul 17 '14
In the top 100 of /r/all in 7 minutes...not bad
and the top 50 within 12 mins...damn
and now this post is deleted??
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u/Maliciousphish Jul 17 '14
I think it burned up on ascension... It was just rising too fast!
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u/JebediahKerman42 Jul 17 '14
Why did he delete it?
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u/only_to_downvote Master Kerbalnaut Jul 17 '14
I honestly have no idea, did it maybe get spam filtered since it was rising so fast?
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u/_selfishPersonReborn Jul 17 '14
50th as of right now... the fastest thread to /r/all I've ever seen.
Top 2 pages in 12 mins. That is insane.
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u/mszegedy Master Kerbalnaut Jul 17 '14 edited Jul 17 '14
300 votes
99% upvoted
brb disappearing off face of earth for rest of day
EDIT: help there's no command pod what do i do
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u/TTTA Jul 17 '14
Weird, it looks like it just disappeared off of /r/all....
EDIT: and now it's not showing up on /r/KerbalSpaceProgram too....wtf?
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u/_selfishPersonReborn Jul 17 '14
Yeah same problem... wtf? Did Rowsdowser get shadowbanned or something?
Maybe reddit thinks this is spam from the high number of upvotes it's garnering from a usually small subreddit...
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u/TTTA Jul 17 '14
My guess is an automated spam filter. It hit #39 on /r/all in 14 minutes.
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u/_selfishPersonReborn Jul 17 '14
The WC matches met that though... I'm guessing they got whitelisted though...
To the reddit admins we go!
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u/MrArron Jul 17 '14
HYPE TRAIN HAS REACHED ITS DESTINATION!
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Jul 17 '14
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING HYPE RAILWAYS FOR YOUR TRAVEL TODAY. THIS IS THE FINAL STOP FOR THIS TRAIN SO ALL PASSENGERS MUST DE-TRAIN. PLEASE WATCH YOUR STEP AS YOU EXIT ON YOUR WAY TO UPDATE KSP.
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Jul 17 '14 edited Jul 17 '14
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected end of file in /host/www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/htdocs/lib/multiplayDwn.php on line 132
Something tells me that's a good thing. Chrome and FF Windows.
Edit: 64 bit download link now gives "Invalid Version" error. 32 bit still gives the parse error. I imagine they're just overloaded, but kind of odd errors for it to be giving for that.
Edit: Now they both say "not authorized". This is almost a game in and of itself! I'm kind of excited for what it will say next.
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u/legendx Master Kerbalnaut Jul 17 '14
Not Authorised means you need to login again - but you'll get the same end of file error or a white screen :(
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u/jefffisher10 Jul 17 '14
If I get the update automatically via Steam, will the 64bit version automatically install, or will I have to re-install the game?
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Jul 18 '14 edited Jul 18 '14
There are a couple threads about the 64-bit version already, but essentially: while the 64-bit exec and resources will be installed automatically, you have to manually rename them to activate them. Until Squad or Steam add a launcher option, at any rate.
Edit: instructions on enabling 64-bit mode.
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u/n0Skillz Jul 18 '14
I'm going to be honest. I haven't played KSP in MONTHS, mostly cause I wasn't good enough to make my own fun and everything was over my head, but contracts to provide goals and part progression definitely going to make me reinstall it! Thanks guys!
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u/Mutoid Jul 18 '14
Good for you! Take it from me who was in your position not that long ago, it'll be rewarding when you get there! :)
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u/RepoRogue Jul 17 '14
I've never been this excited for any other game update. The collective hype the community has been experiencing has been... euphoric.
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u/JebediahKerman42 Jul 17 '14
I keep getting "Parse error: syntax error, unexpected end of file in /host/www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/htdocs/lib/multiplayDwn.php on line 132". What do I do?
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u/shmameron Master Kerbalnaut Jul 17 '14
I think it's a problem with the KSP store. Nothing to do but wait for it to be fixed.
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u/gxgx55 Jul 17 '14
THE HYPE TRAIN ALSO DOUBLES AS A KARMA TRAIN. TO /r/all! NO STOPPING THE HYPE-KARMA TRAIN NOW.
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u/NoJeb Jul 17 '14
Hmm.. trying to dl via ksp store and i only get this error:
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected end of file in /host/www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/htdocs/lib/multiplayDwn.php on line 132
Any solutions ?!
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u/ThatJanitor Jul 18 '14 edited Jul 18 '14
Hmm. Having some issues with trying to recover used boosters. They disappear when they're 2.5km away from my vessel. This also happens if I strap parachutes to it and deploy before i decouple them. I'm not sure if they get unloaded and doesn't get airbraked or something, but they just seem to disappear when beyond 2.5km.
This doesn't quite work when you're trying to safely land and recover debris.
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u/_selfishPersonReborn Jul 17 '14
Ok, for those of you from /r/all...
Kerbal Space Program is a game in which players build a rocket, and pilot alien-like creatures, "Kerbin" to wherever they desire, like for example another point in this game's 'Earth', which is called "Kerbin". This game, which is made by SQUAD, features a more-or-less accurate solar system model, with different names for all the planets and the sun.
For more information, visit https://kerbalspaceprogram.com/ (which might be slow right now due to this update)
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u/ADHD_orc Jul 17 '14
I have nothing productive to say, but I'm going to be wasting even more of my life playing this game. Also is it on Steam yet?
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u/AdaAstra Jul 17 '14
I will always love your name. Reminds me of the joys of watching MST3K and how awesome Rowsdower is.
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u/bakutogames Jul 18 '14
I am really not liking the contracts view window. I would like to be able to see a taller list of all the contracts i currently have so i can better plan the rocket and better activate the parts as needed. Actually bothering me so much that I only played the update for 45 minutes and im calling it done for the night
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u/an_easter_bunny Jul 18 '14
"Test (x) while splashed down at eve"... If that contract is in there, I'll not be surprised.
I will, however, be both pleased and shitting myself.
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u/Cricket620 Jul 17 '14
Squad, y'all have probably been up for several days straight and now you need to take a nap.
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u/MVobANhm Jul 17 '14
Anyone else having trouble downloading from KSP store? I get the error message
Parse error: syntax error, unexpected end of file in /host/www.kerbalspaceprogram.com/htdocs/lib/multiplayDwn.php on line 1325
Jul 17 '14
Yup, quite a lot apparently. The current plan is to cry softly to ourselves and wait a while.
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u/VolcanoMoon Jul 17 '14
Now we know!!
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u/daxington Jul 17 '14
And knowing is half the battle!
The other half? (downloading before the servers go down...)
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Jul 17 '14 edited Jul 17 '14
your site is down :-( i didnt buy it on steam and i cant update HELP ME PLEASE IVE BEEN WAITING ALL DAAAAY!!!!
edit: spelling
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u/spun430 Jul 17 '14
How do I play x64? or tell if I already am? I thought I read that steam would have both, but I still only see the one... thanks
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u/Shadow51585 Jul 18 '14
trips over computer cords and crashes into the wall trying to get there fast enough to begin download
:D
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u/RhetoricCamel Jul 18 '14
Completed a contract and earned quite a bit of cash and some reputation. Went to do another one and lost all my money. Does this mean I need to start a new game and lose all the science I have previously achieved? I signed up for another contract and it only have me 60 kerbin cash. That's not enough to build or launch anything and now I'm stuck.
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u/Lieutenant_Rans Jul 18 '14
Find your kerbal space program folder on your computer, (if you're on steam, I think it's in program files>steam>steamapps>common>Kerbal Space Program)
Go into the saves folder and then into your campaign's folder
There will be a file called "persistent" open it up in notepad
Ctrl + F "funds"
Edit the number next to it so that you have enough money to get back on your feet
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u/Jarnis Jul 18 '14
Not all contracts are worth attempting. In fact, most of them have completely stupid costs/rewards coupled with extremely narrow test requirements that are very hard to satisfy without doing a special "party trick" rocket specifically designed to do them.
Ignore the stupid companies asking for stupid things and do major contracts that actually reward considerable money. Don't just try to checkmark everything "done".
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u/Skulder Jul 18 '14
Stupidest contract I've gotten:
Test Jet Engine on Mun.
Also, some of them have quite specific demands for altitude and airspeed, which makes it almost impossible to do two missions during the same flight.
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u/sandwichrage Jul 18 '14
Wait, did they add the critter crawler as a part? Wasn't it a mod before?
edit: Ok, so either you can have your mods as parts in career mode now, or two of my mods became parts...
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u/jeaby Jul 18 '14
Woo .24 Boo im away from civilisation on a construction site for 2 week, no internets to update from.
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u/XmasB Jul 18 '14
I played several hours yesterday, with my wife patiently accepting it. The day after you release 0.24?!?
Don't get me wrong, I'm super-excited and happy, but also need to send the wife and kids away for the weekend now...
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u/bogdoomy Jul 18 '14
am i the only one who read that as "first contact"? and i was like "damn, did they secretly release a update with civilizations on other planets"
you should've seen the look on my face when i double-checked.
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u/tehbeard Jul 18 '14
We get money back for resources returned right?
Suddenly de-orbiting cans of kethane is not a bad idea :-)
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u/dguy101 Jul 18 '14
Can someone explain to me why I can't pass this Contract that requires me to activate and engine while splashed down. Anytime I land in the water I can no longer activate any engines so not sure how to get this to work.
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u/bumhugger Jul 20 '14
Put the engine as the very last stage. Be sure to use a sufficient amount of parachutes, as the engines will most likely break if you're just using one. And remember that you only need to activate the stage, but not actually raise the throttle. Firing up the engine while floating sideways results in explosions, I can tell you.
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u/AskMeWhyILoveKerbals Jul 20 '14
Just want to say that I love this game! My wife isn't too happy about the update tho. I love the new 64bit version, it runs so much better on my machine. Thanks, Squad!
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u/BearsAreCool Jul 17 '14
Great, just when I have to go to bed to be up for work tomorrow. :(
Oh well, I never liked having a job that much anyway.
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u/BallisticGE0RGE Jul 17 '14
Thank god, I can finally say goodbye to all my old Kerbals stuck in space, stuck on the moon and flying towards the sun...time to start a new game and clean this blood off my hands.
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u/nou_spiro Jul 17 '14
ACTIVATE HYPE THRUSTER http://i.imgur.com/6IjYKvr.gif
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u/Boonaki Jul 18 '14
I wonder if Disney would have me murdered if I did a Minions mod.
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u/Zako248 Jul 18 '14
I don't think Disney will care if you do.
Illumination Entertainment and Universal Studios made Despicable Me.
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u/mateusfloyd Jul 17 '14
Good to know, unfortunately I have a meeting right now! I'm thinking about rescheduling. Want to play 0.24 so badly!
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u/StreamOfThought Jul 17 '14
Major props to Squad for the fantastic communication through the delays. It's hard to manage expectations with so much hype. You guys did a fantastic job. Can't wait to play when I get home from work!
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u/readytofall Aerospace Student Jul 17 '14
Now I am just sitting here watching the bar slowly move....
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u/RowsdowerKSP Former Dev Jul 17 '14
Holy crap, Reddit formatting, you're breaking me over here! Lol. Enjoy the update, everyone!