Can Kerbal Space Program Be Relaunched?

The recent developments of Kerbal Space Program 2 (KSP2) led to Take-Two Interactive shutting down the project due to budget constraints and missed deadlines. A speculative plan called “Kerbal Relaunched” proposes a collaboration between Illumination Entertainment, Amazon, and Cloud Imperium Games to revitalize the Kerbal Space Program franchise by expanding the brand, improving distribution, and reducing technological risks.

The recent developments of Kerbal Space Program 2 (KSP2) have led to Take-Two Interactive pulling the plug on the project, resulting in the shutdown of the studio developing the game. The new development house, Uber Entertainment (rebranded as Star Theory), was tasked with modernizing KSP1’s code and adding new features to create KSP2. However, due to limited budget and lack of access to institutional knowledge, the project faced challenges in meeting deadlines and budget constraints. The addition of complex features like multiplayer and colonies within the original timeframe of two years made the project more challenging.

As tensions rose over budget constraints and deadlines, Take-Two secretly created another studio, Intercept Games, to take over the KSP2 project. The release of the Early Access version of KSP2 without the promised features led to a tepid response, making the project vulnerable to budget cuts. Take-Two is now reportedly looking to sell the rights to Kerbal Space Program, with or without the development team, and exploring options to offload their indie game publishing arm, Private Division.

In response to these developments, the idea of “Kerbal Relaunched” is proposed as a speculative plan for the game’s future. The plan involves three companies: Illumination Entertainment for expanding the Kerbal brand through streaming media and merchandise, Amazon for distribution, marketing, and game development, and Cloud Imperium Games (CIG) for providing the Star Engine technology to reduce the project’s risk. By leveraging the strengths of these companies, the plan aims to transform KSP2 from a high-risk project to a lower-risk venture.

Illumination Entertainment’s expertise in creating engaging content and merchandise, combined with Amazon’s global reach and game development capabilities, could help elevate the Kerbal brand to iconic status. Cloud Imperium Games’ contribution of the Star Engine technology would significantly reduce the technological uncertainties associated with KSP2, making it a more feasible project. The plan envisions a collaborative effort among these companies to revitalize the Kerbal Space Program franchise and ensure its success in the future.

Overall, the proposed “Kerbal Relaunched” plan aims to transform the troubled KSP2 project into a successful venture by leveraging the strengths of Illumination Entertainment, Amazon, and Cloud Imperium Games. By rebranding and expanding the Kerbal brand, improving distribution and marketing strategies, and reducing technological risks through the Star Engine technology, the plan seeks to ensure the longevity and success of the Kerbal Space Program franchise in the gaming industry.