Kerbal Space Program

[Bob The Mercenary]

Kerbal Space Program (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCEQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkerbalspaceprogram.com%2F&ei=6AJQTv4rzt6BB7eI0PMG&usg=AFQjCNFsrF9gUMSQJPUqzAscLurtZwxcLw)

Awesome deceivingly complex game where your entire mission is to send three astronauts into space, and maybe get them back. You start out with a few stock parts to build your craft with, but can download tons more since the modding community is pretty large.

I'm loving it so far, even though it's still in alpha stage. At least it's a free download. In the few minutes I've had to play around with it, I'm yet to actually get them through the atmosphere.

[Melfice]

I'm sorry to say, Mister Dole, that PyrosNine has already beaten you in this... space race. (http://nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=40415&highlight=Kerbal) YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAH! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YMPAH67f4o)

[Bob The Mercenary]

Noes I have been defeated!

At least I can add that there's a way, through opening the config files with wordpad, to make your craft go at least 2/3 the speed of light before the game crashes.

[PyrosNine]

Sounds cool, as my warp speed nacelles end up making my ship explode anyway!

[Melfice]

I'll take a screenshot tomorrow, but I think I've created a fairly succesful aeroplane.
Of course, I used modded parts, but still.
It can land too!

Space is for pussies. Slap enough rockets on your craft, and you're there.
Atmospheric flight is for REAL men.

[Arcanum]

So after a bit of hilarious trial and error, downloading some mod parts, more trial and error, the creation of a rocket plane, countless fireworks (read: explosions and the death of hundreds of astronauts), and finally the help of the orbital calculator, I have succeeded in creating a stable elliptical orbit. And I even managed to return the crew to earth safely, albeit ridiculously far away from the landing pad and in some mountains.

[Arcanum]

So I made http://cloud.steampowered.com/ugc/541777522544308122/161E24FC4C389FFF2C31B5DAF658E052BD679CAE/

It has a top speed of about 16.2 Km/s but that was on a rough launch. It's kind of hard to keep it going straight even with all the SAS modules, so it wobbled back and forth a bit on the way up.

[Flarecobra]

You need to name the middle one "Buzz Kerman"

[Krylo]

It's always the same three kermans. You can't change their names, unless they've updated since I've last messed with it.

[Arcanum]

Sadly no you can't change the names. Though Jeb is one crazy motherfucker. Your rocket could be spiraling out of control 500 meters above the earth with no fuel left and no parachute (do to a small oversight in the building process) and he'll be smiling his ass off while the other two freak out and scream in terror.

[Flarecobra]

Sounds like an awesome guy to have at parties.

[PyrosNine]

Basically, the three kerbals are kind of like your "status" indicators, with their own likes and dislikes. So I think Bill is rather fond of going really fast, but has some issues with heights. Bob enjoys spinning. Neither enjoys going in a negative (earthbound) direction at any high speed.

Jeb?....Jeb's just there for the ride, man.

[Melfice]

A bit of necromancy doesn't hurt anyone, I think.

So, 0.12X released yesterday.
Who's been to the moon yet? =D

I have! I took pictures and everything!
http://i1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb458/MelficeSilesius/screenshot2.png

The planet now actually spins and orbits the star. And, naturally, the moon orbits around the planet, although it's tidally locked to the planet.

[Arcanum]

The real question: Did you make it back? :P

Might boot this game up again... eventually... once I get through some more backlog...

[Melfice]

On the first landing, I got stuck halfway between Kerbin and the Mün. This was after probably ten failed attempts flying TO the Mün (either through inexperience or various PC shenanigans. (Once I even managed to launch myself in a solar orbit. FUN.)), so I still consider it a victory

My second lunar landing, I managed to safely land back on Kerbin because I was smart enough to first go into an orbit around the Mün. Then I simply used the extra speed gain from accelerating to the periapsis to slingshot back home.

Right next to the launch pad too! Didn't even aim for that.

EDIT: Didn't even notice that. Jeb's not laughing like crazy.
It's almost as if he's... disappointed nobody died.