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Kerbal Space Program 2

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Kerbal Space Program 2
Early access image
Developers
  • Intercept Games
  • Squad
PublisherPrivate Division
DirectorNate Simpson
ProducerNate Robinson
EngineUnity[1]
Platform
Release
GenreSpace flight simulation
ModeSingle-player

Kerbal Space Program 2 is a space flight simulation video game developed by Intercept Games and published by Private Division. It is the sequel to 2015's Kerbal Space Program and was released in early access on February 24, 2023, for Windows only.

Take-Two Interactive began development of Kerbal Space Program 2 in 2017 and planned to release the game by 2020. However, development issues led the game's release date being delayed multiple times. Layoff at Intercept Games and Take-Two Interactive and the former's closure in 2024[2][3] has left the status of Kerbal Space Program 2's development unknown.[4][5]

Gameplay

[edit]

Kerbal Space Program 2 features the same sandbox mechanics of Kerbal Space Program. During development, Private Division planned to add alternative propulsion methods, habitation modules, orbital and planetary colonies, a multiplayer mode, and interstellar travel to the final release of the game.[6][7]

Development

[edit]

Kerbal Space Program 2 was announced at Gamescom on August 19, 2019, and planned for release in early 2020. Star Theory Games, formerly Uber Entertainment, was initially responsible for developing the game. Kerbal Space Program 2's development team consulted a panel of field experts, including Dr. Uri Shumlak, the associate chair of the University of Washington's Aeronautics and Astronautics department, and Dr. Joel Green, an astrophysicist.[8] The team stated that they aimed to make Kerbal Space Program 2 more accessible over the original game by including more tutorials in order to help players better understand the game's mechanics.[9]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the release date of Kerbal Space Program 2 was pushed back to Q3 2021.[10] In 2020, Take-Two Interactive entered negotiations to acquire Star Theory Games. However, these plans faltered by June and Intercept Games was created under Private Division to take over development of the game. Over a third of the employees working at Star Theory Games, including the creative director and the lead producer, continued to work on Kerbal Space Program 2 at the new studio.[11]

A series of announcements made in 2021 stated that the game would release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S[12] and that Squad, the developer of the original game, would also be involved in Kerbal Space Program 2's development.[13] Repeated delays to Kerbal Space Program 2's release date from 2020 onwards resulted in the game's final early access release date being announced for early 2023.[14][15] However, according to Engadget, the exploration game mode, colonies, interstellar travel, multiplayer, improved exploration, and resource gathering were to be added later into the game's development.[16]

In December 2023, the first major roadmap update for Kerbal Space Program 2 titled "For Science!" was added to the game. A replacement for the original game's "Science" game mode, called "Exploration Mode", was added as part of this update.[17]

According to Bloomberg, Take-Two Interactive was aiming to shut down Intercept Games in May 2024. The company denied these claims,[18][2] which was later reaffirmed by the CEO of Take-Two Interactive, Strauss Zelnick.[19] Former developers in the studio, such as design manager Quinn Duffy, claimed otherwise, indicating that the team would be laid off on June 28, 2024.[4] In November 2024, Take-Two Interactive sold Private Division to an unspecified investor.[5]

Reception

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Kerbal Space Program 2 has received mostly negative reviews since release. According to PC Gamer, players criticized the game for its poor technical performance, bugs and lack of content at launch; however, players praised the improved graphics, sound design and quality-of-life changes over Kerbal Space Program.[20][21] The "For Science!" update was received positively for introducing bug fixes and a new progression-based game mode.[17][22] The game was later review bombed on Steam after the reports of development team layoffs emerged in 2024.[23]

References

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  1. ^ "Made with Unity Monthly: February 2023 roundup". Unity Technologies. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Schreier, Jason (May 1, 2024). "Take-Two Interactive Shuts Down Two Game Studios". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Taylor-Hill, Grant (May 29, 2024). "Intercept Games Team To Be Laid Off in One Month". Insider Gaming. Archived from the original on October 2, 2025. Retrieved November 9, 2025.
  4. ^ a b Reporter, Matt Wales News (May 28, 2024). "Kerbal Space Program 2 team to be laid off in June, says senior manager". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  5. ^ a b Batchelor, James (November 6, 2024). "Zelnick on Private Division sale: "Those projects were smaller, we're in the business of big hits"". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  6. ^ Savage, Phil (August 19, 2019). "Kerbal Space Program 2 announced". PC Gamer. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
  7. ^ 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.
  8. ^ Boudreau, Ian (March 11, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 heads to space while grounded in science". PCGamesN. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  9. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (October 28, 2019). "Star Theory's shot beyond the Mun with Kerbal Space Program 2". GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
  10. ^ Lee, Julia (May 20, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 has been delayed to fall 2021". Polygon. Retrieved June 5, 2020.
  11. ^ Schreier, Jason (June 3, 2020). "Game Publisher Cancels Contract With Developer, Then Tries to Poach Its Entire Team". Bloomberg. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ^ Bayliss, Ben (June 24, 2021). "Kerbal Space Program 2 sets thrusters to PS5 and Xbox Series X and S". GamesRadar+. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  13. ^ 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.
  14. ^ Knoop, Joseph (November 5, 2020). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Delayed Again to at Least 2022". IGN. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  15. ^ Green, Jake (May 17, 2022). "'Kerbal Space Program 2' delayed to early 2023". NME. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  16. ^ Fingas, Jon (October 21, 2022). "'Kerbal Space Program 2' finally arrives on February 24th". Engadget. Retrieved October 27, 2022.
  17. ^ a b Jovanée, Alice (December 20, 2023). "Kerbal Space Program 2's latest update launches player count into orbit". Polygon. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
  18. ^ Kerr, Chris (May 1, 2024). "Take-Two confirms Kerbal Space Program 2 is safe despite Seattle layoffs". Game Developer. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  19. ^ Valentine, Rebekah (May 16, 2024). "Take-Two CEO on Intercept, Roll7: 'We Didn't Shutter Those Studios'". IGN. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  20. ^ Fenlon, Wes (February 28, 2023). "'Too early access for early access'—players react to Kerbal Space Program 2 launch". PC Gamer. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  21. ^ Kennedy, Victoria (February 28, 2023). "Kerbal Space Program 2 rocky launch leaves players asking for refunds". Eurogamer. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  22. ^ Brading, Gareth (February 28, 2024). "Review: One year into Kerbal Space Program 2 Early Access, small steps towards greatness - Entertainium". Retrieved May 2, 2024.
  23. ^ Lyles, Taylor (May 2, 2024). "Kerbal Space Program 2 Is Getting Review-Bombed After Take-Two Shut Down Its Developer". IGN. Retrieved December 6, 2025.
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