Kerbal Space Program 2

Interstellar travel and colony building are coming to Kerbal.

- Andy Kelly

When you land on a celestial body in Kerbal Space Program 2, whether it’s the Mun or another planet entirely, your mission doesn’t end with you planting a flag. This sequel to Squad’s science-based space sim, now developed by a team of Kerbal fans called Star Theory, will let you establish a colony on the surface and watch it grow.

“We have a colony editor that’s very similar to the vehicle editor,” says creative director Nate Simpson. “But it takes place in situ. You have a parts palette, but you’re also looking at actual physical terrain.”

But you won’t suddenly see a space metropolis spring up, you have to start small. “When you build your first colonies you’ll be using these collapsible, prefabricated modules,” says Simpson. “They’re actually inflatable, and you’ll build your first structures with those. Then, over time, you’ll unlock new things for your base.”

This is tied to the population of your colony. Only a handful of Kerbals will occupy your first, most basic settlement, but over time they’ll reproduce and your population will increase, granting you access to new technology. But how do you get more Kerbals?