Collaboration and Innovation in Game Development
Kerbal Space Program is a popular space simulation game that lets players build their own rockets and explore the universe. One of the most important aspects of the game is the map which allows players to navigate through space and plan their missions. The creator of Kerbal Space Program Felipe Falanghe has come up with an ingenious way to redesign the game's map using a different game entirely: Cities: Skylines.
Falanghe realized that the terrain and landscape tools in Cities: Skylines were far more advanced than those in Kerbal Space Program. Cities: Skylines is a city-building game that allows players to create and manage their own cities. It features detailed terrain and road-building tools as well as the ability to import custom maps. Falanghe decided to take advantage of these tools to create a new map for Kerbal Space Program.
To begin the process Falanghe created a new city in Cities: Skylines and used the terrain tools to sculpt the landscape. He then used the road-building tools to create a network of roads and highways that he could use as a reference for his new map. Once the basic terrain and road layout were in place Falanghe exported the map as a height map which is a grayscale image that represents the elevation of the terrain.
Using a tool called World Machine Falanghe was able to convert the height map into a 3D mesh that he could import into Kerbal Space Program. World Machine is a program that allows users to create terrain and landscapes using procedural generation. It can generate realistic terrain features such as mountains valleys and rivers based on a set of parameters.
With the 3D mesh imported into Kerbal Space Program Falanghe was able to fine-tune the terrain and add additional features such as craters mountains and lakes. He was also able to adjust the atmosphere and lighting to create a more realistic and immersive experience for players.
The result is a completely new map for Kerbal Space Program that is more detailed and realistic than the original. Falanghe's use of Cities: Skylines as a tool for creating the map is a testament to the power of game development tools and the creativity of game developers.
This process also highlights the importance of collaboration between different developers and communities. By using the tools from one game in another Falanghe was able to create something entirely new and innovative. It also demonstrates how games can be used as a platform for learning and experimentation and how developers can learn from each other to create better experiences for players.
The success of this project has also led to speculation about the potential for future collaboration between different game development communities. The ability to import and export assets between different games could lead to new and exciting possibilities for game developers and players alike.
Overall Felipe Falanghe's use of Cities: Skylines to create a new map for Kerbal Space Program is a brilliant example of the power of game development tools and the ingenuity of game developers. It demonstrates how developers can learn from each other to create better experiences for players and how collaboration between different communities can lead to new and exciting possibilities in game development.