Question Let the Community Shape the Future of Kitten Space Agency

[Proftvv]

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Hey everyone

I’ve been thinking about something that could take Kitten Space Agency to the next level — making the community a real part of the game’s future.

What if, after the game reaches a certain stage of development, the roadmap is partially shaped by the players themselves?

The Idea​

Instead of a fully fixed roadmap, we could introduce community-driven voting on certain features, updates, or directions.

For example:

• New gameplay mechanics
• Content expansions
• Quality-of-life improvements
• Balancing priorities

Players could vote on what they want to see next, giving everyone a voice in how the game evolves.

Why This Could Be Powerful​

• Creates a stronger bond between developers and players
• Ensures updates reflect what the community actually wants
• Builds long-term engagement and loyalty
• Makes players feel like they’re truly part of the project

Things to Consider​

Of course, not everything can (or should) be voted on.
Developers would still guide the overall vision, but certain areas could be opened to community decisions.

Possible Approach​

• Regular polls (monthly / per update cycle)
• Pre-selected options curated by developers
• Transparency on what wins and why
• Maybe even weighted voting or tiers

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What Do You Think?​

Would you like to help shape the roadmap?
Or do you think a more traditional developer-driven approach works better?

I’d love to hear your thoughts — whether you’re a player, developer, or just someone interested in the idea.
Let’s discuss

 

[marksnake]

What ? Signed in today...ten minutes ago...and first post ? Well, nice. Well...first things first...I LOVE CATS ans spacegames...

 

[marksnake]

so...roadmap...well, I saw several things and as a hobby developer regarding space 3D-engines I have to say: wow..what a unbelievable powerful and awsom approach regarding simulation / and look...Saturn and the rings...water simulation...120 FPS...no stuttering...zoom in and out...texture quality and streaming...ENGINE seams to be great...and that`s the first/major deal, isn`t it. Now, I want to see the analog Kerbal Space Programm first steps as soon as possible ...however...exploding cute cats, really ? Well, Barnabas Kerbal was cute too...

 

[Kiwi Shark]

For what its worth, there is no formal roadmap now and no signs that there will be one for the foreseeable future. RW seems to very much be taking things very step by step and at their own discretion. There's still a lot to implement to get the game to be more of an actual "game". Collisions, more parts, mechanics like electricity/aerodynamics/thermals/docking. Eventually we'll see the custom fictional planetary system, an actual space center, possibly deeper agency management mechanics, more advanced vehicle systems.

Suffice to say, RW has enough to chew on for a good while and there are likely logical and technical paths to each new feature that they are uniquely and internally aware of. So we'd have to be past that point likely years from now where things become more of an open-ended plan.

My concerns around a community vote style approach to content center around having too many cooks in the kitchen, and likely the inevitable disappointment and enmity among the players. If RW makes all the decisions then we just have to live with that. But if things come to votes then there will always be people upset that their desired feature is "losing" to other stuff. Especially if the features that didn't get picked take significantly longer to implement or don't get implemented at all. You can end up with tribalism among players, even teaming up to consistently outvote a specific feature for whatever reason. The Minecraft Mob Vote, for example, had become a notoriously frustrating experience for players. Mojang has since retired the concept and now carries a long list of cool things that "could have been" but may never be. Meanwhile Hello Games has been routinely cranking out substantial No Man's Sky updates where each one is a big surprise and the reactions are very positive.

If votes were to only ever be on things that were guaranteed to be added to the game and only dictated priority, then why not just RW work on them and implement them as they come. You'll wait the same total amount of time (in theory). And, again, technical challenges may drive certain things to take longer and can be hard to predict. What if a voted feature ends up taking weeks/months longer than expected? Surely they could release other/smaller things in the meanwhile but then what was the point of the vote? There's no sense in voting on implementing features already finished, just put them as they come! Developer utilization is another topic entirely, they all have different roles and specializations.

That being said, we already have a very transparent environment for the development of the game. Devs are always chatting in Discord and checking the forums to see the reactions to new stuff. There's a lot of open conversation. It allows us to see what's happening and share our thoughts, it allows the devs to be aware, and it lets everyone operate in their own lanes. The way things are let things flow much more naturally and avoids having to deal with the overhead of managing a vote system such as:

• Where is the vote held? Discord? Ahwoo? Socials? Not everyone uses every platform.
• Mitigation of gaming the vote systems with alts, etc.
• How long to run a vote for? 24 hours? A week? Variable?
• Do contributors get a bigger say, more votes, etc?
  • If so, how do you make that feel fair to users that love the game but can't afford to contribute?
• Organizing, managing, promoting, and deciphering of the experience.
• How to manage community reaction and response?
• How to change the system based on feedback over time?

This all veers much farther into the "Community Management" side of things that RW has expressly avoided with KSA so far. They'd rather just make the game.

So I understand the idea, and maybe there would be instances where something like this could be fun, but I have doubts that it should serve as a staple of the game's development identity.

 

[X-ode Project]

Hi , do you need a sound designer or a music composer ?

 

[Kiwi Shark]

Hi , do you need a sound designer or a music composer ?

If this is meant to be asking RocketWerkz, you can find their career listings here: https://rocketwerkz.recruitee.com/

 

[Tom4K]

@Proftvv : Very nice picture !

I think it’s an absolutely brilliant idea to gather ideas and make suggestions. Many fans would surely be willing to contribute for free.
In my opinion, a KSP with the Realism Overhaul mod set in a world with intelligent kittens would be a very good foundation for the game. But I would also love to see an adventurous, exciting, and heartwarming story as the ultimate crowning touch—something that gives the project an emotional heart.

 

[Proftvv]

For what its worth, there is no formal roadmap now and no signs that there will be one for the foreseeable future. RW seems to very much be taking things very step by step and at their own discretion. There's still a lot to implement to get the game to be more of an actual "game". Collisions, more parts, mechanics like electricity/aerodynamics/thermals/docking. Eventually we'll see the custom fictional planetary system, an actual space center, possibly deeper agency management mechanics, more advanced vehicle systems.

Suffice to say, RW has enough to chew on for a good while and there are likely logical and technical paths to each new feature that they are uniquely and internally aware of. So we'd have to be past that point likely years from now where things become more of an open-ended plan.

My concerns around a community vote style approach to content center around having too many cooks in the kitchen, and likely the inevitable disappointment and enmity among the players. If RW makes all the decisions then we just have to live with that. But if things come to votes then there will always be people upset that their desired feature is "losing" to other stuff. Especially if the features that didn't get picked take significantly longer to implement or don't get implemented at all. You can end up with tribalism among players, even teaming up to consistently outvote a specific feature for whatever reason. The Minecraft Mob Vote, for example, had become a notoriously frustrating experience for players. Mojang has since retired the concept and now carries a long list of cool things that "could have been" but may never be. Meanwhile Hello Games has been routinely cranking out substantial No Man's Sky updates where each one is a big surprise and the reactions are very positive.

If votes were to only ever be on things that were guaranteed to be added to the game and only dictated priority, then why not just RW work on them and implement them as they come. You'll wait the same total amount of time (in theory). And, again, technical challenges may drive certain things to take longer and can be hard to predict. What if a voted feature ends up taking weeks/months longer than expected? Surely they could release other/smaller things in the meanwhile but then what was the point of the vote? There's no sense in voting on implementing features already finished, just put them as they come! Developer utilization is another topic entirely, they all have different roles and specializations.

That being said, we already have a very transparent environment for the development of the game. Devs are always chatting in Discord and checking the forums to see the reactions to new stuff. There's a lot of open conversation. It allows us to see what's happening and share our thoughts, it allows the devs to be aware, and it lets everyone operate in their own lanes. The way things are let things flow much more naturally and avoids having to deal with the overhead of managing a vote system such as:

• Where is the vote held? Discord? Ahwoo? Socials? Not everyone uses every platform.
• Mitigation of gaming the vote systems with alts, etc.
• How long to run a vote for? 24 hours? A week? Variable?
• Do contributors get a bigger say, more votes, etc?
  • If so, how do you make that feel fair to users that love the game but can't afford to contribute?
• Organizing, managing, promoting, and deciphering of the experience.
• How to manage community reaction and response?
• How to change the system based on feedback over time?

This all veers much farther into the "Community Management" side of things that RW has expressly avoided with KSA so far. They'd rather just make the game.

So I understand the idea, and maybe there would be instances where something like this could be fun, but I have doubts that it should serve as a staple of the game's development identity.

---

A Different Perspective on Community-Driven Input​

I actually understand and respect most of your concerns — especially around fragmentation, disappointment, and the risks of “too many cooks in the kitchen.” Those are very real issues.

But I think the idea of community involvement doesn’t necessarily have to conflict with RW’s current development style — it just needs to be structured correctly.

---

It Doesn’t Have to Be Chaos — It Can Be Systematic​

A voting system doesn’t mean “everyone decides everything.”
It can be designed as a controlled layer of feedback, not a replacement for developer vision.

For example:

• Votes could be hosted on the official website/forum
• Only accounts with a certain account age can participate (to prevent alt abuse)
• Voting periods could be fixed (e.g. 1 week per cycle)
• Developers still define the options, not the players

This already removes a lot of the “chaos factor.”

---

Fairness Matters More Than Monetization​

I strongly believe that:

Financial contributors should NOT have more voting power.

Creating inequality between players based on money would be a terrible direction.

People who financially support the project usually do so because they believe in it, not because they expect control.

If anything:

• Supporters could get cosmetics, recognition, or special side interactions
• Maybe separate fun polls, not core gameplay decisions

But core decisions should remain equal for everyone.

---

Community Management Should Be Distributed​

One of the biggest points I agree with is that this quickly becomes a community management challenge.

But that’s exactly why:

RW shouldn’t be the one managing it directly.

Instead, this can be handled by:

• Regional/community managers
• Organized volunteer teams
• Structured moderation and analysis groups

For example:

• Each region (MENA, Türkiye, EU, etc.) gathers feedback in its own language
• Local managers organize and summarize requests
• All regions feed into a shared pool of ideas
• Priorities can emerge based on combined demand across regions

This actually makes feedback more accurate, not less.

---

Community Reaction Isn’t a Problem — It’s a Signal​

If the community reacts strongly to something, that’s not a failure —
it’s valuable data.

That’s where community managers step in:

• Translating feedback
• Filtering noise vs real demand
• Communicating clearly between players and developers

Without this layer, feedback is just scattered opinions.

---

Systems Can Evolve Over Time​

This doesn’t need to be perfect from day one.

The system can:

• Start small (limited polls, experimental runs)
• Improve based on feedback
• Expand as the community grows

So instead of being a “burden,” it becomes a scalable system.

---

Final Thought​

I don’t think the goal is to replace RW’s direction —
but to enhance it with structured community insight.

Also, expecting RW to both:

• Develop the game
• AND fully manage a growing global community

…is honestly unrealistic.

There are already many people willing to help — myself included.
For example, I would personally be interested in contributing as a regional/community manager for MENA or Türkiye, helping with:

• Community organization
• Localization / language support
• Regional outreach and growth

Let RW focus on building the game.
Let the community help organize itself — in a structured way.

 

[Proftvv]

@Proftvv : Very nice picture !

I think it’s an absolutely brilliant idea to gather ideas and make suggestions. Many fans would surely be willing to contribute for free.
In my opinion, a KSP with the Realism Overhaul mod set in a world with intelligent kittens would be a very good foundation for the game. But I would also love to see an adventurous, exciting, and heartwarming story as the ultimate crowning touch—something that gives the project an emotional heart.

---

Thank you, I really appreciate it!

And honestly, I completely agree with you — the idea of combining something like a realism-driven foundation with a unique and emotional identity is what could truly make this game stand out.

A KSP-style depth with a Realism Overhaul approach, but placed in a world of intelligent kittens… that’s already a very strong and unique base. It gives both:

• Serious simulation potential
• And a creative, memorable identity

But what you said about a story is actually very important.

---

The “Emotional Core” is What Makes It Special​

A lot of space/simulation games are technically impressive, but they often feel… empty.

Adding:

• A sense of adventure
• A progression with meaning
• And especially a heartwarming narrative layer

…could turn Kitten Space Agency into something people don’t just play, but actually connect with.

Imagine:

• Following a small kitten crew growing into a full space agency
• Missions that aren’t just technical, but emotionally memorable
• A world that feels alive, not just simulated

That’s the kind of thing that people remember for years.

---

Community + Vision = Something Unique​

This is also where community ideas can really shine — not by replacing the developers’ vision, but by:

• Expanding creative directions
• Bringing in different perspectives
• Helping highlight what resonates emotionally with players

Because sometimes the best ideas come from players who simply love the world.

---

Final Thought​

If Kitten Space Agency manages to balance:

• Realistic mechanics
• Creative worldbuilding
• And a strong emotional/story layer

…it could become something truly special, not just another space sandbox.

 

[Proftvv]

so...roadmap...well, I saw several things and as a hobby developer regarding space 3D-engines I have to say: wow..what a unbelievable powerful and awsom approach regarding simulation / and look...Saturn and the rings...water simulation...120 FPS...no stuttering...zoom in and out...texture quality and streaming...ENGINE seams to be great...and that`s the first/major deal, isn`t it. Now, I want to see the analog Kerbal Space Programm first steps as soon as possible ...however...exploding cute cats, really ? Well, Barnabas Kerbal was cute too...

---

Yeah, I get exactly what you mean

From a technical perspective, the engine already looks incredibly solid — honestly, that’s probably the hardest part of a project like this. Smooth performance, large-scale rendering, seamless zoom, stable FPS… those are things you can’t easily fix later. So having that foundation early on is a huge win.

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“Kerbal-like first steps” — totally agree​

I’m also really looking forward to those early gameplay milestones:

• Basic rocket building
• First launches (and failures )
• Figuring out how things actually work

That “trial and error” phase is what made games like KSP so memorable in the first place.

---

About the… exploding cats ​

I get the hesitation — it does sound a bit weird out of context.

But honestly, I think it comes down to tone and presentation:

• If it’s overly slapstick → it could break immersion
• But if it’s handled more subtly → it can still fit the world

After all, like you said, Barnabas Kerbal was cute too… and we’ve all sent him on questionable missions

The key is finding the balance between:

• Lighthearted charm
• And respecting the simulation aspect

---

Final thought​

Right now, I think RW is doing the smartest thing possible:

Build a strong technical core first, then layer gameplay and identity on top.

If they nail that balance between:

• Solid simulation
• Engaging early gameplay
• And a consistent tone

…we could be looking at something really special.

 

[Terra Incognita]

Please don't paste AI-generated responses into discussions on the forums. Doing so discourages conversation and buries the actual ideas being discussed under reformatted fluff.

If you have thoughts on a topic, please share them in your own words. That's what makes a forum worth reading.

 

[iaidoka]

Please don't paste AI-generated responses into discussions on the forums. Doing so discourages conversation and buries the actual ideas being discussed under reformatted fluff.

If you have thoughts on a topic, please share them in your own words. That's what makes a forum worth reading.

Seconded. While I wish the forum were more active, I don't need to talk to ChatGPT here. If they don't bother writing it, why should I bother reading it or even humour it with a response.

That said, the notion of community vote driven development seems silly, and to be honest, a bit preposterous to demand. It's Rocketwerkz's brainchild, they should shape its future. I hope they have a strong vision, and consider community feedback, and I think they do. Just look at all the effort expended towards linux compatibility, that's certainly a response to fairly vocal group of players.

 

[Proftvv]

Please don't paste AI-generated responses into discussions on the forums. Doing so discourages conversation and buries the actual ideas being discussed under reformatted fluff.

If you have thoughts on a topic, please share them in your own words. That's what makes a forum worth reading.

You're right, but I try to avoid grammar mistakes in my long texts. Since English isn't my native language and I speak very little in my daily life, I make a lot of grammar errors. After writing long texts, I get help to correct the grammar mistakes; I don't see a problem with that, but if you do, I can't say anything. I actively continue to speak and learn to correct my grammar mistakes, but as you can imagine, it's difficult to do this in my school, work, and daily home life.

 

[Proftvv]

You're right in some ways, and I understand your point.

But just to be clear, I’m not trying to push a “community decides everything” idea or take anything away from RW. It’s their project, and of course they should shape its future. I actually agree with that.

What I was trying to say is more about organizing feedback better, not controlling development. As the community grows, feedback gets scattered everywhere — Discord, forums, random comments — and even if RW is doing a good job reading it now, it can get messy over time.

A more structured approach (not necessarily full voting on everything) could just help:

• Make feedback easier to track
• Show what people care about more clearly
• Reduce noise

That’s all.

Also, about the ChatGPT part — I understand why it might bother you.
But like I mentioned to someone else:

English is not my native language, and I don’t use it much in daily life. When I write long texts, I make a lot of grammar mistakes. So after writing, I sometimes get help to fix the grammar. I don’t see a problem with that, but if you do, I can’t really say anything.

I’m still trying to improve by actually writing and communicating, but as you can imagine, it’s not that easy with school, work, and daily life.

So yeah, no bad intentions here — just trying to share an idea and have a discussion

Seconded. While I wish the forum were more active, I don't need to talk to ChatGPT here. If they don't bother writing it, why should I bother reading it or even humour it with a response.

That said, the notion of community vote driven development seems silly, and to be honest, a bit preposterous to demand. It's Rocketwerkz's brainchild, they should shape its future. I hope they have a strong vision, and consider community feedback, and I think they do. Just look at all the effort expended towards linux compatibility, that's certainly a response to fairly vocal group of players.

 

[Terra Incognita]

You're right, but I try to avoid grammar mistakes in my long texts. Since English isn't my native language and I speak very little in my daily life, I make a lot of grammar errors. After writing long texts, I get help to correct the grammar mistakes; I don't see a problem with that, but if you do, I can't say anything. I actively continue to speak and learn to correct my grammar mistakes, but as you can imagine, it's difficult to do this in my school, work, and daily home life.

Correcting grammar is totally fine, no one has an issue with that, but there's a clear difference between cleaning up your English and having AI restructure and rewrite your entire post for you. That's not proofreading.

Honestly I'd prefer the grammar mistakes and your own authentic voice. I think most people here would too.