KSA Multiplayer Mod

Multiplayer mod for Kitten Space Agency v3014+

Requirements

• KSA version 3014 or later
• .NET 10 Desktop Runtime (REQUIRED)
• Download from: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/10.0
• Select ".NET Desktop Runtime" for Windows x64

Installation

1. Install .NET 10 Desktop Runtime first!
2. Run Install.bat (or right-click Install.ps1 and Run with PowerShell)
3. Use the "KSA with Mods" shortcut on your desktop

Or specify a custom KSA path:

.\Install.ps1 -KSAPath "D:\Games\Kitten Space Agency"

Usage

1. Launch KSA using the "KSA with Mods" shortcut
2. Press ~ to open console
3. Type mp_ui to open the Multiplayer window

Important: System Matching

All players must be running the same solar system configuration!

Before connecting, ensure everyone selected the same system at startup: - Solar System - Earth and Moon - Earth Only

If systems don't match, the connection will be refused with an error message.

Multiplayer Window Features

Connection Section: - Server IP (remembered between sessions) - Port and Player Name fields - Host/Join/Disconnect buttons

Player List: - Shows all connected players - Green [SYNC] = player in same time - Orange [+X.Xs] = player ahead/behind in time

Chat: - Send and receive messages with other players

Time Sync: - Dropdown to select which player to sync to - Only shows players who are ahead in time - Click "Sync" to jump forward and match their time

Settings: - Toggle nametags - Toggle debug logging

Cheats (collapsible): - Teleport to another player (only available when synced)

Debug (collapsible): - Subspace status and sync info - Local simulation time and speed - Network connection details - Remote vehicle count and events - Per-player time tracking

Subspace System (LMP-Style)

Players can time warp independently without breaking multiplayer:

• In Sync (Yellow markers): Players at same simulation time can see each other's vessels in 3D and on map
• Out of Sync (Red markers on map): Players at different times see each other as "ghosts" - visible on map only, hidden in 3D flight view
• Sync Up: Use the Time Sync dropdown to jump forward and match another player's time

This allows: - Independent time warping for long journeys - Rejoining other players when ready - No desync crashes from time differences

Console Commands

• mp_ui - Toggle multiplayer UI window
• mp_host <n> <port> <maxPlayers> - Host a server
• mp_join <n> <ip> <port> - Join a server
• mp_disconnect - Disconnect from session
• mp_status - Show connection status
• mp_chat <message> - Send chat message
• mp_vehicles - List remote vehicles
• mp_goto <playerName> - Teleport to a player's vehicle
• mp_clearlogs - Clear all log files
• mp_logdir - Show log directory path

Architecture

This mod uses event-based synchronization with LMP-style subspace:

• Vehicles sync when maneuvers occur (engine on, RCS, throttle changes)
• Between maneuvers, KSA's deterministic Kepler physics propagates orbits
• Time warp triggers position update when exiting back to 1x
• Players at different simulation times become "ghosts" to each other
• No constant network spam - only syncs when needed

Log Files

When debug logging is enabled, logs are written to: Content\Multiplayer\logs\

Log files (each includes player name): - TimeSync_*.log - Time synchronization events - Subspace_*.log - Subspace changes - Sync_*.log - Vehicle sync events - Players_*.log - Player join/leave - Network_*.log - Connection status - Vehicles_*.log - Remote vehicles - Events_*.log - Maneuver detection - GOTO_*.log - Teleport operations - Renderer_*.log - Vehicle rendering - Patches_*.log - Harmony patch activity - NameTags_*.log - Nametag rendering

Troubleshooting

"You must install .NET Desktop Runtime" error

Download and install .NET 10 Desktop Runtime from: https://dotnet.microsoft.com/en-us/download/dotnet/10.0

"System Mismatch" error on connect

All players must select the same solar system at game startup. Restart the game and select the same system as the host.

Mod doesn't load / No multiplayer menu

Make sure you're launching via "KSA with Mods" shortcut, not the regular KSA.exe

Vehicles don't appear

1. Check that both players have debug logging enabled
2. Examine the log files in Content\Multiplayer\logs\
3. Ensure players are "in sync" (yellow markers, not red ghosts)

Markers frozen or not updating

Make sure both players are running the latest version of the mod.

Package Contents

KSA-Multiplayer-Package/
├── Install.ps1
├── Install.bat
├── README.md
├── Launcher/
│   ├── KSA.ModLoader.cmd
│   ├── KSA.ModLoader.exe
│   ├── KSA.ModLoader.dll
│   ├── KSA.ModLoader.deps.json
│   ├── KSA.ModLoader.runtimeconfig.json
│   └── 0Harmony.dll
└── Content/
    └── Multiplayer/
        ├── KSA.Mods.Multiplayer.dll
        └── mod.toml

Version History

v0.1.0 (Current)

• Initial release for KSA v3014
• Real-time vehicle synchronization
• Event-based architecture for efficient network updates
• LMP-style subspace system for independent time warp
• System validation (players must use same solar system)
• In-game chat
• Player nametags
• Time synchronization with player selection dropdown
• Ghost mode: out-of-sync players visible on map only
• EVA support
• Debug logging system