Interest in the space flight simulation game 'Kerbal Space Program' has surged following the launch of NASA's Artemis II mission, leading the title to break its all-time concurrent player record on Steam.

First released in 2015, Kerbal Space Program is a space sandbox simulation game. It implements the entire process of designing, launching, and returning spacecraft. It has cultivated a dedicated following due to its detailed gameplay based on actual aerodynamics and orbital physics.

On the 13th, the game hit a peak of 21,037 concurrent players, marking an all-time high. It has been on an upward trajectory since late March, and even now, roughly 7,000 people are enjoying the game.

The catalyst for this interest is identified as NASA's Artemis II. The mission concluded its 10-day journey and returned safely on the 11th. It garnered significant attention for being the first crewed lunar flyby in 54 years, featuring the first woman on a lunar mission, and successfully completing its objectives, which seems to have translated into interest in the game.

However, the 2023 successor, 'Kerbal Space Program 2,' did not benefit from this momentum. The game currently holds an 'Overwhelmingly Negative' rating (19% positive) on Steam, with recent concurrent player counts hovering below 200. There has been no change even after the Artemis mission became a hot topic. Users have been critical of the numerous features that remain unimplemented despite a published roadmap, and according to the Steam store page, the developer has not provided an update for approximately 22 months.