No Man’s Sky long awaited multiplayer update is nearly here

IT HAS taken nearly two years, but the promised multiplayer capability for No Man’s Sky is finally here.

IT HAS taken nearly two years, but the promised multiplayer capability for Hello Games’ chill space exploration game No Man’s Sky is finally coming on July 24 as part of a significant update for the game.

No Man’s Sky NEXT, the game’s fourth update, has been stylised and will be free for PlayStation 4 and PC, as well as bringing the game to Xbox One for the first time as well.

In the official announcement on the game’s website, creator Sean Murray said “Nearly two years ago our small team of friends, with a shared love of sci-fi, opened up the universe of No Man’s Sky for the first time. It was an innovative, weird and at times lonely game. I loved that, it reminded me of the science fiction books I grew up with. It was broad in a way that almost no other game is, but with four updates it has become broader and so much deeper too. That will be even more true with the launch of NEXT, bringing a full Multiplayer experience.”

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If the thought of being more or less alone in an infinite universe fills you with an existential dread, then No Man’s Sky is not your game.

According to the announcement, the multiplayer aspect will allow people to team up with a small group of friends, or join with random travellers. Players will be able to work together or fight other players, build shelters and colonies, race vehicles, and personalise their appearance.

The graphics are getting an overhaul, including making the game fully playable from either first or third person perspective.

Base building will also be enhanced, with bases now able to be built anywhere on a planet — and with increased complexity.

Space traders will also have the ability to build a fleet of frigates, use their trading and military fleet to explore the universe, and build an even more customised capital ship.

Mr Murray said the update was “an incredibly important update for us, but it’s also just another step in a longer journey, and we’ll continue to support No Man’s Sky in this way for the foreseeable future.”

Part of the game’s challenge is the environment wants to kill you and pretty much every planet you visit is hazardous in some form or another.

Originally published as No Man’s Sky long awaited multiplayer update is nearly here