A new update has been announced for No Man’s Sky, which is set to introduce a full multiplayer mode to its vast galaxy of space funk.
It’s nearly two years since the game rocketed on to the scene. Unfortunately that means it’s nearly two years since it spluttered down in our expectations. But in that time, and by that I mean mostly the last year or so, Hello Games has worked hard to turn the rough cookie into the diamond we all longed for it to be. And I must say, they haven’t done a bad job. Better late than never, no?
But the one thing it needed more than anything, not least due to the infinite nature of the game, was a full multiplayer mode that extended way beyond last August’s orb update. Luckily that baby step appears to have matured into a Usain Bolt stride as that’s what we’re getting.
Sean Murray took to the Inside Xbox YouTube channel to discuss the forthcoming changes, eager to stress the joint exploration that we can expect. Practically the pinnacle of its potential.
“That’s always been the potential I think everyone could see in what we were making, it’s been a lot of hard work, but thanks to the team and the community we are so glad to finally able to make it a reality,” an online statement read.
The official press statement added the following:
- Explore the infinite universe with your friends, or bump into random travellers
- As you voyage together, friends will help you stay alive, or prey on others to survive
- Build bases from tiny shelters to complex colonies that you create as a team and can be seen by the community
- Be a pirate or a wingman in epic space battles with friends and foes
- Race exocraft across weird alien terrains and create tracks to share online
So what does this mean? Well, for starters, those glowing orbs in the distance will now appear as real ships. And you can share the tasks, 70:30 or even 80:20; fair, like. Then there’s the chance to defend your mate in combat, unless you’re more of an “accidental” friendly fire sort of guy. Or gal.
Basically it’s the update we’ve all been waiting for since day zero. And the countdown has finally reached lift off!
The update is called NEXT, because it is, and launches on July 24th. And for those of you who are worried about its robustness, it has been in testing for six months so it should be up to the task. Famous. Last. Words.
Are you still soaring through space in No Man’s Sky? Or have you returned to earth with a thud? Take off your helmet and talk Martian to us.
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