No Man’s Sky is back in the spotlight with its latest experimental update available exclusively for Steam users. This new branch aims to address several issues that players have been encountering, particularly in multiplayer and performance areas. While these tweaks might seem minor at a glance, they have the potential to enhance the overall experience for those hopping into No Man’s Sky in 2024.
Since its initial debut back in 2016, No Man’s Sky has seen a rollercoaster of updates from its creators, Hello Games. Initially met with mixed reviews, the game has transformed remarkably over the years. The studio’s consistent updates have turned its reception around, making it one of gaming’s most commendable comeback stories. Just this year, players have benefited from numerous free updates, including “Worlds Part 1,” which introduced significant improvements like improved planet environments, volumetric clouds, and enhanced water effects. Moreover, it introduced new planetary types teeming with undiscovered wildlife.
As 2024 draws to a close, Hello Games is once again shaking things up. On November 28, they launched this new experimental feature, inviting Steam players to test it out. The update introduces solutions to connection issues for PS4 multiplayer, addresses PS5 crashes when running the PS4 version, and fixes a ship inventory merging problem. Additionally, it promises improved performance on Mac through optimized wind calculations, which should result in more realistic worlds.
Now, if you’re keen on diving into this experimental phase of No Man’s Sky, here’s how you can do it:
– Open Steam and find No Man’s Sky in your library.
– Right-click the game and select Properties.
– Head over to the Betas tab.
– Enter the code “3xperimental,” click Check Code, and then select the experimental branch.
Hello Games advises those exploring the experimental path to back up their save files, just in case new bugs surface. Players should ensure they have a local copy of their save data – on PC, that’s the st_[userid] folder at %appdata%\HelloGames\NMS\, and on Mac, it’s found at ~/Library/Application Support/HelloGames/NMS/. It’s also important not to mix experimental saves with the main game’s version if you decide to switch back.
Hello Games has shown relentless dedication to refining No Man’s Sky, and this commitment is reflected in its growing thriving player base. Impressively, the game’s reviews on Steam have recently reached a “Very Positive” status, representing the vast improvements made since launch.
Additionally, Hello Games has delighted fans with news about upcoming holiday content for 2024. Players can look forward to five expeditions being rerun over this festive period, each lasting two weeks, with the first one, Omega, already in progress.
For those curious about the details, here’s a quick rundown of the November 28 patch notes for the experimental branch:
– Fixed a rare issue causing ship inventories to merge.
– Streamlined wind calculations for performance.
– Resolved multiplayer connectivity issues on PS4.
– Corrected crashes when playing the PS4 version on PS5.
– Fixed Mac performance issues related to application focus loss.
Embark on your journey through this expansive sci-fi universe, beginning your adventure in the Euclid galaxy. No Man’s Sky offers a vast, procedurally generated world filled with life, danger, and countless mysteries. Whether you choose to command an imposing fleet or construct bases across uncharted planets, the universe is yours to explore with endless possibilities.
