Hello Games revealed today that a No Man's Sky Next-Gen update is under preparation and will be released on the respective launch days for Sony's PlayStation 5 and Microsoft's Xbox Series S/X next month. While this year was already full of surprises for No Man's Sky fans (Living Ships, Exo Mech, Desolation, Cross-Play, Game Pass, and Origins), the developers are calling this their biggest undertaking yet.
First of all, existing customers on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One will be able to upgrade to No Man's Sky Next-Gen for free as well as retain their existing progress through saves.
Secondly, on the technical front, this update will enable 4K@60FPS visuals on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Sony's console will also enjoy exclusive support for features such as the DualSense controller's haptics, the Tempest 3D AudioTech, and of course support for the PlayStation VR version of the game through backward compatibility. Lastly, users playing on next-gen consoles and PC will now get to explore 'fuller worlds' that are more densely populated and detailed.
Below you'll find a gallery of screenshots, a series of highlighted features, and the brand new No Man's Sky Next-Gen debut trailer. For the full update patch notes, head to the official website.
Fuller worlds
Next generation hardware allows No Man’s Sky’s procedural generation to create lusher, richer and more densely populated universes than ever before. Planet surfaces are even more detailed, with thousands more rocks, alien grasses, and exotic flora on screen at any time. Also available to PC players.
32 player multiplayer
For the first time on console, up to 32 players can join forces to build, survive, fight and explore the galaxy together.
4K at 60FPS
On next-generation consoles players can experience the universe in pin-sharp detail at higher framerates.
Ultra visuals
Explore alien vistas with improved shadows, greater draw distances, thousands more objects on screen and improved lighting and volumetric effects.
Vast base building
Players can now work together to build huge off-world colonies, with the ability to construct and render far more vast and complex bases on screen.
Warp speed load times
Explore the universe instantly with 5-10x reduction in loading times. On next-gen consoles, you can warp from solar system to solar system in an instant.
Crossplay
Next-generation explorers will be able to join together with other adventurers on all other platforms, including previous generations.
Upgrading
Not only will previous owners of No Man’s Sky on current-generation consoles be able to upgrade their game to next-generation for free when the new machines launch in their territory, but their progress can be carried across to their new console.
An evolving game
Just another step on the evolution of the best-selling title, No Man's Sky Next Generation will come preloaded with the previous four years of huge upgrades from day one. Join in the journey at our most important moment yet.
Haptic controls (PS5 only)
From the satisfying feeling of firing your boltcaster, to the gentle nudge of a building part slotting into place in a space habitat or the firm click of the trigger in your interstellar ship - haptic controls allow players to feel immersed in an alien world as never before.
Advanced audio (PS5 only)
Immersion has always been a pillar of No Man's Sky. Thanks to PlayStation 5’s Tempest 3D AudioTech, players will be able to soak in the ambience of an alien planet, or feel a ship fly overhead like never before.
PS VR (PS5)
No Man’s Sky is fully playable in PS VR on PlayStation 5 by virtue of the backwards compatibility functionality.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
