One thing that's been irritating about No Man's Sky's publicity campaign is that it's been, well, ambiguous to say the least. At a preview event earlier in the year we outright asked a Hello Games developer if the marks that players leave on planets are stored server-side, and we were given a definitive yes answer – only for Sean Murray to rule it out in interviews around the same time, making us look like idiots.
But the biggest question that's been pointed at the game since its announcement is whether you'll be able to bump into other players. In various interviews, Murray has insinuated that it is possible to encounter other people, it's just incredibly unlikely given the size and scale of the game's universe. But, unsurprisingly, it's actually already happened. In fact, two Twitch streamers stood in the exact same spot, on the same planet, in the same solar system – and they couldn't see each other.
Now, the game could potentially use some nifty instancing code that prevented the two explorers from bumping into each other, but if it's already rare that you'll encounter other people, then why would Hello Games write this feature in the first place? We're sure that Murray will have something to say about this soon, but it's insane to think that it's launch day, and we're still waiting for one of the game's biggest questions to be cleared up.
[source reddit.com]
Comments 28
Why does it need to be answered on launch day? Why does everything have to be instantly known?
Well, the game isn't free (full retail even). It's not strange people want to know what they are buying; a singleplayer or multiplayer game.
I myself am not really interested in it, though, I'll buy the game regardless.
@Dreamcaster-X Because you'd think a major feature like this would have been cleared up months and months ago, yet it's launch day and still no one knows whether the game actually has multiplayer or not.
@get2sammyb For one, I'm really bummed out about this. How insane would it be to actually bump into someone? It would be like a plot device in a sci-fi flick. Who is that? Are they friendly? Will we be able to communicate? Trade? Team up? Are they going to take my stuff and leave me here to die? There's seriously a hundred ways it could go.
Or not. Apparently not.
They've said several times it is possible to run into other players but due to the size of the game it's not likely to happen frequently.
That's part of the reason I was on the fence about it. How cool would it be to do it co-op. Discover planets with your buddy....
@Dreamcaster-X And here we have two people standing in the exact same spot on the exact same planet and they can't see each other. Something's weird.
https://twitter.com/nomanssky/status/762688708764135425 Sean Murrays twitter - To be super clear - No Man's Sky is not a multiplayer game. Please don't go in looking for that experience.
As reported by Kotaku - 2 Players attempted to meet up: The players, who go by TheSadCactus and Psytokat, could not see each other even though they coordinated to make sure they were in the same place. This all began when TheSadCactus stumbled across a world already discovered by Psytokat. TheSadCactus then messaged the planet's discoverer, attempting to coordinate so that they could test out No Man's Sky's multi-player. They made it to the same place--standing outside the same settlement--and while the world appeared identical, they never caught sight of each other. The fact that you can pause the game suggests that players are on their own instances in No Man's Sky's servers but the discovery mechanics do work: one player found a plant, and his name appeared on the other player's screen as the discoverer when the plant was inspected.
This game really needed land vehicles. I would love to just buggy around. Also, that was mean of them to lie like that. I can only imagine what they really think of journalists...
Am I right in saying that the back of the box says "1 PLAYER"? Shouldn't that be the best indication of whether the game has multiplayer or not, as opposed to what people have been projecting onto the game?
Of course, Hello Games could have made this a little clearer!
@Scubafinch probably says that for legal reasons.
@goonow Yeah, most likely.
Looking forward to picking up the game today with the AU/EU release. Nice to have a PG release that my space obsessed 8 year old can appreciate!
@get2sammyb - playing devils advocate, I think it's pretty obvious and already stated its NOT multiplayer.
It's a bit of a shame that the articles I'm willing to read re NMS have yet to surface; namely, what's it like to control and fly ships, have battles in space - or go underwater? And I mean how does it FEEL?
I would also say that Sean has been quite clear on this a number of times; you can AFFECT each other's universe to leave lasting effects, but you won't bump into anyone else.
I'll be giving this game it's due consideration and playtime this weekend, and as its solitary experience will no doubt add to its charm - I play Destiny & GTA Online so frankly could do without more multiplayer for other games right now - I'm much more interested in descriptive, articulate and detailed experiences peeps and reviewers are having.
I'm looking forward to forging my own journey in this game and a non-spoilery review on Push Square, lets all remember that multiplayer was never really a serious consideration when buying this game for a sizeable proportion of NMS fans!
It's a shame they weren't more clear on that. No doubt they will explain at some point. I'm guessing you will be able to meet others randomly but you are designated a random server each time you log in. Maybe?
Well that sucks. I was sure they'd said you could meet up, it was just unlikely to happen. Unless that's 'allowed' after you reach the centre of the universe/finish the single player...
@goonow That's a really good idea, a halo 1 like vehicles to drive around on planet sound cool.
I like the idea of planet names sticking and being able to discover other peoples planets. I am not too fussed about meet ups but I also do like the idea of doing fly bys.
Either way, am looking forward to the Pushsquare review. Regardless of any split in opinion, it is great such attempted innovation is coming to the PS4.
It's literally described as single player on the box, but yes Hello Games could have been much clearer about all this.
In all honesty, I'd actively prefer it if I never came across another human player. Evidence of their presence, sure, but I have no interest in teaming up or fighting with people or doing anything more than observing their discoveries.
I think the possibility of meeting up with another person is infinitesimally small but still a small possibility and that's why this was said. Planning to meet up with someone specific though is almost impossible. You would need to be in the exact same point in the universe and on the exact same server. Its more likely that you 'may' bump into some random player by chance but considering the size of this, all those potential planets as well as the 'space' between - even if you on the same planet, on the same server at the same time, you could miss that chance encounter.
Surely they're just on different servers? I don't see what the fuss is about this
To be honest, I'm having so much fun with this that I don't care. I'm too busy learning alien languages, finding new life-forms and jumping into motherf*cking hyperspace to worry at this point.
Anyone that thought a game with a bazillion generated planets would include the netcode to actually see and interact with other players is a fool.
It was always just going to be names and nothing else.
For me the pre-release information from the developer stated you would observe the changes players had made within the game - naming etc but would never interact with or see other players. That's how I'd described it to friends. So not sure why there is confusion...
So by day1 we find that multiplayer (which Sean Murray has been on video saying was possible) is actually not possible because now this isnt a game with that intention.
And we find that by day1 two players already interacted with the same planet, which Hello Games has said was near impossible because of how "huge" the universe is.
Just for the sake of comparison, it took longer for people to play through the Silent Hills and Resident Evil 7 demos......
@dps5pt
Here's one reason for the confusion. We as gamers can only go by what the developers are willing to tell us about their product..
Exhibit A:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ORFgfhj_hM
Someone tweeted Sean Murray asking about this and he responded that servers are having a rough time. Not quite a confirmation but to me it sounds like multiplayer is a thing.
@Dreamcaster-X Because we lived a time where games were complete at the release day.
Maaaaaan. I was really hoping it was multi-player. Miiiiight be a deal breaker for me.
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