Everything You Need to Know about the No Man’s Sky Next Update

When Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky released near the end of 2016, it was met with more than lackluster reviews and heavy criticism from gamers. That criticism soon led to outrage, as people began compiling clips of Hello Games’ founder, Sean Murray, explaining which features we could expect to see in the game, when in reality those features and gameplay mechanics were nonexistent at launch.

Since the overwhelming backlash almost two years ago, Hello Games has been trying to redeem itself and develop No Man’s Sky into something that looks like what the day-one release should have been and more. Now, the studio is set to release its biggest update for the game yet, called No Man’s Sky Next. Here is everything you need to know about it.

Multiplayer:

While No Man’s Sky Next is massive, one of the most note-worth elements in the update is the addition of a full multiplayer experience. According to Sean Murray’s post on the PlayStation Blog, now players will be able to team up with friends to explore the procedurally-generated universes together, “or be joined by random travellers.” The new multiplayer feature will also allow for character customization, and the addition of race tracks that can be shared online. Below are the official details from Murray:

• Team up a small team of friends and explore the universe together, or be joined by random travellers.
• Help friends stay alive, or prey on others to survive
• Tiny shelters or complex colonies that you build as a team are shared for all players
• Fight as a pirate of a wingman in epic space battles with friends and enemies.
• Race exocraft across weird alien terrains, creating race tracks and trails to share online.
• Character customization allows you to personalize your appearance.

A Complete Visual + Gameplay Overhaul: 

Along with the implementation of a multiplayer feature, No Man’s Sky Next allows the game to be fully playable in third person, “both on-foot and in ship.” The team at Hello Games has also overhauled the base-building features, where now bases can be built anywhere, on any planet, with new base parts available.

Command Freighters: 

Players will now be able to create, upgrade, and command frigates from the bridge of their freighters. Fleets can be sent into the universe on your command, or they can be tremendously helpful as during the exploration of a specific system.

Release Date + Price: 

No Man’s Sky Next is a completely free update for those who already own the game. The update will be available on July 24th, and it will also be the official release of No Man’s Sky on Xbox One, as the game exclusively launched on PS4 August 2016.