No Man’s Sky Launches Innovative Experimental Branch

No Man’s Sky has rolled out a new experimental branch specifically for Steam. This initiative is aimed at addressing some persistent multiplayer and performance bugs players have been dealing with. While the tweaks being trialed might seem minor at first glance, they have the potential to really enhance the gameplay experience for No Man’s Sky fans as we move into 2024.

Even though No Man’s Sky debuted back in 2016, Hello Games hasn’t slowed down when it comes to updating the game. They’ve continually released updates that not only squash bugs but also introduce exciting new content. The game’s rocky launch was met with mixed reviews, but Hello Games’ dedication over the years has transformed it into what many in the community view as one of gaming’s greatest comebacks. This year alone, No Man’s Sky has benefited from several free updates, including Worlds Part 1, which revamped many environment features, adding dramatic volumetric clouds, improved water effects, and a slew of new planet types teeming with diverse wildlife, ready for players to discover.

As 2024 draws to a close, Hello Games has thrown their hat in the ring with yet another experimental branch, released on November 28 for Steam users. The patch is geared towards resolving multiplayer connection hiccups on the PS4 and preventing crashes when playing the PS4 version on a PS5. Additionally, they’ve tackled issues related to merging ship inventories and performance lag on Macs. A noteworthy enhancement in this patch is an optimization of wind calculations, potentially leading to more stunning and dynamic environments in the game.

Now, if you’re up for giving this experimental branch a try, here’s how you can dive in: from your Steam Library, right-click on No Man’s Sky and click on Properties. Head to the Betas tab, enter “3xperimental” as the access code, and select Check Code. Once all that’s done, you can choose the experimental branch from the dropdown menu.

With these new enhancements in testing, Hello Games advises players to back up their save files beforehand just to steer clear of unforeseen issues that might pop up during testing. They recommend creating a local backup of the st_[userid] folder: on PC, it’s found at %appdata%\HelloGames\NMS\, and on a Mac, it’s at ~/Library/Application Support/HelloGames/NMS/. Another important note: avoid using an experimental save file in the main branch if you decide to exit the testing phase. The studio reassures fans that these fixes will roll out to other platforms as soon as they’re ready.

The unwavering resolve of Hello Games to keep No Man’s Sky fresh and engaging is truly commendable. The game’s relevancy is evidenced by the thousands of players still actively exploring the game on Steam alone, and its recent upgrade to a “Very Positive” rating on the platform reflects substantial improvements since its initial launch.

On top of the recent experimental branch, Hello Games recently shared what’s in store for No Man’s Sky fans this holiday season. Players can look forward to five exciting expeditions replaying over two weeks each, with the Omega expedition already in progress.

Here are some of the November 28 experimental branch patch highlights:
– Fixed an issue that could cause ship inventories to merge.
– Optimized wind calculations for more immersive environments.
– Resolved multiplayer connection issues on PS4.
– Fixed a crash when using the PS4 version on a PS5.
– Addressed a performance problem on Macs due to application focus loss.

With its vast universe to explore and a treasure trove of adventures waiting at every turn, No Man’s Sky continues to captivate players worldwide. Whether building space fleets, battling alien foes, or uncovering mysteries across the cosmos, the boundless universe of No Man’s Sky invites players to delve deeper and explore the limitless possibilities it offers.