No Man’s Sky is an upcoming title for PC and PS4 developed by the small team at Hello Games. It has captivated audiences at trade shows and even seemed to impress Stephen Colbert, the host of The Late Show on CBS. Unfortunately, details seem a bit scarce on the game so far and, despite the hype, it could be a potential letdown for gamers if the launch isn’t handled properly. Pairing the game with VR support, which is something Sony will be pushing when it launches its PlayStation VR hardware, is one way that the companies could help maintain interest in both properties; something Sony should be keen on doing since it has exclusive console rights to No Man’s Sky .
What is known about No Man’s Sky at this point is the scope of the game; it will feature a procedurally generated universe according to rules and parameters the developers designed. Even they themselves don’t know what to expect from the game; once they developed a table of elements, physics, and laws for evolution, they sat back and let the science of their universe run its course . Exploration and discovery lie at the heart of the game and players will be to leave their mark on their discoveries for future explorers to one day find. In fact, the game is so large that we will never be able to see all of it before our actual sun burns out. As novel as this idea is, it also seems likely that the game will eventually be a pretty lonely, insular experience as the player base scatters outwards into space. This may drive away some players, but it could also lead to an online community where people are eager to share their discoveries and stories.
But how to curtail that sense of loneliness or boredom without packing the game with action? Heightening the sense of exploration and immersion with virtual reality seems like a viable approach.
For those who haven’t gotten a chance to try VR yet, this may sound like nothing more than a gimmick. Virtual reality has been hard to handle properly in the past, and most gamers regard the concept with understandable skepticism. PlayStation VR and its competition, the Oculus Rift, however, could be the catalysts that change the public perception of VR. If handled properly, it could be the next, natural step for gaming. It just needs to be paired with proper IPs.
Speaking from personal experience, having played Eve Valkyrie a few years back, freely looking out from all angles of a cockpit as you careen around objects in space, is an awesome sensation. Having once taken a virtual tour of Paris on the Oculus Rift, I can attest to the sense of scale you get when you stare up at a tall building or peer down from a great height. Even though it’s all simulation, the devices do manage to trick your mind. It all feels so natural yet fantastic. These effects are perfect for a game centered around exploring both uncharted space and foreign planets.
Luckily, this pairing isn’t totally out of the question. Reports indicate that Hello Games has been experimenting with both PlayStation VR and the Rift. Since the only platforms the game will be available on offer equally engaging VR hardware, Hello Games wouldn’t have to worry about alienating part of their audience. This lends more feasibility to the idea. Furthermore, when asked about support during an interview with Edge, Sean Murray responded, rather coyly, “I don’t know what I’m allowed to say.” It’s hard not to speculate when developers give answers like that.
But it certainly seems like smart business and a compelling design choice. No Man’s Sky could be the game that really sells the public on virtual reality, and virtual reality could be the feature that keeps gamers engaging with No Man’s Sky far longer than they would otherwise. With so much apparent potential synergy, it wouldn’t at all surprise me to hear an announcement in regards to this sometime soon.