Support NeoGAF

[ViewtifulJC]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

 

[RedSwirl]

For people who want a better idea of what this game MIGHT be like, we're thinking it's going to be a more console-friendly version of this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontier:_Elite_II

That game also procedurally generated planets and a whole galaxy and such, it just did it with graphics that look like Star Fox 1 (in the same year Star Fox 1 came out actually). The game before it did this but without the ability to actually land on planets. Someone recently brought to my attention an iOS game heavily inspired by it where you just fly around freely, orbit planets, and deal with people. Elite Dangerous at launch (this month I believe) is going to be like that but with modern high-end PC graphics, adding full planet exploration later on (probably after NMS comes out). There hasn't been a game like this on a console since the NES version of the first Elite.

In these games there isn't really a progression but there is a world built of factions and lore. So I guess it's kind of like a space Skyrim with no main quest? You just do jobs for people and that might piss off one faction or befriend you to another, and it just keeps going.

I know I'm probably wrong, but there's multiple ships on that cover...and they don't seem to be enemies. Group exploration with friends maybe??

Probably non-hostile ships. If NWS is anything like the aforementioned games, it'll probably have factions you can befriend or antagonize.

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

It's been confirmed there will be upgrades you get for your ship, and even whole new ships you can buy. There will be people who give you jobs (quests basically). It's heavily implied like 1% of planets will have intelligent people on them whom you can interact with, probably in the same way. Even the 90% of planets that are dead rocks in space will probably have resources to gather.

All these reactions make me really interested in what the reaction will be to the PS4 version of DayZ, because that game is sort of the same thing, just in a world based on real satellite data. Games like this and Minecraft are kid of just a bunch of factors and systems thrown together, and people perpetually survive within those factors. Games like this are rare on consoles which I guess is why we're getting these reactions.

 

[Carl]

All these good games coming soon and the pick No Man's Sky?

Christ, i actually agree with this guy. Bad times.

 

[E92 M3]

No Man's Sky is basically something like Minecraft in space. I can make my own adventures and explore new planets. Everyone that follows the game knows for what it is. I don't need fancy mechanics and storylines - just want some basic exploration and adventuring. Unfortunately, Minecraft (and Skyrim in certain ways) is the only game that gives me that ability right now. No Man's Sky is a dream game for people like me.

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

Exploration of new territories just like Minecraft. Nothing wrong with have an open-ended game. Not everything needs to be carefully designed by developers, I want to have my own adventures. In Minecraft, I love just choosing a direction and walking.

 

[The Shogun]

Fortnite has not been confirmed for consoles or physical release and has been on the cover.

That is the only possibility of not being physical based pretty much ever. And it still hasn't been confirmed its not coming to console or a physical release.

The evidence is basically overwhelming it will get a physical release. Hell the devs themselves have never ruled it out and now Sony is hyping it that its going to be a major release for the platform. I won't be surprised if both a release date as well as a physical copy of the game are announced at Sony's keynote on Saturday.

 

[Tobor]

What's ironic about that terrible first post is that no matter what you think about the game, it's obviously one of the most highly anticipated games right now.

NMS has earned a cover and then some.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

People are excited about the scope, I think it's more of a technical excitement over a gameplay one. But we don't know much about gameplay.

I for one want to explore planets to discover the different creatures and plant life.

 

[hawk2025]

That is the only possibility of not being physical based pretty much ever. And it still hasn't been confirmed its not coming to console or a physical release.

The evidence is basically overwhelming it will get a physical release. Hell the devs themselves have never ruled it out and now Sony is hyping it that its going to be a major release for the platform. I won't be surprised if both a release date as well as a physical copy of the game are announced at Sony's keynote on Saturday.

Yeah, it's clear that Sony has decided to pour resources into this game to me.


Hopefully it helps Hello deliver on their ambitions

 

[Saint of Killers]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

If you do the simplest bit of research you will find your answers and much more besides. Granted there's no deep knowledge of what the final game will offer but there is a lot information out there in the form of video features and interviews.

 

[Based Calla]

Damn, this game is getting a huge push!

I can't wait for it to be bad like almost every game that's been hyped up this year.

 

[Messofanego]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

Space exploration. Unique visual palette for a sci-fi game. Not just being a FPS. And other stuff. But that won't appeal to everyone, and that's fine.

 

[eyeball_kid]

That cover is beautiful.

I am skeptical of this game delivering the mindblowing experience that the hype around it is suggesting, which reminds me of Molyneux's Black & White prior to release. However, like B&W it will probably be fun for a while, regardless of whether its game systems (and the vague gameplay we still know little about) live up to the anticipation or not. And there's a small chance it will shower our lives with translucent flying bears and rainbow scuttlefish dancing in the moonlight, and I hope it can.

 

[wachie]

what the fuck is up with all the no man's sky hate lately?

It's "exclusive".

 

[BobTheFork]

People are excited about the scope, I think it's more of a technical excitement over a gameplay one. But we don't know much about gameplay.

I for one want to explore planets to discover the different creatures and plant life.

I feel like I can't get connected to the hype until I know more about actual gameplay. The exploration looks really amazing but it's not really getting me excited.

 

[Drazgul]

No Man's Sky is basically something like Minecraft in space. I can make my own adventures and explore new planets. Everyone that follows the game knows for what it is. I don't need fancy mechanics and storylines - just want some basic exploration and adventuring. Unfortunately, Minecraft (and Skyrim in certain ways) is the only game that gives me that ability right now. No Man's Sky is a dream game for people like me.

A huge part of what made Minecraft a success is the ability to build whatever you want as well as alter the terrain with complete freedom. So far I haven't seen anything in NMS that'd be a similar killer feature. Endless exploration is meaningless if there's limited variety (which I can guarantee NMS will have too, procedural generation isn't that great yet) - sooner or later it'll become stale and boring when you figure out everything is built out of the same limited set of building blocks.

I really, really hope they can pull it off and make NMS a lasting experience, but so far I haven't seen anything that could get players hooked for hundreds of hours like MC did.

 

[The Shogun]

Yeah, it's clear that Sony has decided to pour resources into this game to me.


Hopefully it helps Hello deliver on their ambitions

I'm genuinely curious if they are going to be purchased by Sony and become a 1st party studio. Heck during our meetings with Sony back in September they demo'd the game live on Sony's stage and had Sean Murray on stage for an extended length of time talking about the game. They are treating it like a 1st party title.

 

[Marcel]

It's "exclusive".

To be fair, it is actually a timed exclusive for Sony and will release on PC later. Which I don't find to be a big deal in an age where I see people constantly talk about waiting for the Steam sale for any number of upcoming games.

 

[Hugstable]

It's "exclusive".

What? That has nothing do with it. A few of us actually gave an explanation as to why we are skeptical, has nothing to do with exclusivity.

 

[bananafactory]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

Minecraft with an unlimited universe to explore and spaceships sounds great to a lot of people.

 

[ArkkAngel007]

A huge part of what made Minecraft a success is the ability to build whatever you want as well as alter the terrain with complete freedom. So far I haven't seen anything in NMS that'd be a similar killer feature. Endless exploration is meaningless if there's limited variety (which I can guarantee NMS will have too, procedural generation isn't that great yet) - sooner or later it'll become stale and boring when you figure out everything is built out of the same limited set of building blocks.

I really, really hope they can pull it off and make NMS a lasting experience, but so far I haven't seen anything that could get players hooked for hundreds of hours like MC did.

There seems to be a clearer goal and quite a bit of interaction with everything in the game beyond just digging and dealing with zombies and creepers. As someone else mentioned, there are factions in the game and there are hints that will play into things quite a bit.

When compared to Minecraft, it's only for the open, free-form of the game. The trade off for the creative, lego-element of Minecraft will be things closer to PC space-sims and such (though I doubt it will be beyond very simple implementations).

It's a different game, and some people will love it and others will be turned away, just like with everything else. The big problem is that beyond some sizzle reels, we haven't seen much of actual gameplay and how the procedural universe comes into play.

 

[E92 M3]

A huge part of what made Minecraft a success is the ability to build whatever you want as well as alter the terrain with complete freedom. So far I haven't seen anything in NMS that'd be a similar killer feature. Endless exploration is meaningless if there's limited variety (which I can guarantee NMS will have too, procedural generation isn't that great yet) - sooner or later it'll become stale and boring when you figure out everything is built out of the same limited set of building blocks.

I really, really hope they can pull it off and make NMS a lasting experience, but so far I haven't seen anything that could get players hooked for hundreds of hours like MC did.

From what we've been told, you're upgrading ships, finding materials, making alliances, and trying to make your way to the center of the galaxy and dock at a spinning space station for the ultimate reward

 

[Marcel]

What? That has nothing do with it. A few of us actually gave an explanation as to why we are skeptical, has nothing to do with exclusivity.

The person rightly being called out in here was not constructive. According to his post history he is a console fanboy with an axe to grind.

 

[Blablurn]

This game will be crazy. Looking forward for it.

 

[wachie]

To be fair, it is actually a timed exclusive for Sony and will release on PC later. Which I don't find to be a big deal in an age where I see people constantly talk about waiting for the Steam sale for any number of upcoming games.

Which is why I put the word in quotes

 

[SolidSnakex]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

GI did an old preview where they explained some of the things that you can do in the game

Players venture out for improved weapons, scanners, space suits, and ships. While there are no specific classes, adventurers can tailor their skills to a specific playstyle or blend in a bit of everything. If you're mostly interested in combat, you can shoot down pirates and other known villain factions to earn money and invest in fighter ships with more defense and firepower. Players who want to branch out and discover new worlds should buy science craft with longer hyperdrive range and speed, and suits that allow exploration in toxic atmospheres or longer underwater time. Space truckers should invest in bulky cargo ships so they can haul tons of planetside resources to trading posts and spaceports.

That's obviously probably not going to be appealing to people that want or need a big story to move them along, but there are a lot of people that have been hoping for a game that's really about exploration to come along. And right now it seems like NMS is hitting those right notes since it seems like a space exploration game where you can explore the way you want.

 

[todahawk]

"They're heading for the medical frigate" vibe

 

[FireCloud]

All these good games coming soon and the pick No Man's Sky?

One of the worst first posts I've ever seen.

I agree. That post has no flavor, no chips!

 

[Brazil]

No Man's Sky is giving off those terrible Spore pre-launch vibes.

Still, it could be so cool.

 

[Marcel]

For skeptics: I read No Man's Sky as a distilled simulation-lite game that makes things easier but also less immersive from a space piloting/simulation perspective. There's Star Citizen and others for more similar oriented space games.

I'm not letting my hype get the better of me (Destiny taught me a lesson), but I am keeping my eyes on the game.

 

[BumRush]

Honest question: what is the appeal of No Man's Sky?

Are they aren't challenges to overcome or skills to learn? Every demo I've seen just shows you going from a randomly generated planet where there are blue trees and orange lakes, and then you fly out with no big transitions like Star Wars Battlefront and go to another planet and there are yellow trees with orange lakes this time, ooooh.

Like...is that it? Exploring random generated content in the absence of any real developer-crafted level design because the team is so small? A cadre of random sidequests that probably won't be more complex than the boring tedium that populates Destiny's explore mode? This is what everyone is excited about?

I believe there are space battles as well.

 

[Drazgul]

For skeptics: I read No Man's Sky as a distilled 4X-lite game that makes things easier but also less immersive from a space piloting/simulation perspective. There's Star Citizen and others for more simulation oriented space games.

4X means strategy games like Civilization, I don't see any connection there. Or did you mean space sims?

 

[Ray Wonder]

I'm concerned that this game isn't going to be any good. I feel like I'm sending my first born onto a stage for their first talent show.

 

[Grewitch]

I'm...excited for it, but cautiously. I'm a big story/narrative guy, I want exposition and driving factors for exploring and doing things. I'm afraid of another Destiny, which, while I enjoyed it, I ultimately became apathetic and bored after completing the "story".

I feel exactly the same. This game, from what I've seen, is ticking all the boxes, I just hope it delivers on it's ambition. So kudos to the devs for thinking big and look forward to finding out more.

 

[vpance]

Not really getting the Minecraft comparisons. It's more like Elite or Privateer, but with planet exploration and resource gathering. There's an economy in the game.

 

[SolidSnakex]

No Man's Sky is giving off those terrible Spore pre-launch vibes.

Still, it could be so cool.

This is the worst comparison considering the goals Maxis had in mind for Spore

When I talked to Wright, I had played deep into the Space Stage, which I was enjoying. But I had seen complaints from hardcore game reviewers and message board posters that all of the stages have less complex gameplay than many gamers had hoped. As wonderful as the content creation and sharing options are, the one consistent complaint I've seen is that the gameplay seems to have been "dumbed down" for the sake of appealing to a more casual audience. Was it?

"I'd say that's quite accurate," Wright told me. "We were very focused, if anything, on making a game for more casual players. "Spore" has more depth than, let's say, "The Sims" did. But we looked at the Metacritic scores for "Sims 2", which was around 90, and something like "Half-Life", which was 97, and we decided -- quite a while back -- that we would rather have the Metacritic and sales of "Sims 2" than the Metacritic and sales of "Half-Life."

http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/09/07/will-wright-reacts-to-crtical-spore-reviews/

 

[Marcel]

4X means strategy games like Civilization, I don't see any connection there. Or did you mean space sims?

I thought 4X included some games like the X series by Egosoft or EVE Online. I might be wrong obviously.

 

[Nickle]

You people are setting yourself up for massive disapointment.

 

[Veritigo_X]

You people are setting yourself up for massive disapointment.

Care to explain why?

 

[Jimmyfenix]

Care to explain why?

My best guess he won't explain why it will be a massive disappointment .

 

[Admiral Woofington]

You people are setting yourself up for massive disapointment.

Maybe. Maybe not. I think most people are hyped and expecting a very solid game with a lot of ambition. I doubt anybody thinks it's the second coming of Jesus

 

[E92 M3]

Care to explain why?

It's a fun narrative for the people that aren't following the game. On the same level as trashing Destiny.

 

[daveo42]

I'm...excited for it, but cautiously. I'm a big story/narrative guy, I want exposition and driving factors for exploring and doing things. I'm afraid of another Destiny, which, while I enjoyed it, I ultimately became apathetic and bored after completing the "story".

Did you like the exploration aspects of Fallout or Elder Scrolls? I love heavy narrative stuff, but this will probably scratch that exploration itch that seems to drive me the more open-ended games. If it gets exploration right, I think I'm golden.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

Real time zoom out on a PS4 on an unfinished build of the game is promising.

I've gone back and forth on it, honestly. I feel like they can't deliver what they are promising and have it be interesting, but I also feel they are pretty authentically passionate about it. I honestly hope they do make something special.

Parts of their concept are very old indeed, but I think the idea of making it look the way it does and bringing it out on a console with this level of visibility could really make this kind of game a big deal in the coming years.

 

[shinobi602]

Did you like the exploration aspects of Fallout or Elder Scrolls? I love heavy narrative stuff, but this will probably scratch that exploration itch that seems to drive me the more open-ended games. If it gets exploration right, I think I'm golden.

Yea, big time. But they also had core quests and narrative lines to follow which I loved because I could fall back on them when I got 'bored' of exploring.

 

[Amir0x]

You people are setting yourself up for massive disapointment.

only if they don't deliver on the very precise gameplay features they've talked about. Since they've been extremely up front about what this game is

 

[Drazgul]

I thought 4X included some games like the X series by Egosoft or EVE Online. I might be wrong obviously.

X series is a bit of a strange bird with its extensive capabilities of building factories, having AI-controlled trade routes working for you and so on, but it's still a space trade and combat sim at heart. 4X is always about controlling a vast empire rather than any single unit, ship or character (so technically EVE could be a 4X for some clan leaders ).

 

[Miles Quaritch]

what the fuck is up with all the no man's sky hate lately?

Too many smoke and mirror releases, people aren't so willing to take vertical slices at face value any more.

That doesn't mean anyone is hating the game, it's just people are more cautious about the game and aren't so willing to swallow whatever the developer says until they can see and experience it for themselves.

 

[Vulcano's assistant]

Space sims in both EDGE and GI covers it's a nice sign to me.

 

[daveo42]

Yea, big time. But they also had core quests and narrative lines to follow which I loved because I could fall back on them when I got 'bored' of exploring.

Ah, I almost felt, most recently with Skyrim, that the story was tertiary to creating your own story with what you had found. There were some running storylines about in games like Elder Scrolls and Fallout that you could lose yourself in, but it always felt like it was my own personal narrative and adventure, not the game's.

Idk, maybe there won't be enough drive solely on exploration. Maybe each habited planet will have a story of its own for you to add to the grandiose journey you undertake. Right now I'm not going to let some maybes keep from getting excited about what the devs are trying to do with this game.

 

[Jawmuncher]

All these good games coming soon and the pick No Man's Sky?

That first post.

But in all seriousness.
I hope this issue sheds some more light on the game for me.
At the moment it just feels like people are excited for the promise of what it is.
Which after a bunch of promises in gaming amounting to nothing or lesser visions than planned. I'm not getting too excited just yet.

Too many smoke and mirror releases, people aren't so willing to take vertical slices at face value any more.

That doesn't mean anyone is hating the game, it's just people are more cautious about the game and aren't so willing to swallow whatever the developer says until they can see and experience it for themselves.

Perfect post to sum up how I feel and more than likely the majority of everyone else currently wary.