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[RaikuHebi]

It's got a beautiful title.

 

[ichtyander]

Is the game not ambitious enough for you already?

Ill be glad if they can at least keep their word on this skybox stuff, which in my mind seems impossible

multiplayer would just be added fluff on top

Sure it is, Space Engine does this already (an insanely large procedural universe full of galaxies), it's just that it's missing all the gameplay stuff.

 

[Fushichou187]

Is the game not ambitious enough for you already?

Ill be glad if they can at least keep their word on this skybox stuff, which in my mind seems impossible

multiplayer would just be added fluff on top

I agree with this. There's something about playing by yourself and discovering a world on your own that's pretty thrilling. Solitary exploration adds a sense of weight to your actions, imo, as there isn't anybody to back you up should you run into trouble; or in games like Proteus where all you do is essentially wander, there is the sense of serenity that going along affords you.

If they can deliver on the Sea-to-Space exploration and throw in procedural generation to boot, I can't wait to dive in.

 

[Saint of Killers]

This line...



We know they don't have an X1 dev kit/haven't been accepted into the ID@ program yet...

So they are either referring to the U or, as is more likely, the PS4...

But you can still release indie games on Xbone, yeah? You only have to worry about Xbone exclusivity/release parity *if* you sign up to ID@... or have I got that worng?

 

[Miles Quaritch]

"No Man’s Sky isn’t a multiplayer game, in as much as you’ll never see another player. "

Bleh, not hyped anymore.

Still seems like great concept, which i'll definitely test, but its not what i was counting for.

Nah, the idea if that you're entirely alone in this vast universe. I know multiplayer would work well in a game like this (just like it would in State of Decay), but being alone in a game world where you're in constant danger and can't rely on anyone but yourself...

Will be epic.

 

[ironcreed]

It is kind of deflating that it isn't something more akin to an MMO. Thats' where my hype was going.

This seems more like a Dark Souls kinda deal. You'll run into places other places have been and if they've done something"significant" then you'll see that. Otherwise you will never interact human to human.... It's still an ambitious and amazing concept but holy shit if they actually had a bunch of players in a shared galaxy. Imagine you land on a planet and you find another human player, but you guys don't have mic's. Do you try work together or are you too afraid to get backstabbed, so its shoot first ask questions later? Things that make games like GTA Online and Day Z so much fun. Shame the game won't be able to do that.

I do think they should do something akin to "summoning" a player(s) to your game. If you want your friend to be playing with you I think you should be able to do that.

But there are plenty of other games doing that kind of thing already. This is about 'your' personal experience and choices and it will be different for everyone. Thankfully, there are still ways to both share and interact without the usual suspect multiplayer design. This is far more ambitious and personal for each player and I appreciate the hell out of that.

 

[Sarcastico]

Sure it is, Space Engine does this already (an insanely large procedural universe full of galaxies), it's just that it's missing all the gameplay stuff.

That looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

But you can still release indie games on Xbone, yeah? You only have to worry about Xbone exclusivity/release parity *if* you sign up to ID@... or have I got that worng?

Pretty sure that if you want to self publish on X1, you need to sign up to the ID@ program.

Apart from that, I guess you go the normal route of finding a publisher, but that kind of defeats of purpose of having a platform that should allow for free and unrestricted self publishing...

 

[Alienous]

So, are they using Unreal? I seem to remember Joe Danger not using a proprietary engine.

 

[Miles Quaritch]

So, are they using Unreal? I seem to remember Joe Danger not using a proprietary engine.

We might found out tomorrow....

Check back tomorrow for a second article focused on the procedural generation and art design of No Man’s Sky.

 

[Empty]

Yes, You can affect database with other people, but its not coop, its singleplayer with shared database.
They described that in RPS's interview.

I love the concept, but real coop or mmo system are really important to me in such games.

ah. woops. i should read more before posting :/

 

[Tawpgun]

I agree with this. There's something about playing by yourself and discovering a world on your own that's pretty thrilling. Solitary exploration adds a sense of weight to your actions, imo, as there isn't anybody to back you up should you run into trouble; or in games like Proteus where all you do is essentially wander, there is the sense of serenity that going along affords you.

If they can deliver on the Sea-to-Space exploration and throw in procedural generation to boot, I can't wait to dive in.

But there are plenty of other games doing that kind of thing already. This is about 'your' personal experience and choices and it will be different for everyone. Thankfully, there are still ways to both share and interact without the usual suspect multiplayer design. This is far more ambitious and personal for each player and I appreciate the hell out of that.

No, not many games are as rules free as this is claiming to be. Only one I can think of is Day Z. And what makes that game interesting is the punishment of death and interacting with other humans.

I love the single player actions but what really excites me most is interaction with other humans. If this was to be my dream game I would have the galaxy be incredibly vast. But you would have NO idea where other players are other than friends since you could transmit coordinates to each other or something.

Imagine emergent gameplay from groups of players organizing raiding parties. Ambushing someone for their materials, finding someone random in your exploration and teaming up. Maybe the galaxy will become so hostile in some areas that large mega convoys of players will band together for safety. For me, the emergent gameplay coming from human interaction is the most interesting thing in gaming.

Finding other players would be incredibly rare given the size of the map, that when you run into another one its like first contact with an alien species.

 

[KKRT00]

Is the game not ambitious enough for you already?

No? Its not like this is first game with procedurally generated universe.
---

I actually like that. Imagine the situation where you finally DO run into somebody?

But You cant ;\

----

That suits me just fine. I don't want some space MMO with people running around killing each other or death matches. Something like this is way more meaningful and personal feeling to me. It will allow me to affect things with others, while allowing me to have my own experience.

Oh god.

----------------------

People should check out Starbound or Evochron first, before commenting my posts, because its just ridiculous.

MP enables tons of different and additional gameplay mechanics in such game that You are not able to reproduce in SP

 

[ironcreed]

No, not many games are as rules free as this is claiming to be. Only one I can think of is Day Z. And what makes that game interesting is the punishment of death and interacting with other humans.

I love the single player actions but what really excites me most is interaction with other humans. If this was to be my dream game I would have the galaxy be incredibly vast. But you would have NO idea where other players are other than friends since you could transmit coordinates to each other or something.

Imagine emergent gameplay from groups of players organizing raiding parties. Ambushing someone for their materials, finding someone random in your exploration and teaming up. Maybe the galaxy will become so hostile in some areas that large mega convoys of players will band together for safety. For me, the emergent gameplay coming from human interaction is the most interesting thing in gaming.

Finding other players would be incredibly rare given the size of the map, that when you run into another one its like first contact with an alien species.

I see what you are saying, but just speaking for myself, I want this kind of 'rules free' design to stay on a more personal level. I don't want raiding parties and traditional PvP in a game like this. As it kind of defeats what they are aiming for. An experience that will be different for everyone and is filled with choices and consequences. That sense of discovery from finding an uncharted planet and then deciding if you want to share it or not. Going into the unknown, taking risks, losing everything, learning and rebuilding and then pressing on. It sounds like everything I could hope for and I'll be pleased if it achieves only half of this.

 

[Fine Ham Abounds]

Procedural generation is the next frontier for open world games, but the gulf between ambition and delivery in the gameplay department might increase exponentially with the size of the possible worlds being built. I imagine in the coming years, we'll be seeing more and more threads debating Procedural vs Crafted, Expansive but Empty vs Invisible Walls but Filled. I cringe at the still farther off and hopefully minute possibility of debates like, "if 4 people can make something this amazing that sells this well, why should the industry keep employing teams of 400."

I'm filled with both excitement and deep trepidation over projects like this. More power to them, hope they pull off something special here.

People should check out Starbound

This just entered beta right? I'd been itching to try this, but betas have a tendency to wear me out on a game before it even releases.

 

[ironcreed]

Oh god.

"Oh god" back at ya. All I am saying is that the design here is what I want. Sorry if it's not for you.

 

[Fushichou187]

I love the single player actions but what really excites me most is interaction with other humans. If this was to be my dream game I would have the galaxy be incredibly vast. But you would have NO idea where other players are other than friends since you could transmit coordinates to each other or something.

I agree that would be fantastic. But then would the MP be a co-op experience only? I could get behind that. I felt that Journey did a wonderful job at integrating MP in a manner that seemed almost ephemeral, making the interactions-- opaque as they were at times-- pretty amazing. However implementing that kind of experience in an environment that is procedurally generated i.e. different for every player, seems... impossible?

"No Man’s Sky isn’t a multiplayer game, in as much as you’ll never see another player. "

So, why did they not just say "No Man's Sky is a Single Player experience"? Is there still something that other players can do in their game (or... through a second-screen?) that can somehow affect your game?

 

[Bookoo]

"No Man’s Sky isn’t a multiplayer game, in as much as you’ll never see another player. "

Bleh, not hyped anymore.

Still seems like great concept, which i'll definitely test, but its not what i was counting for.

Sort of disappointing to hear, definitely killed my hype for the game.

 

[vvise]

looks awesome, im ready to be disappointed by this game.

 

[KKRT00]

"Oh god" back at ya. All I am saying is that the design here is what I want. Sorry if it's not for you.

You dont have to design game with only 'alone' or 'hundreds players around You'. As i said, it could have fully functional SP for people like You and MP for people like me, like for example Starbound/Evochron.
You on the other hand would want SP only design, why? I just dont get it.

Its not black and white situation.

-------------

So, why did they not just say "No Man's Sky is a Single Player experience"? Is there still something that other players can do in their game (or... through a second-screen?) that can somehow affect your game?

Read this, it will answer Your questions and more.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/12/09/first-look-no-mans-sky

--------

This just entered beta right? I'd been itching to try this, but betas have a tendency to wear me out on a game before it even releases.

Watch some lets plays And its quite early beta, i would say that alpha in many ways, so i would recommend to wait it out few months before deciding to jump in.

 

[ReaperXL7]

Someone should make a new thread for the previews (new news, new thread and all that). The game sounds amazing though, and the single player aspect has me really excited aswell despite the idea that an option for co-op, or multiplayer could add some really special elements to the game.

It seems weird that they wont confirm its platforms despite the heavy probability that its for PS4/PC given the hints in the previews, and Shahid being coy. Its possible they are trying to get onto ID Box before making the announcement, its also possible they are just waiting for a Sony event to get up on stage.

Easily one of my most anticipated games for the forseeable future.

 

[ironcreed]

looks awesome, im ready to be disappointed by this game.

LOL, that will be inevitable for many. It honestly sounds so good that I just want them to touch on most of this stuff. But if they actually achieve most of it? Then holy shit.

 

[Oreoleo]

Single player suits me just fine. Exploration is better alone.

 

[AtomicShroom]

Looks great but...

- What are the gameplay elements?
- What can you actually do besides walk/swim/fly around and shoot stuff?
- What is the goal?
- Are there enemies?
- How does the gameplay evolve?
- How does difficulty evolve?
- How will they ensure that the game remains focused, balanced, and fun throughout?

Until I have answers to these questions, this game will remain nothing but a glorified tech demo to my eyes.

 

[KOHIPEET]

"No Man’s Sky isn’t a multiplayer game, in as much as you’ll never see another player. "

Bleh, not hyped anymore.

Still seems like great concept, which i'll definitely test, but its not what i was counting for.

Okay, if someone from Sony is following this thread, now it is the perfect time to back up this game with a ton of money and ask

Spoiler

force

them to make it an MMO. It could be one of the best if not the best. If they're not willing, then hire/create/contract a studio which realizes this dream because this thread itself undoubtedly proves such a game would sell ridiculously well.

 

[Chobel]

You dont have to design game with only 'alone' or 'hundreds players around You'. As i said, it could have fully functional SP for people like You and MP for people like me, like for example Starbound/Evochron.
You on the other hand would want SP only design, why? I just dont get it.

You seem like you really want MP in the game, do you have a way to make the devs consider putting MP in No Man's Sky? It seems too late now.

 

[Bookoo]

So, why did they not just say "No Man's Sky is a Single Player experience"? Is there still something that other players can do in their game (or... through a second-screen?) that can somehow affect your game?

It is a little confusing, but there are apparently things you can do that affect other peoples universe.

An example from the RPS article says "Any planet you discover on your journey is marked on your galactic map, along with its name, its atmosphere and what resources you found there. If you choose to, you can then share that information with every other player, uploading it so that it’s shared across everyone’s galactic map."

However I don't understand how exactly this works on a procedural generated maps.

Even though they hate the comparison I was sort of hoping for a "Minecraft in Space". I don't see the appeal of just exploring the universe alone, but we shall see.

 

[Mesoian]

Okay, if someone from Sony is following this thread, now it is the perfect time to back up this game with a ton of money and ask

Spoiler

force

them to make it an MMO. It could be one of the best if not the best. If they're not willing, then hire/create/contract a studio which realizes this dream because this thread itself undoubtedly proves such a game would sell ridiculously well.

Because MMO's are still doing gangbusters.

Let them make the game they want to make, jesus christ.

 

[Ensirius]

This game has endless potential written all over it

 

[KOHIPEET]

Because MMO's are still doing gangbusters.

Let them make the game they want to make, jesus christ.

But that just seems like such a wasted opportunity. Sure, let them make what they want, I won't be the one who stops them, but with the exclusion of the possibility to meet other people, my hype for this game just collapsed under its weight.

There's still some hope though.

 

[tokyo slim]

Looks great but...

- What are the gameplay elements?
- What can you actually do besides walk/swim/fly around and shoot stuff?
- What is the goal?
- Are there enemies?
- How does the gameplay evolve?
- How does difficulty evolve?
- How will they ensure that the game remains focused, balanced, and fun throughout?

Until I have answers to these questions, this game will remain nothing but a glorified tech demo to my eyes.

Seems like you have some reading to do. Many of these questions have some answers now. And some of those answers have spawned new questions.

However I don't understand how exactly this works on a procedural generated maps.

It's only generated once. Once it's "discovered" it is what it is.

 

[Mesoian]

But that just seems like such a wasted opportunity. Sure, let them make what they want, I won't be the one who stops them, but with the exclusion of the possibility to meet other people, my hype for this game just collapsed under its weight.

There's still some hope though.

You'll still have star citizen.

This looks like something new. I'd rather have something new.

 

[KOHIPEET]

It is a little confusing, but there are apparently things you can do that affect other peoples universe.

An example from the RPS article says "Any planet you discover on your journey is marked on your galactic map, along with its name, its atmosphere and what resources you found there. If you choose to, you can then share that information with every other player, uploading it so that it’s shared across everyone’s galactic map."

However I don't understand how exactly this works on a procedural generated maps.

Even though they hate the comparison I was sort of hoping for a "Minecraft in Space". I don't see the appeal of just exploring the universe alone, but we shall see.

Technically the entire universe is made/finished before the game releases, it's just that it will be built using procedural algorythms instead of traditional map designing.

 

[ironcreed]

You dont have to design game with only 'alone' or 'hundreds players around You'. As i said, it could have fully functional SP for people like You and MP for people like me, like for example Starbound/Evochron.
You on the other hand would want SP only design, why? I just dont get it.

Its not black and white situation.
]

I feel you on just having the option and I am not opposed to that. But this is only a 4-man team with a clear vision in mind. They just so happen to want to make a single player game, but with interactivity at the same time in a non-traditional way. Based on what we know, I happen to love the entire concept. Further, I am not one who believes that every single game has to have multiplayer. But that's just me.

 

[KOHIPEET]

You'll still have star citizen.

This looks like something new. I'd rather have something new.

I don't think Star Citizen is a good example. I'd rather go with Destiny then.

Spoiler

I'm kinda in the blind here, but how big is exploration's role in Star C.?

 

[Lautaro]

But that just seems like such a wasted opportunity. Sure, let them make what they want, I won't be the one who stops them, but with the exclusion of the possibility to meet other people, my hype for this game just collapsed under its weight.

There's still some hope though.

People exist just to ruin my gaming experience so if I can avoid finding other guys I'm fine.

 

[Fushichou187]

Read this, it will answer Your questions and more.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/12/09/first-look-no-mans-sky

Thank you! OP should add this to the first post, or ought to be included in an OT.

So.. a galaxy that is semi-instanced then? But with individual actions having galaxy-wide ramifications for other players if they meet a threshold for level of significance i.e. extinction of a species, etc...

Anyways, much hype. I, too, can't wait to be disappointed.

 

[Ghost23]

I'd say this is we are over hyping this game a bit. The game looks fantastic, but I'm not going to set my expectations to what the reveal trailer showed us. I won't let GAF take me down!

 

[Miles Quaritch]

Anyone know what happened to the D'toid preview?

They were quick to hype it yesterday, but it's nowhere to be seen on their site...

 

[Bookoo]

Technically the entire universe is made/finished before the game releases, it's just that it will be built using procedural algorythms instead of traditional map designing.

Hmm ok. Leading with that in the trailer is what led me to believe it was going to have world creation like Minecraft.

 

[Tawpgun]

The MMO idea is probably too ambitious.

But I think it should take a page out of Dark Souls and allow you to come into your friends world. Perhaps even let you "invade" another player given the right circumstance.

 

[avcables]

So PC version confirmed pretty much!

I hope it has Steam Workshop support, that would have incredible potential.

So basically what you're saying is this is exclusive?

 

[Kansoku]

I've read the RPS interview, but I'm not sure I get it.

The game is multiplayer, however you play alone, and what people do in their games, affects yours?

 

[tokyo slim]

Technically the entire universe is made/finished before the game releases, it's just that it will be built using procedural algorythms instead of traditional map designing.

I'm not sure that this is the case. It sounds like more that the universe is blank, and as each player explores, it creates more and more of a finalized universe.

Like when you see an unexplored planet and step foot on it for the first time, it's randomly generated during that process, but then it's fixed for you and everyone else every time after that.

Exploration and resource gathering are the ways, really the only ways, in which the game is similar to Minecraft. The planets you land on aren’t cube-shaped and it’s unlikely you’ll build a house on them. They are the equivalent of Minecraft’s network of underground caves: exciting to find, unique to you, and full of materials which give them significance and value despite not being handcrafted.

Any planet you discover on your journey is marked on your galactic map, along with its name, its atmosphere and what resources you found there. If you choose to, you can then share that information with every other player, uploading it so that it’s shared across everyone’s galactic map.

 

[Five]

Hmm ok. Leading with that in the trailer is what led me to believe it was going to have world creation like Minecraft.

It's going to be the best of both worlds. The world will be so large, and you'll start on a random planet each time, so at least the beginning will be perfectly random each time you start a new game. But the notable worlds that people discover and other important pillars will be constant.

I'm not sure that this is the case. It sounds like more that the universe is blank, and as each player explores, it creates more and more of a finalized universe.

Like when you see an unexplored planet and step foot on it for the first time, it's randomly generated during that process, but then it's fixed for you and everyone else every time after that.

The way procedural systems work are deterministic since it's on a computer. The seed for the random generation is the same universally, so a planet you visit is generated procedurally when you first visit it, but it would have generated in exactly the same way for everyone who visited it first. And, because storing such a massive thing in memory would take several terabytes, it gets regenerated each time save for a few key things (like a species having gone extinct).

 

[RamzaIsCool]

I am ok with the concept, aslong as there is co-op. Wanna go thru this game with ma mates!

 

[Bookoo]

I am ok with the concept, aslong as there is co-op. Wanna go thru this game with ma mates!

Well according to the few articles that have been written, there isn't. This is probably going to be a hype killer for a lot of people.

 

[ironcreed]

This is what really excites me. The potential for some literal 'alien' experiences sounds amazing.

Every player in No Man’s Sky will begin their life somewhere along the edge of a galaxy. Everything in the trailer takes place in a single solar system near the galaxy’s edge and, red grass aside, on Earth-like planets. “It helps to ground people and I think if we hadn’t shown that, people would go, ‘what the fuck?’” Sean Murray, lead developer on No Man’s Sky, is choosing his words carefully. “It’s quite weird to see a thing that isn’t a fish, in the water. And so we have grounded the trailer in a particular solar system that kind of makes sense for people.”

Which suggests it’s not going to make sense later. The loose objective for players of No Man’s Sky is to head away from the edge and towards the galaxy’s centre. As you do, the planets you visit along the way become more mutated, more dangerous.

 

[KOHIPEET]

I'm not sure that this is the case. It sounds like more that the universe is blank, and as each player explores, it creates more and more of a finalized universe.

Like when you see an unexplored planet and step foot on it for the first time, it's randomly generated during that process, but then it's fixed for you and everyone else every time after that.

Well, that actually makes more sense.

 

[tokyo slim]

The way procedural systems work are deterministic since it's on a computer. The seed for the random generation is the same universally, so a planet you visit is generated procedurally when you first visit it, but it would have generated in exactly the same way for everyone who visited it first. And, because storing such a massive thing in memory would take several terabytes, it gets regenerated each time save for a few key things (like a species having gone extinct).

Right, but is the seed predetermined, or does it generate the first time someone explores the planet?

If it's predetermined then there are finite planets, and over the course of time - there will cease to be anything left to explore (save DLC packs of new areas I guess).