No Man’s Sky Unveils Innovative Experimental Branch Update

No Man’s Sky is venturing into new territory with its latest experimental branch on Steam, aiming to tweak some pesky multiplayer and performance hiccups. Though the updates may be small, they hold promise for enhancing the player experience as we move into 2024.

Back when No Man’s Sky first launched in 2016, reactions were mixed. However, Hello Games has diligently rolled out a series of improvements and fresh content over the years, transforming the game into one of gaming’s great comeback stories. Just this year, players have been treated to free updates like Worlds Part 1, which has revamped planetary environments adding features like volumetric clouds and richer water effects, along with new planet types teeming with unexplored fauna.

As 2024 draws to a close, the developer is not slowing down. On November 28, they ushered in another experimental build exclusively for Steam users. This build addresses issues like multiplayer connection challenges on PS4 and unexpected crashes when using the PS4 version on PS5. They’ve also tackled troubles with merging ship inventories and ironed out performance issues on Mac. Additionally, they’ve optimized wind calculations in hopes of crafting a more immersive world in No Man’s Sky.

How to Play the New Experimental Branch in No Man’s Sky

To dive into this new experimental content, head to your Steam Library, right-click on No Man’s Sky, and choose Properties. In the Betas tab, enter the code "3xperimental," check the code, and select the experimental option.

As part of their communication, Hello Games emphasizes the importance of backing up save files before jumping into the experimental waters. They advise making a local copy of the "st_[userid]" folder located in %appdata%\HelloGames\NMS\ on PC and ~/Library/Application Support/HelloGames/NMS/ on Mac. Additionally, it’s wise to avoid carrying over experimental saves to the main build to prevent data issues. These fixes are expected to roll out to other platforms as soon as they’re ready.

The passion Hello Games shows for No Man’s Sky is evident, and it’s reflected in the numbers: thousands continue to explore its universe on Steam alone. Reinforcing its improved standing, the game has recently been bestowed with a "Very Positive" overall rating on Steam.

Beyond this experimental branch, fans have more reason to be excited. Hello Games has announced a rerun of five expeditions over the holiday season, each spanning two weeks, with the Omega expedition already underway.

No Man’s Sky Experimental Branch November 28 – Patch Notes

The update introduces fixes including:

• Resolving a rare ship inventory merging issue.
• Optimizing wind calculations for better realism.
• Addressing PS4 multiplayer connection failures.
• Fixing crashes on PS5 when running the PS4 version.
• Improving Mac performance by preventing loss of focus.

Dive deep into a boundless sci-fi saga with No Man’s Sky, a game that lets you chart your own course through a universe brimming with mystery and danger. From assembling interstellar fleets to crafting sprawling bases, the game’s vast, procedurally generated world encourages endless exploration and discovery. Released in August 2016, this ever-evolving title keeps players engaged with its prospecting, trading, and combat challenges, making each journey as unique as the explorers embarking on it.