‘No Man’s Sky: BEYOND’ Update Launches with PSVR and PC VR Support

By
Ben Lang
-
124

No Man’s Sky, the galactic sandbox game which launched back in 2016 is getting a major update today which includes full VR support. The ‘BEYOND’ update is now available on PS4 with PSVR support and on Steam with support for Vive, Index, Rift and other SteamVR headsets. Developer Hello Games says that the game’s entire feature set is compatible with VR, and that VR players will be able to play together with non-VR players.

Update (August 14th, 2019): The big day is here for No Man’s Sky: Beyond. The major update to the title is now available on PS4 with PSVR support and on PC via Steam with support for Vive, Index, Rift and other SteamVR headsets. A launch trailer for the update revealed last week teased the game’s expanded features which include larger social spaces where players can hang out together.

Update (August 2nd, 2019): Hello Games today announced in a blog post that the hotly awaited No Man’s Sky Beyond update is coming August 14th, which is set to include full VR support. Check out our hands-on with No Man’s Sky VR to learn more about what makes the new VR-compatible version tick.

Original Article (March 25th, 2019): After no shortage of requests, No Man’s Sky is coming to VR. The feature will come as a free update as part of the game’s upcoming ‘Beyond’ update, which also includes the No Man’s Sky Online feature, which the company says is a “radical new social and multiplayer experience which empowers players everywhere in the universe to meet and play together.”

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Image courtesy Hello Games
Image courtesy Hello Games
Image courtesy Hello Games
Image courtesy Hello Games
Image courtesy Hello Games

Developer Hello Games says No Man’s Sky VR will support the PSVR, Rift, and Vive headsets, and VR players will be able to play alongside non-VR players (on the same platform).

SEE ALSO
Hands-on: 'No Man's Sky' in VR Promises a Galaxy Full of Possibilities, with Friends

The game was of course not initially designed with VR support in mind, but the studio says that it’s working hard to make the feature feel native:

I guess it’s not a huge surprise, but all of the team here is in love with everything sci-fi. Virtual reality feels like a little science fiction become real, and has always seemed like a perfect fit for this futuristic game of ours.

It’s completely unique to land on a world that no-one has ever seen before and to really feel as if you’re there, and the team has worked so hard to make this a true VR experience rather than a port.

No Man’s Sky Virtual Reality is not a separate mode, but the entire game brought to life in virtual reality. Anything that is possible in No Man’s Sky, NEXT or any other update is ready and waiting as an immersive and enriched VR experience.

No Man’s Sky: Beyond, which will include the Online and VR features, is due out this summer.

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Ben Lang
Ben is the world's most senior professional analyst solely dedicated to the XR industry, having founded Road to VR in 2011—a year before the Oculus Kickstarter sparked a resurgence that led to the modern XR landscape. He has authored more than 3,000 articles chronicling the evolution of the XR industry over more than a decade. With that unique perspective, Ben has been consistently recognized as one of the most influential voices in XR, giving keynotes and joining panel and podcast discussions at key industry events. He is a self-described "journalist and analyst, not evangelist."
  • HoriZon

    F**k yeah!

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    • JesuSaveSouls

      Jesus is mankind’s sole hope !

      • get lost

        jesus the gay is an imaginary friend and you a delusional idiot

        • JesuSaveSouls

          The guy is my Lord and Savior and God’s Son.Its impossible to please God without faith.Its not bout proof but there is proof in the pudding.Its for the humble not proud.God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.If your opposed to the truth,the bible nd God your then of course going to miss it.

      • SataNeedSoulsToo

        Mankind has no hope as long as the masses believe everything was created for them to destroy. Serve the Dark Lord instead and Reap the Rewards !

  • Raphael

    Let’s hope they don’t plan to ignore PC VR users as that would trigger a new wave of hostility.

    • DanDei

      It already says Rift and Vive support.

      • Raphael

        Win Win! Sean Murray finally wised-up about VR.

  • Tyler Soward

    yeah this is huge. Can’t wait to jump back in

  • impurekind

    OK, it supports Rift, but is it actually coming to the Oculus Store properly? I don’t like playing Oculus Rift games via Steam VR. Although I’ll definitely take it if that’s the only way to do so in this case.

    • Ray Suave

      Why dont you like Rift games via Steam VR? I cant really tell the difference, plus, most times, the Steam games can be bought at lower cost.

      • Pablo C

        Also, you are sure they’ll work with your next VR device.

      • impurekind

        Because Steam is a convoluted and clunky mess, and in my experience most of the time I find the games don’t actually run as well ,and often the controls aren’t properly matched to the Touch controllers too. So, ideally, I’d rather just have a proper Oculus Store version that works 100% with the Rift as intended.

        • PJ

          I thought like that, but now I just use Oculus Home for exclusives, why restrict yourself to one headset?

          • impurekind

            Well, I only have one headset, but I just don’t like using SteamVR as an experience. I want to have the best VR experience possible and I don’t think SteamVR on Rift gives me that.

          • PJ

            Use open composite then, goodbye SteamVR!

          • impurekind

            I don’t like using any third party apps that run alongside the official software, especially stuff that is presumably made by a bunch of homebrew guys and probably isn’t very polished or intuitive. My whole point is that I want it all to be simple, clean, and smooth, without any hassle and fuss and negative impact on my VR experience.

  • MosBen

    I wish that there was more of a story for NMS, but after bouncing off Elite several times due to the game being to sim-y for my tastes, NMS is just about perfect for me. I may dust this off to play with a friend.

    • Chuck Griggs

      ED is definitely a Sim first and game second.

      • MosBen

        Yeah, figuring out the takeoff and landing procedures was onerous enough that at least one of the times that I’ve tried to get into it I quit during that tutorial.

        • antonio mora

          Really? the game has a steep learning curve, true but playing it in VR makes it all worthwhile.

          I assume you haven’t tried DCS. (the most beautiful game in VR)

          • MosBen

            I just downloaded DCS the other day because I read some serious praise. I haven’t played it yet, but don’t have super high hopes. I really am not super interested in sims, and the more realistic the less interested. I just like the ability to play through a nice story, maybe with a couple friends, but not an MMO.

          • antonio mora

            Fair enough. Then I would advice to delete those 60g because DCS makes Elite feel like a kid’s toy.
            I’m so glad I didn’t give up on it.

  • dogtato

    so glad to hear that they’re treating it as more than a port. ported controls have always been bad and in vr they’re even worse

  • Pablo C

    Oh yes, I knew these guys could do it..!… I think I’m having an O….

  • iThinkMyCatIsAFlea
    • HybridEnergy

      It’s pretty much one of the best videos in existence.

      • Least

        I love the game, so I’m not knocking it – and damn I’m looking forward to playing in on the PSVR – but I nearly shat the first time I saw that vid. I showed it to my family while we were waiting in queue for a ferry at Dover – might have been the holiday atmosphere, but my wife and kids and me laughed for about half an hour. Was fantastic.

    • Daemonic

      ahahahhaaa! That was great lolz

    • Why is everyone excited to play something like this in VR?

      They couldn’t get this game right in conventional applications, so VR is sure to be a train-wreck as well.

      • It is not and everyone in the VR world is fascinated with the game now. Read reviews or better buy a headset and try it yourself before you speak. You will definitely be surprised.

  • Arcticu Kitsu

    This game, no joke, always felt like it was meant to have VR, and now it’s done! Awesome. I guess it’s also because they had a side company experimenting in the background allowing for gestures, photography mode, among other fun features. I’m glad this big hitter of a game (now it is) finally has VR mode to further redeem itself from the past actions.

    I’m happy hearing it’ll have VR making me want to play it again.

  • 12 fps on normal ps4…

  • Huuxloc

    I will be getting this. Woo!

  • HomeAudio

    My dreams came true!!! AMAZING NEWS! GAME CHANGER!

  • 3872Orcs

    Where exactly does the devs say this is for VR on PC? I want to hear it from them directly or I’ll not believe it.

  • antonio mora

    FPS and flying ships in VR all in atmospheric planets is a dream come true and it is what ED is missing.

    That until SC gets the VR support but it doesn’t seems to be happening any time soon. Well done NMS devs. (y)

    • zeef

      I don’t think StartCraft would gain much from VR, but…I’d be willing to try it.

      But I do agree, that ErectileDysfunction is definitely missing VR.

      This all reminds me of when I graduated HS in 1999….

      • victor

        I think he was referring to star citizen

        • Hivemind9000

          I think he was referring to SarCasm

      • Raphael

        “I don’t think StartCraft would gain much from VR” – absolutely bizarre statement. Assuming you’re referring to Star Citizen… please explain why an all-encompassing space sim with cinematic realism wouldn’t benefit from allowing players to “be there” in life-size 3d….

  • HybridEnergy

    Of all games…ugh…Oh well , I’m glad to see some people excited and also content being talked about. Really being burned out by all the new headset, gear, and HMD news while being left in a dry desert first 1/3 of the 2019 in terms of content games.

    • zeef

      VR game desert in 2019? Don’t you mean since 2016?

      • HybridEnergy

        No, not really. If I felt that way I wouldn’t be into VR or here in general. We’ve had some good months in the past and I have a decent library of VR games. 2019 has sucked so far though.

        • zeef

          When did you adopt? I’m totally with you in that I’ve had a blast with what’s out there.

          However, if you bought into this because of the available games….I think you are a minority of one. I think most VR adopters bought into the idea, and had faith the content would follow.

          I’m not saying the content isn’t there.

          But, when I try to proselytize someone into VR, I don’t open my steam library and say “Just look at all these great GAMEZZZZZZ!” lol

          I usually make them play a specific game and say “can you see now the potential for this? How cool this CAN be?”

          • HybridEnergy

            I’ve never said that we have a gold mine of games, but you also made it seem like we have had zero when I’ve fully enjoyed a bunch of titles. I do think content though is one probably, kind of annoying being flooded still with more new headsets news when we need more games.

  • bud01

    Its all about when star citizen integrates VR.. example, sitting in deep space with realistic nebular and getting up out of your captains chair to walk down the length of the insides of a constellation Andromeda which has 4 or 5 team mates working on an important mission!

    • That’sright

      Today’s computer can hardly run star citizen on a desktop

      • Hivemind9000

        Yeah, but by the time Star Citizen actually releases in 2030, the tech will be so old you’ll be able to run it on the iPhone 20.

        • That’sright

          Lol

        • That’sright

          The type of gameplay that star citizen promise will never really finish, they basically building a digital universe with no loading screen, they got some serious goals to meet.

          • Raphael

            Yes and those goals are being met. Groundbreaking in many ways and already leaving the likes of ED behind. SC is now at the point where ED can never hope to catch up. Logical really when you consider ED has a small development team split over many games. Star Citizen has many teams across the globe all focused on that one game.

            SC isn’t a conventional game that goes gold and then gets occassional updates before the devs work on a sequel. It’s a very long term project that even in Alpha is now playable. There is a rapid accelleration in content now much of the core mechanics are in place.

      • Idiocracy Now

        https://robertsspaceindustries.com/telemetry

        The fps people are getting in star citizen with their cpu/gpu setups.

    • DanDei

      First we need to find out if Star Citizen is actually any fun. If this feature creep goes on they will simulate the growth of my avatars fingernails in space by the end. But will all those many, many game mechanics really come together and click and be fun?

      • Raphael

        Who is the “we”? You can watch many gamers having fun in SC and you have the option to try it yourself during the free periods. Or you can buy it.

        SC is already more engaging than ED.

  • VR4EVER

    Thats an outstanding accomplishment from Hello! They really polished their turd to a shining diamond. Amazing!

  • victor

    If they improve on more realistic flight model I’m will definitely buy for VR (and give ED a rest until they come out with atmospheric landings0

  • John Horn

    OMG This is awesome….. I refunded it in 2016… but I rebought it last year, and was pleasantly surprised. They’ve truly redeemed themselves.

  • Andrew McEvoy

    *Standing applause*

  • PJ

    I can’t wait! I just hope it’s not a lazy half done approach with the controls, I hate games that just slap VR on to it, fallout4, Skyrim, The Forest and Subnautica fall into that category for me, in VR we have hands please let us use them properly.

    • Get Schwifty!

      That’s key here – if they do it _right_ it will be a big win for everyone, but I bet its half-assed point and click nonsense…

      • Raphael

        Gambling person are you? How much have you won over the years on your bets?

    • zeef

      Agree…it’s not that exciting anymore to hear about ports to VR, although it is very cool, because it’s been wrecked (Doom VFR?) so many times. When they say “We are porting this game to VR, AND have eliminated teleport…”, okay, honey, get me the checkbook…

    • realtrisk

      I like games like Subnautica and Skyrim where I can relax with a controller in hand and just sit and play, enjoying the visuals, rather than having to stand for hours on end just to use touch controls… so I heartily disagree with you.

    • Master E

      Though I agree use of hands and more is more immersive, some of us move around all day and I’d much rather use a controller, sit on my couch, and play VR at the end of my day. Subnautica and Skyrim VR were a couple of my favorite VR experiences even though not optimized or made for VR. So I’ll take any VR over full on immersion in every aspect any day of the week.

      PS. NMS VR is in need of an optimization patch or two, but loving it so far.

  • Engineer_92

    I love Elite: Dangerous and its a stunning game to play in VR, but NMS has everything its missing. The ability to land and experience full atmospheric worlds is what a VR space game needs. Looking forward to jumping in!

  • realtrisk

    Awesome! I didn’t buy into the ridiculous hype generated by the “No Man Boys” when it came out, and had a genuinely fun time with it myself. I’ve been feeling like going back to it again… this might give me a reason to do it!

  • Nathan Benkhe

    I actually liked the game at launch and put about 60 hours into it. Eventually got bored. Wanted to return after the last update to see all the new stuff but the controls turned me off. No doubt the controls will get an overhaul to work in VR and my single issue with the game will be eliminated. I’m imagining jumping to new galaxies using my warp speed throttle like on Bridge Crew. F>#k yeah! Gonna be a blast!

  • Wait a sec, I gotta change my underwear. Let me blow the titanic amount of dust off my copy of No Man’s Sky, as this might be my new BFF!

  • Rudl Za Vedno

    You can buy NMS on greenmangaming for €23 and you get Star trek: Bridge crew + 5 other games for free (some kind of Intel sponsored summer sale). I suggest buying it now, it won’t be so cheap when DLC comes out.

  • Jarilo

    I don’t have fond memories of the flat screen one, it’s hard to get excited. It was boring and a grind fest. Though I know, people keep telling me all about the changes and stuff it has went through.

    • antonio mora

      Elite Dangerous is boring and a grind fest in flat screen but in VR is an amazing game.

      • Jarilo

        If you say so, I haven’t played Elite.

      • david vincent

        …but still a boring grind fest. Thanks to VR, you will just play a bit longer before being bored to death. Same for Skyrim VR…

        • antonio mora

          In that case you sholud ask for a refund…

          Of you VR headset.

        • aasd

          ehh thats wrong, you just dont know how to play. You bring in OVRdrop and watch netflix inside your ship while hopping stars. can do that forever and its an awesome setting for movies. reminds me of those lofi chillwave youtube playlists with the graphics of a girl just chilling in her spaceship.

          • david vincent

            I just need more exploration (more planetary exploration to be more exact). I know it’s on the roadmap but it has been a long time now…
            As other people said, NMS with ED’s flight model would be the s..t.

        • the vast majority

          Really? Skyrim was great IMO.

          • david vincent

            IMO writing is poor and AI is dumb. But it’s more or less the same with all Bethesda’s RPGs…

      • MosBen

        I’ve tried to get into Elite Dangerous two or three times, and I never make it passed the tutorials. It’s just way more complicated than I want.

    • Engineer_92

      Id look into it again. The game has definitely changed for the better and this update is only going to improve the game.

      • Jarilo

        Will be keeping an eye on it and what the VR community says.

        • Jeremiah Tothenations

          The game was a turd on launch, sure, but not anymore.

          • Jarilo

            Awesome, lets hope the VR implementation is good then.

  • ender707

    I do not know what incentive you have to revive old posts like this, rather than create a new post and just link to the older ones if you want. But I find coming to articles to see a short update and 4 month old discussions frustrating. Just some feedback, otherwise I like the site.

    • david vincent

      No need of a new article if it’s just for giving a date…

  • Daemonic

    No wayyyy! omg I’m gonna be stuck in VR 4evaaaaa. Soooo exciting ^_^ hope it brushes up well :D

  • Net Shaman

    Finally !!! Can’t wait !!!

  • This is so cool! I hope this will drive VR adoption even further…

  • david vincent

    My body is ready. I just hope there will be no heat-waves this day in my country…

  • Hmmm… if this is real gameplay footage, I noticed something when the player got into the cockpit. It kinda looked like the hands get sucked into the joystick. I wonder if you actually hold the joystick and throttle, like virtual objects in your hands? On the PSVR there’s no analog sticks, so that would make alot of sense.

    I wonder if there’s options to use the analog sticks on the Rift? Can you switch between analog sticks and virtually gripping the controls?

  • Brian Brown

    PSVR with the Pro seems to be having framerate and crashing issues. Also looks like Vaseline has been smeared across the screen, super blurry. Lot’s of videos on YouTube. I really hope it’s not like that on PC, and there will be a quick patch for PSVR users.

  • JesuSaveSouls

    Looking forward to playing this on the quest via vr desktop.

    • aasd

      hey we can agree on something!!

      • JesuSaveSouls

        Its a very profound game.

    • asdfasdfasdf

      in all funniness and nothing serious, it would be funny if u said you were spreading the word of god across the virtual galaxies. But with all the flak you’ve gotten, we appreciate that you held back from such a good opportunity

      thanks homie!

      • JesuSaveSouls

        Ironically you saying that because I do try to name the planets I discover with references of the bible and specifically my Christian standard.

        • SataNeedSoulsToo

          It’s not ironic it’s obvious.. We know how much your on dem nutz boiii !!! Serve the Dark Lord and Reap the Rewards !

  • MosBen

    I have to give these guys credit for continuing to support and expand this game for years after release. And I’m intrigued enough that I’ll probably give this a try in VR. But man, I really don’t get behind survival games where I have to constantly gather resources and then mix recipes to make things in order to go to a new area to do the same thing all over again.

    • kool

      Dude save your money then,This is exactly that. Its complicated as well I had to watch a whole series videos to wrap my head around the point of the game. But I’m hooked it’s just fun to run around and figure out stuff for me at least.

      • MosBen

        Yeah, I know. I picked it up during a Steam sale a while back, so it’s no additional cost for me to try it out. And really, I haven’t tried it since they added multiplayer, so maybe being able to play with a buddy of mine that liked the game better than I did will help.

    • Virtual Funkality

      You can play in creative mode. I might end up doing that because I am not very good and the vive controllers and the layout is killing me too much.

  • Michael Slesinski

    go figure its buggy as hell and doesnt work at all with WMR..

  • JesuSaveSouls

    Jesusavesouls !

  • JesuSaveSouls

    This is a inspirational game and it doesn’t have anything obscene,immoral or compromising.Some people play dark and violent games and some people suicidal.This is a good decent type of game.Jesus is my Lord and Savior !

    • Pablo C

      Not true: It´s much better on weed.

      • The Rain in Spain’s Therapist

        JesusLovesWeed!

  • Pablo C

    My face hurts for playing for more than 3 hours, but man, this is a masterpiece. So I´ll keep going….

    • HomeAudio

      Yesterday I played NMS VR 14h ;)
      Today next session….

  • JesuSaveSouls

    Update today for many fixes.I could use a rift s since my sensors are bugging with this game.

  • Kyokushin

    Excellent patch, in VR – it could be a system seller. You can dive into that game and spend whole weeks.

    • Master E

      Though I really like what I see so far, mine keeps crashing… VR and non VR. I expected this to be tough for them though and will be patient

  • bud01

    Developers should always know that if they work with a passion and deliver then public will support.
    Purchased (steam) Confirmation code
    1482167850619094066

    Good stuff guys, keep going!!
    RIFT CV1

  • ☣Dethrox☣

    is it also Rift S ?? or only Rift.. :/

  • JesuSaveSouls

    I couldn’t complete the taming mission because polo finally opened up a blackhole on my map.To go in that in vr is not that simple.It looks freaky in vr but really cool too.Jesusavesouls !

  • MosBen

    Polygon’s review of the VR mode reported some serious performance issues. Hopefully you guys can give it a try soon!

  • antonio mora

    I just can’t stop playing.

    • aasd

      I KNOW RIGHT!

  • InDang3r

    Does No Mans Sky work with Oculus Quest headset ?