In a month dominated by the launch of Starfield, Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky has held its ground, experiencing one of its most active months in recent years. Sean Murray, the founder of Hello Games, revealed that this month was one of the game’s best since September 2021, particularly on the Steam platform.
The upswing in activity comes hot on the heels of the game’s largest yearly update in late August and a new Expedition that began this month. “It’s quite the achievement for a game of this age,” says Murray. These are seen as major contributing factors to the game’s renewed popularity.
Despite Starfield’s much-anticipated release, No Man’s Sky’s high level of engagement shows that there’s more than enough room in the universe for multiple space exploration games. While there has been speculation that players disenchanted with Starfield are turning to No Man’s Sky, these claims remain largely anecdotal.
One of the most notable aspects of No Man’s Sky’s lasting appeal is its focus on space exploration, an element many believe it does better than its new competitor, Starfield. The game has benefitted greatly from seven years of post-launch updates and support, adding features that have enhanced the gameplay significantly, from flexible base-building options to new vehicles and fleets.
In an industry often obsessed with the ‘new,’ No Man’s Sky proves that a well-supported game can continue to attract both new and returning players, even when facing stiff competition. Its success serves as a reminder that the realm of cosmic adventures is large enough for more than one blockbuster title.