How much of No Man’s Sky is discovered?
Introduction
No Man’s Sky, the vast sci-fi exploration game developed by Hello Games, has taken the gaming community by storm since its release in 2016. The game’s sheer size, boasting over 18 quintillion planets, raises an interesting question: How much of No Man’s Sky is discovered?
Less than 1%
According to statistics, less than 1% of the game’s galaxies, including planets, moons, and other celestial bodies, have been discovered and explored by players. Yes, you read that correctly – less than 1%! The enormity of No Man’s Sky’s scale means that there is still a massive amount of content to discover, and for some, the thrill of the unknown is what makes the game so appealing.
Progress and Discovery Rate
One of the game’s notable features is the constant introduction of new discoveries. New planets, aliens, flora, and fauna are continually being added, extending the game’s lifetime and enticing players to return and explore further. Despite the overwhelming amount of content available, the game’s progression rate is surprisingly brisk. On average, it takes about 30 minutes to travel between galaxies, providing players with a wealth of exploration opportunities.
Speedrunning and the 140-hour Completionist Approach
In an effort to combat the vastness of No Man’s Sky’s content, some players employ strategies such as speedrunning and playing through the game as completionists. For instance, a completionist player could aim to fully explore, mine, and document all planets in their save. This approach is daunting, as it typically requires 140 hours or more to achieve. Players have documented their experiences through social media and YouTube tutorials, further emphasizing the challenge of the game.
Atlassing and Mapping
An innovative approach to navigating and charting No Man’s Sky’s vast world is "atlassing". Atlasers create interactive maps to help guide explorers to new discoveries and rare planets. These custom-built maps have become vital resources for players seeking rare loot or unique experiences.
Current State of Discovered Content
The statistics of discovery are staggering: As of 2020, around 2 billion points of interest (Planets, Moons, Rings, etc.) out of over 18 quintillion points of interest are reported in the No Man’s Sky Atlas. Put another way, this amounts to a mere 1 in 9,000 points of interest being catalogued by the community. As exploration continues, so do these numbers, illuminating just how much No Man’s Sky remains untouched.
Conclusion
Despite its scale, No Man’s Sky is an addictive experience for many players, enticing them to explore its unfathomable expanse. Although less than 1% of the game has been discovered, its progression and discovery rate contribute to a high replay value and satisfaction from exploring new areas and discoveries. The creative solutions, such as mapping and atlas creation, utilized by players to navigate and understand No Man’s Sky only amplify the game’s intrigue and appeal.
Ultimately, as with any game or story, discovery is an inherently satisfying and thrilling experience – And No Man’s Sky’s vast universe will undoubtedly keep players discovering, for the foreseeable future, less than 1%!