Ten years after its initial launch on August 9, 2016, developer Hello Games has shared new statistics revealing that No Man's Sky fans have explored less than 1% of its planets. Marking the game's milestone anniversary, managing director Sean Murray published an open letter detailing the scale of the universe and the journey of the game's development.
Quick Facts
- Launch Date: August 9, 2016
- Total Major Updates: 40 free updates released over the decade
- Current Exploration Stat: Players have explored less than 1% of total planets
- Platforms: Supported across multiple platforms including Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox, PlayStation, and VR
- Upcoming Content: A new update titled "COSMOS" is currently in development
Despite tens of millions of players spending hundreds of millions of hours exploring the universe across 40 major free updates—ranging from base-building and exocrafts to expeditions and rebuilt universes—the sheer vastness of the procedurally generated galaxy means the vast majority of worlds remain untouched.
Murray noted that the studio has seen its highest player numbers since launch this year, bolstered by high engagement following last year's Voyagers update and award wins for best evolving game at TGA and BAFTA. Alongside continuing support for No Man's Sky on modern platforms including the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, the small team at Hello Games is also actively developing its next title, Light No Fire.