Hello Games’ No Man’s Sky is an absolutely massive game set in a huge procedurally generated universe. Available on everything from PS5 to the original Nintendo Switch, the multiplayer sci-fi game has only continued to increase in scale, all while somehow still performing well on its lowest-power platform.
While handhelds like the Steam Deck and the new Nintendo Switch are substantially more powerful than the 2017 Nintendo Switch, Hello Games engine programmer Martin Griffiths explained that updating the game on all three handheld targets is a major pain due to “impossible memory constraints”.
Speaking to fans on social media, Griffiths explained that updates for these platforms take significantly longer to develop compared to the ongoing console builds. “The mobile platforms like Switch 1 and 2, along with Steam Deck, take a disproportionate amount of engineering time with every update they release,” the developer told fans.
“A bunch of us at Hello Games probably spend 2-3x more time to make these updates seamlessly work, exactly like the other consoles do along with PC/Mac etc,” they continued. While it may seem like a pain for some to have your work slowed down, Griffiths explained that the team enjoys finding ways to bring the game’s huge updates to all players at the same time.
“It’s really a delight to constantly beat impossible memory constraints with a growing game to allow people to continue to experience and enjoy No Man’s Sky,” the engine programmer concluded.
No Man’s Sky’s latest update, Xeno Arena, is an absolutely colossal addition to the already massive space exploration game. The new update essentially adds its own Pokemon clone to the game with players able to assemble a team of creature companions and engage in turn-based combat between exploring the game’s universe of planets.
After its rough debut in 2017, No Man’s Sky has seen arguably the greatest comeback story of any video game, resting next to CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077. The sci-fi game has received a number of game-changing updates over the years, and it’s playable on pretty much anything, memory constraints be dammed. While it may not be the nicest experience on the original Nintendo Switch, it’s still pretty damn playable, and that’s what matters.
