How Big Is the Open World in No Man’s Sky?
The open world of No Man’s Sky isn’t just big; it’s staggeringly, almost incomprehensibly massive. To put it simply, the game features a procedurally generated universe boasting over 18 quintillion planets spread across 255 unique galaxies. This number, 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 to be precise, is so large that it dwarfs almost any other game in existence, and it’s not just empty space. Each of these planets, while procedurally generated, offers unique biomes, flora, fauna, and resources for players to discover. This immense scale is what truly sets No Man’s Sky apart, making it not just a large game, but a truly unparalleled exploration experience. It’s a universe you could spend lifetimes exploring, quite literally.
The Scale of Exploration
The sheer number of planets isn’t the only factor contributing to the game’s vastness. Seamless travel is a key feature, allowing players to fly directly from the surface of one planet into the atmosphere and through space to another, all without loading screens. Every star you see in the sky is actually a solar system you can travel to, further enhancing the sense of limitless exploration. Imagine being able to pick any star in the night sky and seamlessly travel there; that’s the core experience of No Man’s Sky. This seamless transition between celestial bodies significantly increases the game’s scale, making the universe feel truly interconnected and limitless.
The game’s procedural generation system ensures that each planet feels different, providing countless hours of discovery. This isn’t just a vast empty space, it’s a vast and diverse one. You might stumble upon a barren, rocky wasteland in one system and a lush, vibrant jungle world in the next. This unpredictability keeps the game fresh, always promising new surprises around every corner.
The Immeasurable Time Investment
Trying to understand the full scope of No Man’s Sky by looking at raw numbers is almost impossible. However, let’s put things into a perspective by considering time. The article mentions that it would take nearly 585 billion years to visit every planet in the game. This isn’t just a theoretical number. It’s a calculated estimate based on the speed and methods of travel within the game. While most players are not intending to visit every single world, this time calculation highlights the sheer magnitude of the universe created.
Even though the universe is not infinite—the game has an approximate number of 18 quintillion planets—it is practically infinite in terms of exploration for an individual. In fact, Less than 1/1,000,000,000 of 1% has been discovered. It’s clear that a player will never exhaust the possibilities within this vast cosmos, ensuring the game’s longevity and replayability.
Comparison to Other Open World Games
While other games may have massive maps in square miles, No Man’s Sky stands out due to its unique universe design. Games like Minecraft, which boasts a landmass of approximately 1.5 billion sq. miles, or Bethesda’s Daggerfall, with its 161,600 km2, focus on land-based exploration. No Man’s Sky goes beyond, providing an entire universe to explore. While they are large in area, those other games are not comparable to the astronomical scale of a universe. Other larger “maps” like those found in Arma 3, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Burnout Paradise and Death Stranding at 104, 154, 200, and 230 square miles respectively, still fall incredibly short.
The fundamental difference lies in procedural generation which creates countless individual worlds, rather than a single hand-designed map. No Man’s Sky is not just bigger; it operates on a totally different level of scale, making a real comparison difficult. It’s about space exploration across entire galaxies, not just sprawling landmasses. The ability to seamlessly fly from planet to planet, through solar systems and galaxies, also places No Man’s Sky in a league of its own in terms of perceived size.
The Allure of the Unknown
Ultimately, the appeal of No Man’s Sky lies in the thrill of exploring the vast unknown. The idea of stumbling upon a never-before-seen planet, naming it, and claiming it as your own is a powerful draw. With such an enormous game, the possibilities are truly endless. Whether you’re driven by exploration, combat, trading, or base building, No Man’s Sky provides a universe of endless potential for engaging and surprising experiences. Its huge scale is more than a statistic, it is the foundation for a gameplay experience that allows you to feel small and insignificant in comparison to the sheer vastness of space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the size and scope of No Man’s Sky, designed to provide additional valuable information:
1. Is No Man’s Sky truly infinite?
No, No Man’s Sky is not actually infinite. It contains approximately 18 quintillion planets. However, given that no one could possibly explore all those planets, it is considered effectively infinite for practical gameplay purposes.
2. How many galaxies are in No Man’s Sky?
There are 255 unique galaxies in the game, numbered 1 through 255. These galaxies are spread throughout the universe, with players starting in the first one, and are all procedurally generated.
3. How long would it take to explore all of No Man’s Sky?
It would take an estimated 585 billion years to explore every planet in the game at the current pace of exploration.
4. Is No Man’s Sky the biggest open world game?
In terms of number of explorable spaces, Yes, No Man’s Sky is the biggest open world game, mainly due to its procedurally generated universe.
5. Can you travel from planet to planet seamlessly in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, you can travel seamlessly from the surface of one planet to another, through space, and into another system without any loading screens.
6. Are No Man’s Sky planets randomly generated?
Yes, No Man’s Sky planets are procedurally generated using algorithms, creating unique characteristics and features for each world.
7. Is No Man’s Sky bigger than Earth?
Yes, considering that the Earth’s surface is 200 million square miles, No Man’s Sky has the equivalent of 7 trillion Earth surfaces.
8. How much of No Man’s Sky has been explored?
Less than 1/1,000,000,000 of 1% of the game’s universe has been discovered by players.
9. How many ships can a player own in No Man’s Sky?
Players can own up to 12 different starships at once.
10. How far can you build a base in No Man’s Sky?
You can extend your base up to 1000u away from the base computer horizontally and vertically.
11. What is the goal of No Man’s Sky?
The game’s primary goal is exploration, allowing players to discover the universe at their own pace and make it to the center of the galaxy.
12. What is the Galactic Hub in No Man’s Sky?
The Galactic Hub is the largest and oldest active civilization in No Man’s Sky, a community-created area where players congregate.
13. Can you play No Man’s Sky casually?
Yes, the game has a relaxed mode that provides an accessible experience with reduced danger and minimal grind.
14. Is No Man’s Sky worth playing alone?
Yes, playing No Man’s Sky alone is enjoyable and fulfilling, although connecting with other players can enhance the experience.
15. Is there an end to No Man’s Sky?
Narratively, there is a culmination, but the story never really ends, and players are left with a few questions, meaning that there is no true end to gameplay.
In conclusion, the open world of No Man’s Sky is not only gigantic but incredibly deep, providing a universe of unparalleled scale and exploration potential. Its size is a fundamental part of what makes it such a compelling and unique game.