How Did They Make No Man’s Sky So Big?
The sheer scale of No Man’s Sky is arguably its most defining characteristic. Boasting an astonishing 18 quintillion planets, it’s a universe that dwarfs virtually every other game ever created. But how did a relatively small team at Hello Games manage to conjure up such an immensity? The answer lies in the power of procedural generation. Rather than manually designing every planet, creature, and star system, the developers crafted complex algorithms that can create them on the fly. This process begins with a single, seemingly innocuous 64-bit seed number. This seed acts as the starting point for all the mathematical calculations that generate the entire universe. Think of it as the DNA for everything that exists within the game. Each unique seed results in a unique galaxy.
This seed, combined with the deterministic algorithms, means that everything within the game is generated predictably. For every single planet, from its terrain, flora, fauna, climate, and resource distribution, the data is created upon entering a system. This has several advantages. Firstly, it’s incredibly space efficient. The game doesn’t need to store the details of each and every planet individually. Secondly, it means that the potential variations are practically limitless. This is because these algorithms are designed to create diverse and unique worlds based on the seed and the location within the galaxy. The beauty of this approach is that the planets don’t exist in the game until you choose to visit them. The game doesn’t actually “have” 18 quintillion planets stored somewhere on a server. Instead, they are generated only when needed. This is the secret behind the game’s enormous scale, it’s an on-demand creation. This keeps file sizes manageable while providing an almost endless play area.
The game uses layers upon layers of procedural generation. At the top level, the algorithm dictates the formation of entire galaxies, each consisting of star systems. Within each system, algorithms then create the planets, assigning them a type of star, distance from the star, and other basic characteristics. Then the algorithm generates the topography, the climate, and then populates the surface with flora and fauna, creating unique species with their own behaviors and appearances. It’s this combination of random generation from the seed and deterministic rule-sets that allows for such a staggering number of planets, each with a unique identity. This also extends to the generation of ships, multi-tools, and alien races found within the game. Every element is constructed from basic building blocks using the same underlying logic. This not only creates variety, but also the illusion of a massive, interconnected, and evolving universe.
Understanding Procedural Generation
Deterministic Algorithms and Randomness
At the heart of No Man’s Sky is the concept of deterministic algorithms. These are sets of rules and instructions that, given a particular input, always produce the same output. The seed dictates which output is chosen each time from the available possibilities. This is crucial because it ensures that the game is consistent. If two players happen to travel to the same point in the universe, they will see the same planet, creatures, and resources. The randomness in the universe is not true randomness, rather it is a series of carefully chosen pseudo-random numbers that create variations across the 18 quintillion possibilities. It’s a calculated randomness that makes the universe both believable and explorable.
Layered Approach
The procedural generation in No Man’s Sky isn’t a one-step process. It works in layers, each step further defining the nature of the elements. First comes the broad structure of galaxies and star systems. Then, come the planets, with their varied topography and atmospheres. Finally, details are added, including flora, fauna, and even the unique traits of the various sentient alien races. This layered approach creates a sense of depth and makes each planet feel distinctive even though it follows a similar underlying algorithmic design.
Efficiency and Scale
The most significant benefit of this system is its efficiency. By creating the universe on-demand, rather than having it pre-loaded, the game can be immensely large without requiring gigabytes upon gigabytes of storage space. This is how the game is able to offer up 18 quintillion planets and countless variations without being technically unplayable. This approach enables players to explore a vast universe without being limited by the constraints of pre-created content. It’s also what made a small studio capable of creating a universe of this size.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into No Man’s Sky
1. How many planets are actually in No Man’s Sky?
There are 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 planets in No Man’s Sky. This translates to over 18 quintillion planets.
2. Does No Man’s Sky store all these planets?
No, the game does not store all 18 quintillion planets. The planets are generated procedurally only when a player enters the system.
3. What is a “seed number” in No Man’s Sky?
The seed number is a 64-bit random number that dictates the universe’s parameters, allowing the algorithms to create a unique galaxy for each unique seed.
4. What are deterministic algorithms?
Deterministic algorithms are rules that always produce the same output given the same input. In No Man’s Sky, they work in combination with the seed number to ensure consistency.
5. How is variety achieved in a procedurally generated universe?
Variety is created by layering algorithms. Each algorithm controls an element like planet type, terrain, climate, flora, or fauna. This results in a diverse, unique, and dynamic experience.
6. Is it possible to explore every planet in No Man’s Sky?
It is virtually impossible. At a rate of one planet per second, it would take 585 billion years to explore them all.
7. Has anyone explored all of No Man’s Sky?
No. Only approximately 1% of the first galaxy, Euclid, has been explored. Significantly less of any other galaxy has been explored.
8. What is the “Galactic Hub”?
The Galactic Hub is a player-created civilization in No Man’s Sky, where players coordinate and share discoveries. It’s a focal point for social activity in the game.
9. Can species go extinct in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, both flora and fauna can go extinct. This can happen after major updates that reset the universe or due to smaller updates affecting specific species.
10. Are there ocean worlds in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, there are. Pure ocean worlds are some of the rarest planet types in No Man’s Sky, covered almost entirely by water.
11. How long does it take to 100% complete No Man’s Sky?
A typical 100% completion playthrough takes approximately 140 hours.
12. How many galaxies are in No Man’s Sky?
There are 255 galaxies in No Man’s Sky.
13. Can you claim a planet in No Man’s Sky?
Yes, you can claim a planet as your home world by finding a habitable base and claiming it.
14. How was the game made with such a small team?
The game was developed by a small team of only 15 people by the time it shipped. The game is a testament to what can be achieved with sophisticated procedural generation techniques.
15. Was No Man’s Sky a flop at launch?
No Man’s Sky had a very shaky start. The launch of the game was riddled with bugs and it was criticized for its repetitive gameplay. However, since then, the developers have made large improvements with constant updates and has reached a point that many consider a great game. It’s known for its comeback in recent years.