Home Gaming No Man’s Sky should have been an “Early Access” game says Geoff Keighley

No Man’s Sky should have been an “Early Access” game says Geoff Keighley

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NMS

It really hasn’t been a good year for Hello Games. Not even a quintillion planets can save you from a hostile fanbase, as No Man’s Sky got savagely ripped apart by consumers and critics alike after launch. Maybe it was the fact that people weren’t keen to see certain promises delivered on or maybe the finished product was boring.

But No Man’s Sky just didn’t seem to work as a flagship game for the PlayStation and PC this year. Something that industry media veteran Geoff Keighley apparently saw coming. The former GameTrailers host recently launched a new show titled ‘Live with YouTube Gaming’, and he shared a few thoughts on No Man’s Sky, a game which he very helped hype when it was first announced.

“I’ve honestly resisted saying anything about this game for the better part of the past year because I’ve been sort of internally conflicted about what I saw happening,” Keighley said via DigitalSpy, describing how he voiced some concern with the direction that No Man’s Sky was taking before release when he checked in on the studio.

NMS2

The last time I saw the guy who heads up Hello Games – Sean Murray – was back in March and he told me then that he didn’t really want to be around me any more because he thought that I was being a little bit too negative about the game and my assessment of where it was at. They were under an incredible amount of pressure.

The real killer according to Keighley? That No Man’s Sky was released with a full price tag usually reserved for modern day AAA games. “I think what they should have done is put it out as an Early Access game, let people play it and over time build the team and the community,” Keighley said. And that’s not a bad bit of hindsight.

I still like No Man’s Sky for what it is, but only so many games can work as a platform for future content updates that’ll add more to the experience. No Man’s Sky isn’t one of those games. Still, Hello Games did create a technical marvel, and for the diehard fans who stayed on, more content is on the way. Good luck convincing people to give it a second chance however, as once burned then twice shy.

Last Updated: October 4, 2016

15 Comments

  1. Agreed wholeheartedly with Geoff here

    Reply

  2. Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0

    October 4, 2016 at 12:39

    Most apt title for a video game EVER!

    Reply

  3. DragonSpirit009

    October 4, 2016 at 12:49

    Early access would have been a great idea. If only they did, people might have been less “verbal” about the game

    Reply

    • Pieter Kruger

      October 4, 2016 at 13:35

      Sony doesn’t have early access do they…….?!

      Reply

      • DragonSpirit009

        October 4, 2016 at 13:42

        I don’t know… I’ve never played anything that might sound like an early access thing XD

        Reply

  4. Alien Emperor Trevor

    October 4, 2016 at 12:56

    I don’t understand why people give them such a hard time – they’re just copying Destiny’s content model.

    Reply

  5. Ghost In The Rift

    October 4, 2016 at 13:10

    Don’t see how Hello Games can recover from this, updates are gonna take way long and they still need to convince the 94% that left to give the game another shot, apparently Shaun is gonna give info about a mayor update this month…..yeah see where this is going….again, but lets wait for the “update” and take it from there, but i’m in no rush, that game is dead to me, though i did enjoy it for what it was, just regret not using that cash on Dues Ex.

    Reply

    • Dungeon of JJ

      October 4, 2016 at 13:16

      Deus Ex is also a bit of a hit and miss. My choice was also between NMS and DX, and I chose DX. Though at this stage I feel that I should’ve spent it elsewhere. Though the game itself is fun, it’s not Human Revolution and not near the first. It’s not well optimised for pc either and the animations feel like they’re a few years old.
      The augs system is great though, at least. Squeenix’s cash grab garbage store is a serious problem though, even if it doesn’t interfere, it sets an example for other publishers that will try to do the same.

      Reply

      • Ghost In The Rift

        October 4, 2016 at 13:29

        From reviews i gathered Dues Ex has a little issues but still i would feel i got more content for my cash, cant say the same about NMS, Love traveling to planets and explore but only so much before i start looking for some action or a “quest” or something, if NMS was let say 400 bucks i would keep my trap shut and enjoy it for the little indie tittle that it is lol.

        Reply

        • Dungeon of JJ

          October 4, 2016 at 13:35

          Oh yes. For sure. I think it should be more worth your money. I feel though that I should’ve just bought Doom instead.
          Check out Osiris New Dawn on Steam though. That’s something that really has me interested, as the Trekker in me also really loves the whole space travel and exploration thing. NMS sounded like something I’ve always wanted, clearly it’s not.
          I also think if NMS was cheaper I would’ve bought it.

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            October 4, 2016 at 13:52

            Trekker. Makes me giggle every time. 😀

          • Dungeon of JJ

            October 4, 2016 at 13:53

            Hehe

  6. Dungeon of JJ

    October 4, 2016 at 13:14

    Steam is MOSTLY NEGATIVE.
    What did they think was going to happen when they spill all these lies? And how could they not have learned from other companies by now?

    Reply

  7. WitWolfy

    October 4, 2016 at 15:47

    The mere fact that Sean just up and disappeared not mentioning anything post release didnt make things better for his studio. He should’ve coem out and say what he ahd to say to save face.. Unless he signed a NDA of sorts…

    Reply

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