After a rocky start in 2016, No Man’s Sky has steadily transformed into a celebrated space exploration title, buoyed by continuous updates from developer Hello Games. The latest of these, the Voyagers update, has sparked the biggest surge in player numbers on Steam since the game’s release, with concurrent users peaking at nearly 98,285 on September 1, 2025, according to data shared by Hello Games co-founder Sean Murray. Initially hyped as a colossal, procedurally generated universe, No Man’s Sky faced criticism at launch for missing several promised features and delivering a sparse experience. However, the development team’s ongoing dedication has led to a remarkable resurgence in the game’s popularity over the years. The Voyagers update notably introduces an expansive ship customization system centered around a new class of starship: the Corvette. Players can now design detailed ships with fully traversable interiors, tailor every component, and even explore space alongside friends in multiplayer mode. This new level of creative freedom has inspired a vibrant community response, resulting in imaginative builds ranging from pixelated portraits of Sean Murray to recreations of iconic sci-fi vessels and whimsical designs such as a Nokia 3310-shaped ship. Beyond shipbuilding, Voyagers enhances gameplay with mechanics like space skydiving—allowing players to free fall from orbit to planetary surfaces without damage—a feature embraced enthusiastically by the VR player base as well. The fresh content has elevated No Man’s Sky into the top ranks of Steam Deck’s most-played games, taking second place behind Hollow Knight. The player-driven creativity is evident across social media and forums, with users posting elaborate custom ship designs paying homage to British culture, science fiction classics, and video game lore. The update also aligns with Hello Games’ forward-looking development, as technologies implemented for Voyagers are slated to influence their upcoming fantasy survival title, Light No Fire. This milestone marks a compelling turnaround for No Man’s Sky, showcasing how persistent updates and community engagement can rejuvenate a franchise long after its launch. It reinforces Hello Games’ commitment to enriching their universe, expanding multiplayer experiences, and empowering player expression within the procedurally generated cosmos. As the PC gaming landscape continues to evolve, No Man’s Sky’s resurgence underscores the value of sustained post-launch support, proving that initial missteps do not preclude long-term success in a competitive market.