Cast your mind back to The Game Awards 2013 ? then known as The VGAs ? and amid Joel McHale?s bumbling, cringe-worthy hosting, the one world premiere that turned heads and raised eyebrows was that of No Man?s Sky, a procedurally-generated, impossibly big space title hatched by British indie developer Hello Games.
Fearing that No Man?s Sky wasn?t suited to a stage presentation, Studio Founder Sean Murray was initially apprehensive about showcasing the budding new IP lest it spark extravagant misconceptions about the game?s scale and scope. Alas, it didn?t take long for outlets to jump on the ambitious space exploration title, and by the turn of the year, that notorious hype train had left the station. Its destination" The far reaches of space. Eager to guide Hello Games? sophomore property onto PlayStation 4, prior to The VGAs three years ago, it was Sony that swooped in behind the scenes, brokering a deal with the studio that would ensure the platform-holder handled promotion and marketing but, crucially, allow the small-scale team to continue as is without the need for additional development support.
Greatness (") From Small Beginnings
Indeed Sean Murray was the brains behind the original prototype ? then known internally as Project Skyscraper ? eventually expanding to a four-person team in time for The VGAs unveiling. It went down a storm, too, and though hyperbole began to cast a shadow over No Man?s Sky in the months that followed, the immediate reaction circ...