No Man’s Sky NEXT update is set to drop later this week and should be available on PS4 and the new Xbox One at the same time.
The new No Man’s Sky free expansion has been given a July 24 release date on PS4, Xbox One and PC.
The Xbox One version of the game is going live on the same day, meaning Microsoft console owners will have a new update waiting for them.
According to the tech giant, No Man’s Sky will be available to play on Xbox One in the UK at 2PM.
This should mean that the new Next DLC will be available at that point too.
For those in the United States, No Man’s Sky will be available to play on Xbox One at around 6AM/06:00 PST.
One of the most significant new features coming to No Man’s Sky through the NEXT expansion is multiplayer.
It has been confirmed that small groups of players will be able to roam the galaxy together and even have the chance to battle others they find.
There will also be a lot more customisation options offered to players, as well as the chance to build bases together.
Here are some of the early patch notes, courtesy of developers Hello Games:
Multiplayer
- Team up a small team of friends and explore the universe together, or be joined by random travellers.
- You can help friends to stay alive, or prey on others to survive.
- Tiny shelters or complex colonies that you build as a team are shared for all players.
- Fight as a pirate or a wingman in epic space battles with friends and enemies.
- Race exocraft across weird alien terrains, creating race tracks and trails to share online.
- Character customisation allows you to personalise your appearance.
Visual Overhaul
- The game is fully playable in third or first person, both on foot and in ship.
- Planetary rings and improved space visuals make space more beautiful than ever.
- Dramatically improved planetary terrain generation, ground textures, water and clouds bring the environment to life.
- Significantly more detail added to ships, NPCs and buildings.
Unlimited Base Building
- Bases can now be built anywhere on any planet.
- Dramatically increased base building complexity and size limits.
- Hundreds of new base parts.
- Own multiple bases.
Command Freighters
- Assemble and upgrade a fleet of frigates and command them from the bridge of your freighter.
- Send your fleet out to into the universe, or deploy them to help you as you explore a specific system.
- Improved freighter base building allows a truly custom capital ship.
- Invite your friends aboard and take on challenging multiplayer missions from the Galactic Commision Station on your bridge.
Here’s more from studio head, Sean Murray, who writes: “We were delighted by the reaction to NEXT, even though we just shared the name so far, it means so much to see that people were already pumped about it.
“The reaction to coming to Xbox and weGame was really lovely too. I am excited for new players to be able to play such an expanded game from the start, as well as experienced players having a fresh experience.
“We’ve been playtesting multiplayer for the last 6 months, and the game has evolved into a very new experience that we think the community will enjoy.
“You’ll be able to explore the universe with a small group of friends or bump into random travellers. You can help friends to stay alive, or prey on others to survive.
“Tiny shelters or complex colonies that you build as a team are shared for all players. Fight as a pirate or a wingman in epic space battles with friends and enemies. Race exocraft across weird alien terrains, creating race tracks and trails to share online.
“That’s always been the potential I think everyone could see in what we were making, it’s been a lot of hard work, but thanks to the team and the community we are so glad to finally able to make it a reality.”
The Xbox One launch of No Man’s Sky will include all 4 major updates (Foundation, Pathfinder, Atlas Rises and NEXT), along with dozens of smaller patches.
505 Games have been confirmed as distributing the physical Xbox One version worldwide.