No Man's Sky Rises to Second-Most Played Game on Steam Deck After Update

What's Happening?

No Man's Sky has become the second-most played game on the Steam Deck following a major update called Voyagers. This update allows players to build and customize Corvette-class starships, which can be explored and shared with friends, enhancing the multiplayer experience. The update also introduces new multiplayer missions and a community expedition focused on ship-building. The game's popularity has surged, climbing 42 spots in the Steam Deck Top Played charts, now only behind Hollow Knight. A significant factor in this rise is a 60% discount on Steam, reducing the game's price to $23.99 until September 8.

Why It's Important?

The resurgence of No Man's Sky on the Steam Deck highlights the impact of continuous updates and community engagement in the gaming industry. The game's ability to climb the charts demonstrates the effectiveness of Hello Games' strategy to improve and expand the game post-launch. This trend underscores the importance of post-release support and content updates in maintaining and growing a game's player base. The discount also plays a crucial role in attracting new players, showcasing how pricing strategies can influence game popularity and sales.

What's Next?

With the current momentum, No Man's Sky could potentially overtake Hollow Knight as the most played game on the Steam Deck. The ongoing discount and recent update are likely to continue driving player engagement. The game's developers may further capitalize on this success by planning additional updates or expansions to sustain interest. The gaming community will be observing whether No Man's Sky can maintain its position and how other developers might adopt similar strategies to boost their games' popularity.