No Man’s Sky, the procedurally generated universe-exploring created by the small team at Hello Games, may have made a splash at this year’s E3, but last night’s demo on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert launched the game into a whole new dimension. Hello Games’ co-founder Sean Murray seemed in his element, talking Colbert through the title, exploring a number of planets and tagging creatures (and a whole celestial body!) with the host’s name. The demonstration was impressive, with clear (if simplified) explanations of the size and scope of the generated universe, and mentions of the remote possibility of running into other explorers.
But while the game itself, and the methods behind it, are stunning, the real surprise was the title’s presence on the show at all. Stealing the show at E3 is one thing; a new IP without the backing of a major studio featured on a mainstream American show is a whole other beast, but what a game to serve as a vehicle for a push toward the mainstream. With billions in sales every year, it’s hard to figure how games are still considered a niche market, but with ads and other media dominated with the usual suspects, it feels as though most people who don’t much participate in the gaming sphere tend to split the culture into two portions: mobile and casual games alongside the big franchises like Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto. Here, though, is something special, spectacular: a piece of software designed to create an entire universe, complete with explorable planets and lifeforms that have evolved based on the unique elements created for the game.
This isn’t Jimmy Fallon talking Killzone 3. This is an artistic experience with game elements, a different experience altogether, showcased on the mainstream media… and not because of some problematic element, but just because it’s an interesting look at how innovative games can be.
This week also saw YouTuber PewDiePie on the show, the day before Murray and his demo, and while PewDiePie is a more standard choice for an interview, these two back-to-back inclusions seem to establish a trend for Colbert’s new show. Whether that’s a reflection of interests in the team, or a reflection of a shift within American culture and opinions of games, I can’t say. I can only say that the demo of No Man’s Sky seems like a lovely step forward in the perception of games.
