Hello Games says iPhone support for No Man's Sky will follow player numbers

On October 28, a player with an iPhone 11, the oldest iPhone on the supported list ^[10], will open the free-to-try version ^[13] and find out whether the battery claim holds. Sean Murray said: "Perhaps most importantly we've put tons of work into battery life and thermodynamics, and we're super proud that No Man's Sky can be enjoyed for really long comfortable play sessions." ^[12] Whether players run long sessions on a phone is something only launch-month usage will show.

Murray wrote, "I guess I should say this is not No Man's Sky Lite," ^[2] and the pitch is a full game. The build is that game minus two features, multiplayer and planetary settlements ^[4].

Murray compared the iOS release to the original Switch launch ^[7]. "On Switch we have listened to players and built from there, including with a much expanded version on Switch 2," he said. ^[8] Then: "Based on feedback and player numbers we will support iOS in a similar way." ^[9] The sentence is a promise about process, and neither report says whether multiplayer or settlements are planned.

In our view, a buyer should judge the port on what the free version does on their own hardware and treat anything later as a bonus. The tradeoff is that support follows player numbers, so players who wait for an expanded version are not adding to the numbers that would produce it.

A two-by-two sorts buyers of the iOS build. One axis is whether you would use the missing feature in a normal week. The other is whether the vendor has put a date on it.

- Would not use it, no date: the free version settles the question. - Would use it, no date: the build as shipped is what you are buying. Multiplayer sits here for a group that plays together, because Murray's statement on iOS support is conditional ^[9]. - Would use it, dated: the decision turns on the date. Neither missing feature has one. - Would not use it, dated: the date does not affect you.