How to Activate Multiplayer in No Man‘s Sky – The Ultimate Guide

As a passionate No Man‘s Sky player and fan since launch, one of my favorite features that Hello Games has added over the years is true multiplayer functionality. Back at release, we only had vague lobbies and ghostly orbs representing other players in the universe.

But after numerous major updates, we now have a fully-fledged cooperative multiplayer system integrated directly into the core game. You can explore, fight, trade, and survive alongside friends as proper animated player models.

So if you‘re looking to squad up and journey across the stars with allies, here is the ultimate guide on getting multiplayer up and running in No Man‘s Sky…

How to Enable Multiplayer in 3 Easy Steps

Activating the multiplayer capabilities in No Man‘s Sky takes just a few quick steps:

1. Ensure You‘re Connected Online – Confirm you have an active internet connection through your preferred platform (PSN, Xbox Live, Steam, etc). Log into required services.

2. Access Network Options In-Game – Launch No Man‘s Sky, navigate to the main Options menu selection, then choose "Network".

3. Configure Multiplayer Settings – Within the Network screen, toggle "Network Play" to Enabled and adjust "Multiplayer" permissions to invite Friends or make games public.

And that‘s it! Once configured, you can start playing with friends immediately.

However, if you run into any matchmaking issues, the following troubleshooting guide will help identify solutions:

Troubleshooting Multiplayer Connectivity Problems

Based on my experience assisting other players in the community, here are the most common multiplayer connectivity problems and fixes. Try these steps yourself or recommend them to squadmates if you can‘t join up:

Verify Network and Services

• Run a connection test through your platform to ensure proper functioning. Reboot hardware if failed.
• On consoles, check the network status icons to confirm if PSN or Xbox Live services are fully operational.
• PC players can navigate web pages separately to test general internet connectivity.

Check In-Game Multiplayer Settings

• From the Network options, validate "Multiplayer" permissions are enabled for Friend, Group, or Public joining.
• Under Discovery Services, nearby player data matchmaking should show as "Online".

Toggle Multiplayer Mode Off and On

• Briefly disabling Network Play then re-enabling can reset connections.
• Same goes for shutting down the game application and relaunching to reload components.

Examine NAT Limitations

• NAT issues are common for console players especially.
• Run a NAT Type test and open ports if yours shows as Moderate or Strict.

By combining connection verification steps with proper multiplayer configuration, most sessions should initialize without problems.

However, let‘s explore additional factors that can disrupt gameplay…

Why You Might Have Trouble Joining Friends

Beyond general networking trouble, there are game-specific elements that can also prevent squad formation between players:

• Friends playing on different game modes (Normal, Survival, Permadeath etc)
• Players currently in different galaxies across the expansive in-game universe
• Game not properly updated to latest patch with version mismatch
• Session host has multiplayer set to "Invite Only"
• Console users grouped into different virtual platform parties

When attempting to come together for adventure, be sure your party checks they are playing the same save mode, have multiplayer options open to Friends or Public, game clients are updated, and console sub-groups are united.

Matchmaking With Random Players

Playing with random explorers is also an exciting aspect added post-release. Here are noteworthy points around mixing it up with strangers online:

• 16 players per instance across PC and consoles
• Switching multiplayer to "Public" enables matchmaking
• Nexus hub allows grouping en masse
• Players congregating at popular community planets

So if you prefer spontaneity and variety, set sessions to Public and hang out in Nexus social spaces or named community worlds like New Lennon to meet fellow interlopers.

The Vast Scale of Multiplayer Possibilities

It‘s important to understand the immense scale of No Man‘s Sky‘s universe when managing expectations around chance encounters and multiplayer engagements:

• Over 18 quintillion planets across 255 unique galaxies
• Billions of star systems containing multiple worlds each
• Only 16 randomly matched players per planet instance

So unlike tightly packed shooters with smaller match areas, the odds of randomly bumping into travelers without coordination is extremely low. That makes playing with friends by invitation, discovery services matchmaking, and community hotspots that much more crucial for frequent interactions.

Parting Tips For Smooth Multiplayer No Man‘s Sky Sessions

In closing, I wanted to offer some final tips for keeping your multiplayer No Man‘s Sky sessions primed:

I hope this guide gives you a full overview into activating and enhancing your multiplayer experience within No Man‘s Sky‘s infinite procedurally generated universe. See you among the stars, interlopers!