The Beginner’s Guide to No Man’s Sky Mods

Why Do You Need No Man’s Sky Mods?

Since its launch in 2016, No Man’s Sky (NMS) has undergone a serious upgrade and evolution. Hello Games has turned this game about exploring space into an enormous and continually growing universe. However, for numerous gamers, the basic version is only the starting point. That is why the BandurArt team decided to shed some light on the vast community of No Man’s Sky mods.

Mods are not only extra features that should have been presented in the game’s vanilla version. They change the game drastically. Starting from small adjustments to big changes, different mods let players customize their cosmic journey.

There are visual, gameplay, utility, VR, and setup mods for No Man’s Sky you can get to boost your gaming experience.

No Man’s Sky Mods

Frequently, the No Man’s Sky modding community intervenes to address issues, enhance efficiency, and include features that improve life quality. Modders, in their unique way, can be regarded as the “heroes” who silently work and improve the game where developers can’t or won’t add anything. They also uplift and prolong the existence of games that we adore.

Can You Mod No Man’s Sky Legally?

Sure, you can mod No Man’s Sky without any problems. However, remember this – Hello Games does not officially support modding. That is why, sometimes, mods might not work smoothly with each game update or they could even cause issues like conflicts and errors because the developer has not intended or planned for such changes to be made by players who use mods. Be sure to save your files before you put mods in your game, and understand that you are taking a chance.

However, the developers do not install any anti-mod protection system and encourage modders to add new features to the original and legal NSM version. So, installing No Man’s Sky mods on a PC (Windows + Steam) is officially allowed! Just make sure to install them from trustworthy sources!

The Integration of No Man’s Sky Nexus Mods Into the Community

As we have already mentioned, the No Man’s Sky Nexus mods community is the biggest source of really useful and, more importantly, compatible modifications.

This is the place where most people go for No Man’s Sky tweaks. It has a big library of mods, ranging from small adjustments to complete game changes. In simple terms, it can be seen as the perfect home for modders.

Why use the Nexus community for your No Man’s Sky mods?

First off, it’s user-friendly. Finding and downloading mods is a breeze. The website organizes mods into different types, based on how many people use them and when they were last updated. So if you’re looking for a specific kind of mod, such as one that improves visuals or alters gameplay mechanics, you can locate it quickly.

But, Nexus isn’t only good for downloading your mods. It’s a live community. Every mod has its comment area where people exchange their encounters, hints, and help with problems. It’s like having a team of cosmic mechanics at your fingertips.

One of the Nexus’ best features? User reviews. Players rate the No Man’s Sky mods from Steam and leave feedback. This method assists you in selecting the best options. Typically, high ratings imply that a mod is steady and fulfills its stated functions.

Nexus is also simple to perform mod updates. Many modders utilize Nexus for delivering fixes and fresh functionalities. When there are updates for your installed mods, the site lets you know about them. It’s like having an auto-mechanic for your spaceship.

Important Notice! Make a Nexus account, it’s free. This will help you to keep a record of your modding history, receive notifications, and give endorsements/donations for mods that you enjoy.

Don’t forget, that modding is a community thing. No Man’s Sky Nexus Mods is not only about having a webpage – it’s where all the fans of No Man’s Sky gather to improve this game and make it better. So jump in, search around, and don’t hesitate to participate in the discussion. Your perfect modded Nexus universe is waiting!

Also, this community offers mods for so many other titles, mostly AAA games and popular indie projects. Explore and browse to get the best modifications for your favorite gaming titles.

How to Install No Man’s Sky Mods on Steam?

It is quite easy to do after you download your favorite Nexus mods for No Man’s Sky. You also have the official Steam account with the bought version of NMS. The following guide may not work if you use the pirated version!

These are the steps to install No Man’s Sky mods

1) Go to the Game Installation Folder

You can do this if you have No Man’s Sky on Steam: right-click the game title, move your mouse pointer to “Manage” and choose “Browse Local Files” from the options that appear. Open the GAMEDATA folder and then navigate to PCBANKS.

2) Prepare Your Game for Mods:

  • Locate and either delete or rename the file called DISABLEMODS.TXT;
  • Create a new folder named MODS inside the PCBANKS folder;

3) Download and Prepare Mods:

  • Pick the mods you desire from a reliable place such as Nexus Mods. Make certain they are suitable for use with the most recent game version;
  • Unzip the mod files and move the .pak files to the MODS folder you made. Put them directly in this folder, not inside any subfolder;

4) Launch No Man’s Sky

Start the game and wait for the splash screen to disappear. You will see a caution notification saying “You are using a modded version of the game” before you are able to pick your saved file.

Tips to Remember Before Setting up No Man’s Sky Install Mods:

  • Stick to reputable sites like NexusMods;
  • Read user reviews and comments;
  • Start with popular, well-maintained, and regularly upgraded mods;
  • Keep your antivirus updated, just in case;
  • Do not forget, that modding is an art, not a science. It might need some experimenting to achieve the ideal arrangement. Yet, this is what makes it enjoyable;

For those who play on consoles and feel excluded, there is a bit of hope. Certain mods can influence the official free updates of No Man’s Sky. Though you can’t use mods directly, it’s possible to encounter features similar to mods in upcoming patches.

Best No Man’s Sky Mods You Can Install in 2024

Let the BandurArt team share some of our favorite mods that can drastically change your No Man’s Sky experience.

1) Visual Mods

At first, we have the Crescent Worlds. This mod changes standard randomized planets into beautiful crescents, providing you with a front-row view of an astral illumination. This modification also improves the colors in the sky and the textures of clouds. As for the clouds, if you enjoy looking at the sky, then HD Clouds mod is something that you should definitely have. It changes those square-shaped clouds into sharp and natural-looking ones – it’s so good that you will stop to look at them.

For the people who are truly into space, Real Space changes everything. It shows the cosmos in a more…well, space manner. Stars shine with realistic colors, nebulae become visually striking and even space stations’ designs get an upgrade. It’s like having a telescope strapped to your spaceship.

We also recommend checking this YouTube video dedicated to some of the best No Man’s Sky visual mods.

2) Gameplay Mods

The Fast Actions mod accelerates usual actions such as collecting resources and making things. This modification appeals to those players who don’t want to survive in harsh environments and all those indicators and spend more time dedicated to exploration. Many gamers consider this upgrade as one of the must-have No Man’s Sky mods.

For those of you who hunger for more excitement in space battles, give the mod More Better Pirates a try. This modification boosts the difficulty by adding cleverer and more powerful space bandits. You can anticipate more aggressive AI, diverse ship models, and enhanced rewards for your space victories.

Have you ever imagined making your fleet of spaceships? The Buildable Freighters mod lets you do this. Now, it’s possible to build and customize huge ships with a greater variety of parts and choices. It even expands freighter missions, giving your fleet more freedom.

3) Utility Mods

The UI mod is a gift from the gods for those who despise the vanilla NMS menus. It makes inventory management smooth, mission tracking better, and provides the ability to personalize HUD components. It feels like having an ultra-capable space secretary.

If you simply want to wander and explore without disturbance, use the Hide or Fade Notifications mod. It mutes those annoying little pop-ups, letting you enjoy cosmic adventure. You can choose which alerts to keep customized for your needs.

Finally, the Quick Transfer mod can become a helper in managing inventory. You can move resources with just one click and automatic arranging features allow for less time spent organizing items and more time exploring.

4) No Man’s Sky VR Mods

Since adding VR, the game has a few VR mods you can try. However, prepare for some glitches due to the constant upgrades of the VR software.

Firstly, there is the VR Performance Kit. This mod is a must-have for an enhanced VR experience. It will boost the graphics and performance. You will see the alien realms without any blockage in your movement.

For those who enjoy fine details, there’s the VR Visual Overhaul. This modification increases texture precision and introduces more elements to planets. Also, it is one of the best No Man’s Sky creature mods you can experience only in VR.

Also, there are such great VR mods for NMS as VR No Highlights, CleanHUD, etc.

Don’t forget, that modding VR games might have their difficulties. If something doesn’t work right, stay calm. The No Man’s Sky modding community is really supportive and always eager to help.

4) Other Cool Mods in No Man’s Sky

In addition to the already mentioned mods, you can also install these No Man’s Sky mods:

  • Better Rewards – enhances the quality and quantity of rewards;
  • Better Ships – increases the frequency of higher-tier ship encounters;
  • Start With the TARDIS – which includes the Doctor Who’s ship;
  • No Man’s Connect Online Location Manager – customizes the navigation through the procedurally generated universe with location markers and teleportation options;
  • Better Planet Generation – improves planet diversity and visual quality;
  • Exosolar’s Expanse – increases the cosmic environment by adding dimmer space visuals and faraway nebulae;
  • Argh Water – revamps water shaders;
  • Exosolar’s Beyond Base Building – enhances base building mechanics;
  • Dud’s Sky Colors – adds vibrant new color schemes for flora, terrain, and atmospheres;

Surely, we have just scratched the surface with some of the best No Man’s Sky setup mods and visual upgrades. You are free to offer your favorite mods. Also, get the inspiration from this No Man’s Sky Next mods on Reddit. The most important thing is to check the compatibility with your in-game version before the new mod installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use mods on No Man’s Sky?

Yes, No Man’s Sky supports the mods but mainly on PC. Console players for now are not able to directly use these mods. But you can improve your game with mods on PC. These modifications can change the look, gameplay tweaks, or add new aspects to it. To manage mods on Windows OS, you will require a mod manager such as Vortex. You can download No Man Sky’s mods from reliable places like the Nexus Mods platform and install them using the mod manager.

Do not forget to check if the mod is compatible with your game version and other installed mods. Before applying any new mods, create backup copies of your saved files. Start with a small number of mods and slowly increase them as you build your ideal game from this space simulator.

In No Man’s Sky, how do you know mods are working?

You always can check if mods are working smoothly in No Man’s Sky. Just launch the game once you have installed and activated your mods. Pay attention to any small changes – the installed visual mods should be instantly visible at once, and test the new gameplay features as well. If you are not certain, then turn off all mods apart from the one that you are play-testing.

Certain mods will include the settings menus inside the game. If you don’t see any change, make sure the No Man Sky’s mods are turned on in your mod manager and match the game’s version on your PC.

Also, read the descriptions of mods about how to verify if they are working or not after the installation.

Can mods in No Man’s Sky get you VACed (banned)?

Using the mods in No Man’s Sky will not lead to VAC (Valve Anti-Cheat) banishment from the game. This is because No Man’s Sky does not officially support VAC, so there are no worries in that matter. The general approach of Hello Games, the NMS developers, is to be mod-friendly. That is why they haven’t put in severe anti-cheat methods for single-player or multiplayer.

Always choose trustworthy places such as Nexus Mods so as not to get malware. In multiplayer, think about it – the mods that offer unfair benefits might not make you get a ban, but they can spoil joy for others.

How do No Man’s Sky mods work in multiplayer?

Using No Man Sky’s mods in multiplayer mode can be tricky but quite possible if you know what you are doing.  As a general rule, visual mods usually function correctly in a multiplayer mode of NMS – you will enjoy the changes but other players who play with you won’t see them.

The gameplay mods in NMS multiplayer may cause serious issues though. If you are using the mods that switch game mechanics, and resources or implement the features and your friends do not use them, there could be disparities or imbalances in the gaming experience.

To prevent this problem, communicate with your group beforehand and decide on a common set of modifications for everyone to apply and enjoy the game equally.

Conclusion

Once again the BandurArt team focuses on different aspects of game development using No Man Sky’s mods as the real examples. We encourage you to start your path as a game dev by creating a working mod for your favorite game. Many mods frequently turn out to be great single games if they grow too large and have a faithful fan-made community. Also, our team is eager to help you with any game development services. Feel free to contact us to get the first consultation!

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