The Advertising Standard Authority Decides a Verdict on No Man's Sky

We reported (kind of) on the No Man’s Sky investigation a few months back, but in case you need a quick refresher, here’s what’s up. Following the release of No Man’s Sky and the discovery that the game was little more than a sideshow of broken dreams and promises, twenty-three players decided prissy steam reviews simply weren’t extreme enough: so they actually went to the UK’s Advertising Standard Authority and asked for them to investigate Hello Games on the grounds of false advertising, which could have opened them up to get fined, or possibly even sued.

Well, after several months of investigation, the Adverting Standard Authority has come to their conclusion: No Man’s Sky and Hello Games are innocent, and no legal action will be taken against them for their misdoings.

The statement is long, but here’s a small, essential section:

We understood that the screenshots and videos in the ad had been created using game footage, and acknowledged that in doing this the advertisers would aim to show the product in the best light. Taking into account the above points, we considered that the overall impression of the ad was consistent with gameplay and the footage provided, both in terms of that captured by Hello Games and by third parties, and that it did not exaggerate the expected player experience of the game. We therefore concluded that the ad did not breach the Code.

One thing is indisputable: while No Man’s Sky may have been an extreme example, if you think about it, nothing they did was really that unusual as far as game ads go. It’s fairly typical to have exaggerations, misleading trailers, and changed gameplay, but No Man’s Sky was so overhyped and drew so much attention it only makes sense it would get noticed for it

Good, I suppose, that ASA was able to present its findings with a level head. Especially now that the Foundation Update has people flocking back to the game, both curious and hopeful. No Man’s Sky is certainly in a weird position these days, huh?