What it is
The Release Log is Hello Games' official page cataloging every No Man's Sky update since the August 2016 launch. Each entry has the update's name (Foundation, NEXT, Worlds Part I, etc.), an approximate date, descriptions of headline features, links to the official trailer video, and links to other Hello Games resources (how to start, what's new).
It lives at nomanssky.com/release-log and is fully official. No ads, no login, no paywall. English only.
What problem it solves
NMS has had 30+ big updates with specific names (Beyond, Origins, Frontiers, Worlds, VOYAGERS, etc.). When guides or community conversations mention "this works since Beyond" or "the Origins update changed everything", understanding the chronology requires a reference. The Release Log is that official reference.
For players returning after a long break (one of NMS' most common patterns), the Release Log is the fastest way to understand what changed since the last time they played.
Differentiation
Versus the official Galactic Atlas: the atlas is visual and discovery-focused; the Release Log is textual and patch-history focused. Different things, both official.
Versus the Fandom Wiki: the wiki has deeper coverage with community context, but its patch history is secondary to the main wiki of items/mechanics. The Release Log is the primary official source.
Versus Steam Community / Steam News: Steam has patch notes but only for the Steam version and often in a more technical format. The Release Log is the narrative version with editorial tone.
What people use it for
Returning after a long break: you played up to NEXT in 2018, want to come back in 2026. The Release Log gives you an overview of what happened in those years and where to start.
Investigating historical context: if a guide mentions a system introduced in update X, the Release Log tells you when X happened.
Finding trailers and official materials: each entry links to the corresponding trailer and the official guides Hello Games published for that update.
Appreciating the project's trajectory: scrolling the full Release Log is a remarkable journey through NMS' redemption arc — one of the best in the medium.
Confirming a feature officially exists: if you doubt whether "underwater bases" are in the game, look at the Beyond or Abyss release notes.
Who this isn't for
If you need detailed technical patch notes (specific bug fixes, changed numbers), the Release Log is high level. For detail, go to Steam News or the wiki.
If you only play the current patch without historical curiosity, the Release Log adds nothing. It's contextual, not operational.
If you want info in another language, the Release Log is English only. Community translations partially exist on wikis but not official.
How it's actually used
- Go to nomanssky.com/release-log/.
- Scroll from most recent updates to oldest. Each has a tile with name, short description and a "Read more" link for more info.
- Click an update to see full detail: features, embedded trailer, secondary links.
- To find a specific update by name, browser ctrl+F works.
- No login, no interactivity — pure reading.
Honest limitations
English only. No official translations. Spanish speakers read in English.
High-level detail. No line-by-line patch notes with specific bugs fixed. Narrative with headlines.
No RSS or integrated newsletter. To learn about new updates, you have to check back or follow the official Twitter/Discord.
Static layout. The page updates with each release but navigation is basic scroll. No year or type filters.
No search. To find a specific update by keyword, browser ctrl+F is the only option.
Marketing tone. Being Hello Games, it has natural optimism. For critical analysis, use Reddit or the wiki.
How to start
Go to nomanssky.com/release-log/.
If you're returning to the game, scroll to the last update you played and read forward. It gives you an easy walkthrough of the progress.
If you're new, scroll to the original launch and come forward to appreciate the journey — it helps contextualize why the community is loyal.
Bookmark it. When the next big update drops (Hello Games ships every 2-4 months), come back to see what changed.
Consider complementing with the Galactic Atlas (galacticatlas.nomanssky.com) — the atlas covers live events, the Release Log covers history.