No Man’s Sky’s Latest Threat Seems Like A Star Wars Homage

No Man’s Sky has launched The Swarm, a major free update introducing a Death Star-inspired threat to the game. The update features the Hive of Glass, a massive space station equipped with a laser capable of destroying space-station sized objects and commanding swarms of robotic drones. The update appears to be timed around the 49th anniversary of the original Star Wars film.

The Swarm introduces a community-driven faction system that divides players into three groups based on a personality test taken at startup. All three factions must cooperate and strategize together to counter the existential threat posed by the Hive of Glass. The expedition is scheduled to run for approximately eight weeks and features both large-scale space battles and puzzle-solving elements on planetary surfaces.

Players can salvage materials and resources from defeated drones, providing rewards beyond combat for those who prefer exploration and collection. Progress in the campaign is tracked at the Nexus, the central hub for the battle effort. According to Hello Games chief Sean Murray, the update requires “a combined community effort” to understand and overcome the threat, creating a Helldivers 2-style collaborative experience. The update comes as Hello Games continues its pattern of regular free updates for No Man’s Sky ahead of the game’s 10th anniversary later in 2026.

Sources

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