Shuhei Yoshida, president of Sony's Worldwide Studios, has said he understands why some fans were critical of the controversial space survival sim "No Man's Sky", and criticize Hello Games' for its bungled PR strategy for building up unrealistic expectations.
Disappointed gamers complained about the lack of features and functionality in the final launch that Sean Murray, the development chief had previously referred to during interviews and previews, ranging from multiplayer feature to the complexity of its combat and trading systems.
During an interview with Eurogamer at the Tokyo Game Show, Shuhei Yoshida had noted to have had the chance to play the game right before the release adding he restarted playing the game on launch day with the Day One patch. "I could see the struggle for the developers to get the game out in the form that they wanted," Yoshida said.
Yoshida confirmed that he personally "really enjoyed" playing "No Man's Sky" but could see and appreciate why others might not feel the same way. "I understand some of the criticisms Sean Murray is receiving, because he sounded like he was promising more features in the game from day one," Yoshida told Eurogamer. On numerous occasions, Murray had stated that players would be able to meet up with each other in-game.
Yoshida criticized the PR used saying, "it was not a great PR strategy, because he did not have a PR person assisting him, and in the end he is just an indie developer." He added that "No Man's Sky" team plan is to continue to develop the game features and such, "and I am looking forward to keep to playing the game."
Many players who had purchased the game on PS4 and PC turned to Sony asking for an unprecedented amount of refunds. Eurogamer had reported on the refund situation with "No Man's Sky" last month, but since then, many disgruntled customers reported that Sony Australia denied them a refund, alongside what seems like a generic statement that staffs have been instructed to relay to customers.
According to Engadget, despite being critical of the marketing way, Yoshida stated he personally loved the game and is glad it is on Sony's platform, and did not think the mess around its release will harm the PlayStation brand in the long run.
"I am very happy with the game actually, and I am amazed with the sales the game has gotten, so I am not the right person to judge if it has "harmed" the PlayStation brand," he said. "I personally don't think so. If anything, I am proud that people can play No Man's Sky on PS4 as well as PC."
Watch 50 planets from "No Man's Sky" in 7 minutes (PS4 gameplay) here: