Hello Games
From disaster to redemption
Hello Games transformed No Man's Sky from gaming's most controversial launch into its greatest redemption story through years of silent, dedicated updates.
Overview
Four people in Guildford making physics-based stunt games. That was Hello Games in 2008. By 2016, they’d shipped the most controversial game of the decade. By 2022, that same game represented gaming’s greatest comeback. No Man’s Sky’s journey from disaster to redemption defined Hello Games—a studio that chose silent work over loud excuses.
Fast facts
- Founded: 2008, Guildford, UK.
- Founder: Sean Murray.
- Team (at NMS launch): ~15 people.
- Origin: Ex-Criterion, ex-Sumo staff.
Early years
| Game | Year | Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Joe Danger | 2010 | PS3 |
| Joe Danger 2: The Movie | 2012 | PS3, Xbox 360 |
| Joe Danger Touch | 2012 | iOS |
| Joe Danger Special Edition | 2011 | Xbox 360 |
Joe Danger established Hello Games as creators of polished, playful physics games. The series’ success funded No Man’s Sky development.
No Man’s Sky arc
| Phase | Period | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | 2013 | Massive hype |
| Development | 2013-16 | Small team, huge scope |
| Launch | Aug 2016 | Controversy, backlash |
| Silence | 2016-17 | No public communication |
| Foundation update | Nov 2016 | First of many fixes |
| Redemption | 2018+ | Continuous improvement |
The redemption strategy
After launch disaster, Sean Murray and Hello Games went silent—unusual for an industry prone to apology tours. Instead of talking, they shipped: twenty major free updates over six years, each adding features originally promised and more.
| Year | Major updates |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Foundation (base building) |
| 2017 | Pathfinder, Atlas Rises |
| 2018 | NEXT (true multiplayer) |
| 2019 | Beyond (VR, expanded) |
| 2020 | Origins (overhauled planets) |
| 2021+ | Continuing updates |
Guildford survival
Hello Games survived by staying small and independent. Guildford location connected them to industry veterans who advised during crisis. The studio proved indie resilience—no publisher could have sustained NMS’s recovery strategy.
Industry lessons
Hello Games demonstrated that:
- Post-launch support can redeem failures
- Actions matter more than apologies
- Small teams can achieve vast scope
- Player trust can be rebuilt