No Man's Sky Dev Reacts to Once Human Asset Controversy

A curious case of in-game aesthetics has sparked discussion across the gaming community, as fans noted striking similarities between a premium cosmetic in the upcoming title *Once Human* and a familiar asset from *No Man's Sky*. Sean Murray, the head of *No Man's Sky* developer Hello Games, has now weighed in on the matter with a characteristically lighthearted response.

Asset Impasse: The Discovery and Initial Reaction

The visual resemblance between *No Man's Sky's* base teleport module and a premium cosmetic item available in *Once Human* was first brought to light by vigilant Reddit users. These keen-eyed fans observed that, apart from a few minor alterations—namely an added exercise bike and a fresh coat of paint—the two in-game objects appeared nearly identical. The observation quickly escalated, drawing wider attention after users on X (formerly Twitter) publicly queried Hello Games regarding the alleged asset repurposing.

Sean Murray's Unconcerned Take: "The Joke's On Them"

Responding directly to the online buzz on December 2, 2025, Hello Games' chief, Sean Murray, addressed the uncanny resemblance with an amused and understated tone. Far from expressing concern, Murray quipped, "jokes on them - we forgot to LOD those rivets 😅." He revealed a subtle technical detail: the Hello Games team had intentionally omitted certain rivets from the base teleport module's model when viewed from a distance, a common optimization technique known as Level of Detail (LOD) adjustment. Murray's candid admission suggests a lack of distress over the situation, framing it more as an ironic oversight.

Broader Context and No Man's Sky's Continued Ascendancy

This isn't the first time *Once Human* developer Starry Studio has faced allegations of borrowing assets, with a fan on X pointing to previous instances. However, for Hello Games, the focus remains firmly on the continued evolution and immense success of *No Man's Sky*. The team is currently riding a significant wave of popularity thanks to the "Voyagers" update, which introduced highly customizable Corvette-style starships and propelled the game to achieve its highest player count since its initial launch. Earlier in 2025, *No Man's Sky* also expanded its reach with a port to the Nintendo Switch 2 and rolled out the "Beacon" update, empowering players to become Overseers of planetary settlements and introducing unique towns inhabited by sentient Autophage robots. While the *Once Human* cosmetic has created a minor stir, *No Man's Sky* continues its expansive journey, seemingly unfazed.