Ambition can run deep in space games; frequently, developers want to create these big, expansive universes players can explore. However, a few space game launches have gone so wrong that they attain infamy within gaming lore. Be it due to technical disasters or gameplay shortcomings, and several space games have stumbled right out of the gate. We will review some of the worst space game launches and lessons learned from their failures.
No Man’s Sky: All Hype, Little Excitement
When No Man’s Sky launched back in 2016, expectations were huge. Marketed as a game-changing space exploration title where there was almost an endless universe to explore, players simply could not wait to dive into what sounded like a dream. Unfortunately, the reality did not measure up. Those who dove into this type of release immediately suffered from several problems with frame drops, crashes, and other performance-related glitches. Far worse, however, was the lack of any of the promised features, including the multiplayer.
The biggest problem with No Man’s Sky is that it failed to live up to many of the grand promises from its developers. Dynamic worlds, seamless exploration, and a general ability to come upon other players say the least, flat on many of these fronts. The backlash was intense to the point where months went silent from the development team themselves. Thankfully, No Man’s Sky eventually righted the ship with a number of updates, but the initial launch serves as a cautionary tale of over-promising for developers.
Microtransactions: The Battlefront II Meltdown
It’s not strictly a game of space exploration, though significant elements of Star Wars Battlefront II include space combat. It is also infamous for its terrible launch back in 2017. Fans who had been eager to engage themselves once more in a Star Wars game were introduced to a pay-to-win system that favored significantly those willing to part with extra money on microtransactions. This has, in turn, brought on a fast and furious backlash by players and media alike, creating one massive public relations disaster for both EA and the developers.
The gameplay mechanics themselves were sound, but they’d been buried in a thick layer of controversy. Star Wars Battlefront II featured some of the most beautifully rendered space battles around and great gameplay-but unfortunately irreparably damaged by its monetization model. This pay-to-win system was so egregious that even Disney itself weighed in, prompting EA to pull back many of the microtransactions just days after launch.
Instead of catering to player experience, it zeroed in on aggressive revenue models that quickly alienated its fanbase. Subsequent updates would rectify the game for the most part, but its launch continues to be one of the worst representations of microtransactions gone wrong.
Elite Dangerous: Odyssey – Expanding the Universe, Shrinking Performance
Elite Dangerous has long been a beloved space simulation game, giving players the freedom to explore a massive, realistic galaxy. However, its Odyssey expansion in 2021 was a major misstep. Players were excited about the expansion, which promised planetary exploration and first-person combat. Unfortunately, the launch of Odyssey was riddled with bugs, crashes, and serious performance issues that made the game nearly unplayable for many.
The expansion’s planetary environments were criticized for being dull and poorly optimized. The reality was that Elite Dangerous: Odyssey was simply not ready for launch. Rushing out the expansion without proper optimization and testing led to severe technical problems, frustrating loyal players and damaging the game’s reputation.
X Rebirth: A Space Game Disaster
Released in 2013, X Rebirth was supposed to be the next big thing in the X space simulation series. However, what players got was a buggy, incomplete game that was universally panned for its poor design and numerous technical issues. Bugs and glitches were rampant, with players reporting that the game crashed frequently, missions were broken, and performance was abysmal. Beyond the technical problems, X Rebirth suffered from poor gameplay design choices.
What Went Wrong
X Rebirth was released in an unfinished state, and its attempt to simplify gameplay alienated the series’ core audience. It’s a classic example of a game being pushed out the door before it was truly ready.
Conclusion: Lessons from the Worst Space Game Launches
The worst space game launches all share common themes: over-promising, under-delivering, technical problems, and poor monetization strategies. Whether it’s a lack of features (No Man’s Sky), greedy microtransactions (Star Wars Battlefront II), or severe performance issues (Elite Dangerous: Odyssey), these games failed to meet expectations and suffered as a result.
The key takeaway for developers is to manage expectations, prioritize player experience, and ensure that their games are polished before release. Space games, with their vast, ambitious worlds, can offer some of the most exciting experiences in gaming—but only if they launch in a playable, enjoyable state.