Hello Games director Sean Murray has revealed that fans have not seen more of the studio's upcoming fantasy RPG, Light No Fire, because the team is currently enjoying its development process and is not yet ready to fully reveal its ambitious scope. The game was initially revealed at The Game Awards in 2023, presenting a departure from No Man's Sky's sci-fi exploration to a planet-simulation-focused fantasy RPG. However, since its initial trailer, details and further gameplay showcases have been scarce.
Murray explained in a recent interview that the original plan was to offer more substantial updates sooner. "I had a plan of like, ‘OK, we’ll do this. We’ll tease it,’" he said. "And then I was like, ‘OK, and now I know what we’ll show next. We’ll really explain the game.'" He had intended to provide a deeper dive into gameplay mechanics approximately six months after the initial reveal, but the game has been absent from subsequent major gaming events.
According to Murray, the decision to hold back on marketing was partly influenced by the game's reception on platforms like Steam. "We’ve shot up the Steam wishlist charts; we're like number two on there. And I was just like, ‘OK, that’s enough. You know, we don’t need to say any more. Why? Why do any marketing?" he stated. This contrasts with the early days of No Man's Sky, where Murray was highly visible in marketing efforts. Reflecting on that period, he described it as "madness" and admitted to cringing at his past promotional activities.
In the decade since No Man's Sky's launch, Hello Games has transformed the title into a celebrated example of post-launch support and redemption. Murray no longer feels the need for extensive public appearances to generate excitement, as a simple social media post can now spark widespread speculation among fans.
Murray confirmed he plays Light No Fire daily and that the game's underlying technology is frequently integrated into No Man's Sky updates. While he declined to provide a release window or even an internal target date, he indicated that the development team, which numbers around 50 employees, has been prepared to share more about the game for some time. "I don’t think people realize just how ambitious it is and how crazy it is," Murray shared. "And I look forward to people finding that out and to showing them. But I’m very happy right now just working on it in my own little cave and not having to worry about anything, trying to pretend the outside world doesn’t exist right now."