With Steam Frame Looming, No Man's Sky Adds PC VR Eye-Tracked Foveated Rendering

No Man’s Sky has added support for eye-tracked foveated rendering on SteamVR with its latest Cosmos update, providing a performance boost for PC VR players ahead of the release of Valve’s upcoming Steam Frame headset that supports eye tracking.

Deep within the patch notes for the Cosmos update, Hello Games revealed the addition of support for foveated rendering on PC VR platforms. This technology uses eye-tracking data to concentrate rendering resources at the center of the player’s vision, sharpening details where the eye is focused while reducing detail in peripheral vision, thus improving performance.

This feature was previously added to the PlayStation VR2 version of No Man’s Sky in August 2023, where it notably enhanced visual clarity and reduced blurriness reported by players. The update’s timing appears strategic, given the upcoming launch of Valve’s Steam Frame, a headset expected to feature integrated eye-tracking support and potentially a significant user base.

Despite the relatively small share of eye-tracking headsets in the SteamVR ecosystem—such as the PlayStation VR2 and Quest Pro—this update positions No Man’s Sky to be among the first major titles to leverage eye-tracking technology on PC VR, which could influence adoption rates once Steam Frame becomes widely available. The game’s demanding procedural generation and high-resolution rendering remain challenging, often requiring hardware upgrades and graphics compromises for smooth VR gameplay, even with recent PC upgrades.

Impact of Foveated Rendering on PC VR Performance

This update is significant because it enhances performance and visual fidelity for PC VR users, especially as the Steam Frame headset approaches. By utilizing eye-tracking data, foveated rendering can make demanding games like No Man’s Sky more playable on a broader range of hardware, potentially expanding VR adoption. It also signals a shift toward more sophisticated rendering techniques that optimize resource use based on where players are looking, which can improve immersion and reduce hardware strain.

While the exact performance gains for PC VR players remain unconfirmed, the technology’s prior success on PSVR2 suggests it could lead to a noticeable difference in visual clarity and frame rates, making VR experiences more accessible and enjoyable.

Background of Eye-Tracking in VR and ‘s VR Updates

Eye-tracking technology has been present in several VR headsets for years, including the Meta Quest Pro, Pimax Crystal, and Vive Focus Vision. However, adoption among SteamVR users remains limited, with the PlayStation VR2 holding a small but notable share of the market. No Man’s Sky first integrated foveated rendering on PSVR2 in August 2023, addressing player complaints about blurry visuals and improving overall image quality. The game’s demanding procedural generation and high-resolution rendering requirements have historically challenged VR performance, often necessitating hardware compromises.

With the upcoming Steam Frame headset, expected to support eye-tracking natively, developers see an opportunity to optimize VR experiences further. The recent update’s inclusion of eye-tracked foveated rendering on PC VR indicates Hello Games’ interest in leveraging this technology to improve performance and visual fidelity, potentially setting a precedent for other titles.

“The addition of eye-tracked foveated rendering on PC VR is a step toward making No Man’s Sky more accessible and visually impressive for players with high-end and emerging headsets.”

— an anonymous source from Hello Games

Unconfirmed Performance Gains and User Experience Impact

It is not yet clear how much the eye-tracked foveated rendering will improve performance for No Man’s Sky on PC VR. While prior implementations on PSVR2 showed noticeable visual improvements, the extent of benefits on diverse PC hardware remains unverified. Additionally, whether this update will significantly influence VR adoption once the Steam Frame launches is still uncertain, given the limited current user base of eye-tracking headsets on SteamVR.

Next Steps for VR Integration and Player Testing

Players and developers can expect to see further performance and visual quality improvements as the technology matures and more headsets with eye-tracking support enter the market. Hello Games may continue refining the foveated rendering implementation, while Valve’s Steam Frame launch will likely bring a surge of new users testing eye-tracking features. Monitoring community feedback and performance metrics will be crucial in assessing the full impact of this update.

Key Questions

Will the eye-tracked foveated rendering significantly improve gameplay in No Man’s Sky?

While it is expected to enhance visual clarity and performance, the exact impact on gameplay experience remains to be confirmed through user testing on various hardware setups.

Is this update available on all PC VR headsets?

No, support is limited to headsets compatible with SteamVR that have eye-tracking capabilities. The feature was added through a software update and requires compatible hardware.

Will the performance boost be noticeable on lower-end PCs?

The degree of performance improvement depends on the hardware configuration. Higher-end PCs are more likely to see significant benefits, but lower-end systems may still experience some gains.

Does this mean more VR titles will adopt eye-tracking foveated rendering?

It is possible, especially as more headsets with eye-tracking become available, and developers recognize the benefits of optimizing rendering resources based on gaze data.

Source: UploadVR