No Man's Sky's "Singularity" update dramatically expands the universe with billions of new stars, planets, and moons within newly generated galaxies. It introduces a new narrative focused on robotic consciousness and the mysteries of the Atlas, along with new robotic companions, enhanced visuals featuring improved lighting and shadows, revamped trading posts and settlements, and a streamlined inventory system. Players can now construct their own robotic bases and explore abandoned derelict freighters. The update also adds new starship technologies and expanded lore related to the game's overarching narrative.
SciPhi, a YC W24 startup, is seeking a Founding AI Research Engineer to build the "copilot for science." This role involves developing AI models for scientific discovery, potentially including tasks like designing experiments, analyzing data, and generating scientific text. Ideal candidates possess strong machine learning expertise, experience with large language models, and a passion for scientific advancement. This is a full-time, remote position offering significant equity and the opportunity to shape the future of scientific research.
HN commenters discuss SciPhi's job posting, expressing skepticism about the extremely broad required skillset, from AI research to frontend and backend development, devops, and even UI/UX design. Some speculate this signals a pre-seed stage startup looking for a "Swiss Army Knife" engineer to handle everything, which could be appealing to some but off-putting to specialists. Others question the feasibility of one person possessing such a diverse range of expertise at a high level. There's also debate on the appropriateness of requesting research publications for such a role and whether the compensation is competitive, given the demands. Several commenters highlight the high bar set by the requirements and the potential for burnout, while others see it as a great opportunity for a generalist to have a significant impact on a new company. The lack of specific research areas mentioned also draws some criticism, with commenters desiring more clarity on SciPhi's focus.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42868618
Hacker News commenters generally expressed cautious optimism and some cynicism towards No Man's Sky's "Fractal" update. Several users highlighted the game's history of overpromising and underdelivering at launch, questioning whether this update would genuinely offer substantial new content or simply be another visually impressive but shallow addition. Some praised the developers' perseverance and ongoing support for the game, acknowledging its significant improvements since release. Others debated the technical feasibility and meaningfulness of generating "billions" of planets, with some suggesting it's primarily a marketing tactic. A few users expressed excitement about the prospect of exploring new, more varied planetary environments and the potential for enhanced gameplay. There was also discussion about procedural generation techniques and the limitations inherent in creating truly unique experiences within such a vast, procedurally generated universe.
The Hacker News post discussing the No Man's Sky update titled "No Man's Sky's update introduces billions of new stars, planets, and more" has generated several comments, mostly expressing positive sentiment towards the game's ongoing development and the scale of the new "Fractal" update.
Several commenters praise Hello Games, the developers, for their persistence and commitment to improving and expanding No Man's Sky since its controversial launch. One comment highlights the impressive turnaround the game has made, going from a source of disappointment to a highly-regarded example of a developer listening to and acting on player feedback. This sentiment is echoed by others who commend the "redemption arc" of the game.
A few comments dive into the technical aspects of the update, with one user questioning the feasibility of adding "billions" of new stars and planets, speculating about procedural generation and its limitations. Another comment responds by explaining that the update utilizes a new method of generating terrain, allowing for more varied and interesting planets, rather than simply increasing the raw number of celestial bodies. This discussion touches on the balance between scale and meaningful content.
Another recurring theme is the scale of the game itself, with users expressing awe at the vastness of the procedurally generated universe and the seemingly endless possibilities for exploration. Some comments reflect a sense of wonder and a desire to revisit the game or start playing for the first time, sparked by the update's promise of a richer and more diverse experience.
Some users humorously acknowledge the overwhelming scale, pointing out the absurdity of exploring even a small fraction of the game's universe. One comment jokes about the sheer number of planets still awaiting discovery even after extensive playtime.
There's also a discussion about the effectiveness of the game's marketing, with one user suggesting that the update is not receiving enough attention. Another user counters by highlighting the regular stream of positive coverage No Man's Sky receives, suggesting the marketing strategy is working well within the game's niche.
Overall, the comments reflect a largely positive reception to the update, praising Hello Games' dedication, the expanded scope of the game, and the sense of wonder it evokes. There's also a healthy dose of realistic commentary about the limitations of procedural generation and the sheer scale of the game world.