'No Man's Sky' news: Developers cleared of false advertising allegations; new update allows players to share hidden messages

After being investigated for allegedly using misleading ads for "No Man's Sky," Hello Games has been finally cleared by U.K.-based ads watchdog Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

According to reports, the ASA began an investigation into how the game was advertised on Steam after receiving 23 complaints about some specific features that were believed to be missing or inconsistent with what was featured in the ads for the game.

In the report filed by the ASA, general complaints from players include inconsistencies and issues with user interface and aiming systems, missing structures, large-scale battles, spaceships and sentinel behavior, animal behavior, graphics quality, the speed of galaxy warping, loading screens, trade convoys, and factions vying for territory. Months after the probe, ASA released the results that said the makers of "No Man's Sky" did not have any violations and has been cleared of the allegations.

"We understood that the screenshots and videos in the ad had been created using game footage, and acknowledged that in doing this the advertisers would aim to show the product in the best light," according to the investigation findings on the ASA website. "Taking into account the above points, we considered that the overall impression of the ad was consistent with gameplay and the footage provided, both in terms of that captured by Hello Games and by third parties, and that it did not exaggerate the expected player experience of the game. We therefore concluded that the ad did not breach the Code," it added.

On another note, one of the features included in the game's massive Foundation update is the ability to write notes in stars that other players could discover. Many have reportedly sent words into the abyss, but only a few players were lucky enough to find them. Kotaku reports that one of the first documented messages comes from a user named Mikefamey, who posted the word "Boo." For players hoping to see messages from others, the user suggests they go to the center where the chances of finding people are higher.

Published by Hello Games and Sony Interactive Entertainment, "No Man's Sky" is available for PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Windows.