NoMansSky:Game Structure

Game Structure

List of the available game files

 

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Game Files

Once unpacked, the PCBANKS .PAK files reveal an organized tree of folders and files. Below we provide a replica of this structure with descriptions for the folders. Descriptions for files are available on there individual pages:

root

• List of GLOBAL Files

AUDIO

• WEM format : encoded audio files
• Voice Reference Table - A list of all the exosuit voice files with their WEM IDs.

BANKS_INTERMEDIATE

No known use

FONTS

• FNT files : text files storing char maps to extract them from the .DDS canvas
• DDS files : Textures storing fonts as images

INPUT

• JSON files : text files storing devices input mappings
• ACTIONS.JSON Reference file

LANGUAGE

• LANGUAGE Files : store all the strings, texts and dialogs of the game

MATERIALS

• MATERIAL Files : generic game materials.

METADATA

• Game database

MODELS

• SCENE.MBIN Files - similar to a prefab and holds information about in-game objects all the way from models, behaviors to audio, particle effects and more.
• ENTITY.MBIN Files - the MBIN that defines interactions and behaviors of objects.
  • TkPhysicsComponentData - Models Physical properties
• DESCRIPTOR.MBIN Files - handle the nested hierarchies of procedural generation in-game
  • Allowed Game Components in ENTITY Files
  • Properties allowed within the ENTITY file
  • Actions and Triggers
  • SimpleInteraction and Interaction Types
  • Reward trigger types and Reward item IDs
• GEOMETRY.MBIN Files - store the 3D models
• LSYSTEM.MBIN Files - Rules controling NPC buildings procedural generation
• MATERIAL.MBIN Files - define the texture maps and shader flags to be used
• ANIM.MBIN files - Animation files
  • Animation Curves

MUSIC

• XML files : text files controlling music samples

PIPELINES

• BIN files : text files controlling shaders branching

PLAYTOGETHER

Unknown

PROMO

• old game promotional files

SCENES

• Trailer and demonstration static files

SHADERS

• BIN files : shaders initialization text files
• SPV files : Vulkan fragmented shader files

TEXTURES

• CACHE.SQS : Texture caching file for quick texture adressing. Stores header and footer of most used textures

TPFSDICT

• Encrypted profanity words you can't use in NMS

UI

• MBIN files : describes all the components and parts of the game GUI
• TTF files : Standard TrueType Fonts used in game menus and interfaces

Configuration Files

These files are storing main game configuration settings and are located directly in the No Man's Sky/Binaries/SETTINGS folder.
Note that these are basicaly .txt files so they can be edited with any text editor.

Here is the list of the available files :

GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML : These are main game settings and unlocked products and items as seen in the catalog

TKGAMESETTINGS.MXML : Your custom key mapping if you have set some

TKGRAPHICSSETTINGS.MXML : Game Graphical settings plus a few extra more.

Template:Alert small

HDR

.cube files : HDR LUT calibration files (These are simple .txt files too)

Save Files

No Man's Sky save files are stored in recluded folders.

• Individual save files

Here is an example showing where you can find it if your operating system is on your C: drive :

C:/Users/YourUserName/AppData/Roaming/HelloGames/NMS/st_76561198016365084

Just 2 notes about this path : YouUserName is your user name on your computer and the final folder is unique so yours will be different

Save files are in .hg format which is obvioulsy an Hello Games proprietary format but some save editors can read and edit these files.

 

• Shared catalog discoveries

Be also aware that NMS stores all the item discovered in your catalog during any game save in a separated file.

This file is located in :

Steam\steamapps\common\No Man's Sky\Binaries\SETTINGS\GCUSERSETTINGSDATA.MXML

So if you want to fully save your progression, it's important to also save this file.