No Man's Sky: VR Game Questions & Answers - SteamAH (2023)

This is the first version of the VR gameplay guide. I decided to put this here because the forum thread it was based on keeps disappearing from the list and I see the same questions keep popping up.

First of all, this is just a cut and paste of the main post. When I have time, I'll review it and reformat parts of it.

1. How to Swim: Use your jump jets and point your right hand where you want to go. Once you reach the desired depth, move normally. (Rift-S)

2. How to use the Exocraft Mining Beam/Cannon: In Rift-S there doesn't seem to be a controller binding to enable this. Press G on your physical keyboard, then "A" on your controller. The beam fires wherever you look (Rift-S)

*Note: Pressing a key on the keyboard robs your controller of focus. The headset tracks the controllers' position, but virtually nothing else, and you can't steer the vehicle. To fix this, open the game menu (Y on Rift-S) and press the right trigger anywhere in the menu to refocus the game on the controller and close the menu. At this point it should work normally. As far as I can see, every keystroke on the keyboard will do this.

Power contributed the following to the Rift CV-1. I can confirm this does NOT work on my Rift-S:

"in rift, not risf s, you press a direction on the left stick, up or down or left or right (not in my vr at the moment and found it a bit by accident) to change the fire mode. works for laser mining and weapon selection on the exos and ship.”

3. Search Tool: Once the module is installed in your multitool, activate the scan mode. From there, use "A" on the controller to toggle between Scan and Survey (Rift-S). An additional note: the search tool only recognizes a nearby resource. You cannot change mode to try to discover a specific feature. If you can't find the feature you're looking for, walk away from her until she sees something else.

4. How to steer while using jump jets: Steering is controlled by where your right hand is pointing. (Rift-S)

5. Loading modules using quick menu: In Rift, there is no right or left scrolling feature to access quick menu items. However, if you click on an item on the edge of the menu it will be selected, the left trigger will return you to the menu and center it again, taking you to items not visible initially. (Rift-S)

6. To reset your POV: Press in both thumbs and hold for a moment. This is useful if you like to sit and stand alternately and your view is captured in an awkward place (e.g. sideways in the cab of a vehicle). This is just for the Rift. I don't know of any other system.
As a note, this also triggers a scan. A little silly, but it doesn't hurt.

7. How to Fire the Blaze Javelin: You can't. Well, you can, but the workaround for this isn't really feasible. My testing shows that the fire button is not linked to the Rift controller. It is still tied to the left mouse button. It works... it loads and fires, but I can only do it with the left mouse button. Keybind Fix would fix this.

8. How to climb a ladder: This is quite problematic at the moment. When it works correctly, use the pull gesture to use the ladder. I don't think it's an issue with or without power as I've seen an error in both conditions. Also, be warned, if you have a multi-segment ladder in a vertical underwater tube, using the pull gesture will bring a segment of your ladder up, trapping you behind the ladder and glass tube. Cleaning the stairs is the only way out.

9. How do I chat in VR?: Probably not for everyone, but the keyboard works. At least on the Rift. I simply place the keyboard on my lap, hit enter, and start typing. Of course, if you'd rather stay still while playing, this isn't practical. It also probably helps to know how to type without looking at the keyboard. But it works.

10. How do I rename things in VR?: Apparently you can't do this currently. "Rename and upload" doesn't seem to do anything. No text fields or ability to edit current text. Also, there doesn't even seem to be an option to rename your base.

TommyFresh shared that he could rename his base. I can't duplicate, but perhaps others will be luckier:

"with crack

The name was in the top left corner of the screen when you opened it, click Rtrigger (or A I don't remember) on it and it should clear the text box. Then I just typed it on the keyboard and it entered. Like I said, it was buggy and I had to do it a few times. My friend also had the same problem and managed to rename his base after trying again.”

11. Using HOTAS: Currently there doesn't seem to be any HOTAS support. If anyone managed to get this to work, please share.

12. How to Rebind Keys: This is another thing that doesn't seem possible right now. The Rebind Keys menu does not work in Flat or VR. If anyone finds a workaround, please share.

(Dr. Reed has a workaround for this, I've copied his method below)

13. My screen darkens at the edges when I move: This is VR motion vignette. Your attitude is not obvious. Go to the menu and select "Control Options". Turn off vignette VR and the blackout will disappear.

14. Using the Analysis Visor: Place your left hand near the left side of your headset and hold (on the Rift). You are now in analysis mode and your multitool will automatically deploy in your right hand. Aim and "shoot" to scan flora, fauna and minerals. To highlight (to navigate to) an object in the default view, point to it and hold the trigger. The menu tip tells you to press "X" to set a custom marker, but that doesn't seem to be working at the moment. In scan mode, if you have the survey module installed, you can press “A” (Rift) to switch to survey mode and search for hotspots. People interviewed will tell you which access point is closest, providing the distance and some Wi-Fi-looking flashing bars for guidance. Follow them and when you reach the hotspot it will scan you and give you details. Once this is done, the access point will appear as a POI if you have activated search mode. I haven't tested it, but I believe you can select and highlight it like any other POI, so you don't have to travel with search mode turned on.

15. How to use photo mode in VR: This doesn't seem to be working right now. At least I can't find a way. If anyone knows let me know and I'll add it here.

BigEdge contributed this tip. No photo mode, but there is a screenshot function:

"Take a screenshot of Steam in VR...

Press and hold left menu button + left trigger
Works with HTC and Oculus"

*Note that this is the actual menu button on the controller, not the "Open Main Menu" button (which is "Y" on the Rift)

16. Perform a quick scan without having to use the Analysis Viewfinder: left thumb click (Rift-S)

A few more additions: thanks Ryuujin

* Ship weapon selection is left thumbs up (index)

* You really don't need your left hand on the throttle to fire the afterburners or boost if you want to rest your arm after adjusting the throttle.

Addendum: Thanks Bubba Fett

The direction you point your left hand also controls your movement.
If you push the analog stick forward to move, but your left hand is on the head where you activate the aim, you will move backwards. (How to control your movement on PSVR without analog sticks)

(Added by Dr. Reed)

Touch controls can be retrieved by editing the TOUCH.JSON file with Notepad++

The file is located in the No Man's Sky/Gamedata/Input folder

Example: I changed the right trigger fire button to the left X button.

[Von]

{
"Appetizer": {
"clique": {
„Ausgabe“ : „/actions/onfootcontrols/in/fire“
}
},
"Mode": "Trigger",
„Pfad“ : „/user/hand/right/input/trigger“
},

[ For ]

{
"Appetizer"