Players can build and defend Settlements in the No Man's Sky Frontiers update by becoming Overseer of the alien NPC villagers. The No Man's Sky Frontiers update allows players to make decisions for villagers that ultimately determine the fate of their Settlement. While each settlement is auto-generated, the Overseer can authorize the development of new structures to defend the NPC villagers from Sentinel attacks.
To become an Overseer in the No Man's Sky Frontiers update, players can head into space to receive an emergency broadcast transmission. This broadcast comes from an NPC who shares that their settlement is about to be overrun by Sentinels and they're in desperate need of assistance. Players will need to open the Galaxy Map, fly to the system, and speak with the settler. Sentinels will attack shortly afterward, and, once they're defeated, the Settlement Hub Interface will offer an Overseer application. Players can apply to become the Overseer and start making decisions for that Settlement, or decline and seek a new Settlement on a more ideal planet.
The first step after becoming Overseer is to build the Overseer's Office. This is where all decisions will take place, including the authorization of new buildings for the settlement. As Overseer, players can authorize new businesses and sources of revenue for the Settlement, and over time, the Settlement will make money fast. Overseers monitor the citizens' happiness from the Overseer's Office and make decisions accordingly. For example, settling a dispute between two citizens may result in positive feedback, or it could be detrimental to their happiness. Crafting facilities for leisure, like Saloons, will also impact their happiness.
How to Protect Settlements in No Man's Sky
Some decisions Overseers will have to make may put the lives of the settlers in danger. This includes decisions to authorize various expeditions, which the NPCs will request to conduct. They may want to conduct these expeditions to search for more food, materials, or salvageable resources from crashed ships. While it's completely out of the Overseer's control, it's possible that expeditions will fail and settlers will lose their lives. Players should carefully consider the risks and rewards when authorizing expeditions.
Sentinels will attack the Settlement, and it's up to the Overseer to protect it. Similar to fighting other Sentinels in parts of No Man's Sky, Sentinels that attack the village can be defeated with the Multi-Tool, the Minotaur, or a ship. The settlers cannot die from friendly fire, but the Settlement can still be damaged by certain weapons. Additionally, while the first Sentinel encounter only has the smaller enemies, the giant mechs will periodically attack the Settlement as well.
No Man's Sky is available on the PlayStation 4 and 5, the Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, Android, and Microsoft Windows.