No Man's Sky has been through its fair share of bumps after it launched in 2016. But Hello Games has continued to support the game with numerous updates — most recently a spooky scary update featuring derelict freighters and new base add-ons. The game will also be getting an overhaul in tandem with the Xbox Series X and PS5 launches.
Though the lore of the game is spread sparsely throughout its world, the galaxy is rich with history. Players can unlock alien words, decrypt ancient monoliths, and learn the history of the different in-game species as they explore. One such species, known as the Gek, harbor a particularly bloody and foreboding past.
What can players unearth about the history of the Gek in No Man's Sky?
10 The Gek Love Trading
Fans of Star Trek might liken the Gek to the obstinate, but trade-happy Ferengi. However, the Gek care a bit more about their branding as a species than the Ferengi do. But this commitment to being overly friendly doesn't obscure their true intentions. Gek are always willing to trade.
Given their mercantile culture, many Gek work in and find joy in trading. In order to gain reputation with the species, players can talk with them about trade, trade with them, or run missions that often include transporting, retrieving, or stealing goods.
9 They're... Smelly
They're a bit of a scent-based species in that the Gek oftentimes communicate using smells. That's why, whenever players engage a Gek in conversation, part of the dialogue always includes information about the kinds of scents they are effusing.
Humans also use scent as do many animals in terms of marking or for cooking. But these aromas are tone or mood-setting and largely used for communication. Some even use certain foods, such as Gek Nip, to produce specific smells and express different emotions.
8 Gek Young Grow Collectively And Could Have Been Eaten
Name one fact most people know about Spartan history: babies deemed weak were tossed off a cliff to die. The Gek Dominion had a very similar approach to their young (known as "Porwigles") whom they considered not up to snuff. Some fans have suggested that the Gek went so far as to consume spawn they found inferior.
Drawing further inspiration from real-world amphibians, Hello Games made it so that Gek spawn collectively in "spawning syrup." Both this procreation process and the eating of the young have roots in nature.
7 First Spawn vs. Low Spawn
The Gek players see currently in NMS are not the first iteration of the Gek to exist in the galaxy. In fact, the first Gek are known as the "First Spawn" — a bloodthirsty, zealous, and selfish race. Players can find more information about this problematic time in Gek history using alien monoliths.
Very quickly, gamers will discover just how awful the First Spawn of the Gek Dominion was to other species, but even to members of their own species. Known as "Low Spawn," these are the Geks that players see currently. The modern Gek also had Korvax input that augmented the genetic code of the species.
Though not as responsible for the crimes of the First Spawn, these Gek still have to dig their way out of that exceedingly deep trench of morally reprehensible actions.
6 The Gek Are Natives Of Balaron
The water-rich system of Balaron birthed the Gek and it is their home near the center of the galaxy. Though sporting beaks, the Gek are considered to be an amphibious species and may belong to the fauna genus Mogara. However, it does seem as if there are wild creatures who resemble the Gek with a few changes.
Some fans consider these to be a divergence of the evolutionary path of the Gek. Despite the seemingly large pool of animals that resemble the Gek, the theory that they are relatives of the Gek remains unproven.
5 The Culture Operates On A Series Of Titles
Some cultures like the Qunari in Dragon Age use titles to convey cultural status or jobs. Players will recognize titles such as "Navigator", "ToilGek," and "Overseer" as such examples. In fact, there are 17 total titles any Gek can have based on their standing in the cultural hierarchy.
But these titles extend to Traveller entities, as well. As a player accrues reputation with the Gek, their titles will change and improve. The highest ranks Travellers can achieve with the Gek are "Partner" and "Trade Lord."
4 The Gek Harvested Korvax For Nanites And Scrap
The Korvax are known for their scientific culture and robotic nature. But they also practiced neutrality in war times. Under the leadership of the First Spawn, the Gek Dominion saw an opportunity with this mechanical race. Which is to say that the Gek committed genocide in the name of monetary gain and imperial control.
On top of enslaving some Korvax, the First Spawn also maybe blew up Korvax Prime. Not only did this kill many Korvax, but it also severed their hive mind known as the Convergence. The First Spawn then melted down the bodies of dead Korvax for wartime scraps to add insult to genocide.
3 The Korvax Changed Gek DNA
After the whole blowing up their home planet, players can imagine how displeased the Korvax were with the Gek Dominion. Despite being enslaved, the remaining Korvax found a way to try and put an end to the First Spawn's tyranny.
During their war with the Vy'Keen, some Korvax made a Hail Mary play and poured their nanite clusters (a.k.a. Korvax blood) into Gek spawning pools. This changed the very genetic code of the Gek in an attempt to humble the species.
This may explain why generations that came after the First Spawn began to dissent from their orders. As the ultimate result of the changes to Gek DNA, the First Spawn was defeated and the Gek (as players know them) came into being.
2 There Was A War Between The Gek, The Vy'Keen, And The Sentinels
In a move right out of the Mass Effect universe, the Atlas oversaw the development of different species until three remained. Of course, this included the Vy'Keen, Korvax, and Gek. But the Sentinels were deployed to keep the peace, enforce laws, and protect the Atlas. Then the Sentinels got a bit too stringent and the Vy'Keen saw these limitations as affronts to their earned power.
The Vy'Keen Alliance launched an all-out war against the Sentinels until the Sentinels seemingly disappeared. Having not aided the Vy'Keen, the Gek struck after the Vy'Keen had been exhausted by the previous war.
The Gek Dominion, led by the First Spawn, exploited everything until the Sentinels returned and reclaimed ultimate control over the whole galaxy.
1 Geks Can't Wear The Gek Helmet
This unfortunately true point of trivia has disappointed many Gek fans all over the NMS Reddit as of late. IT relates to a series of special helmets available only via Quicksilver. Players obtain this currency by completing special missions from The Nexus located on the player common area known as the Anomaly.
There is a Korvax-themed helmet, as well as a Gek specific helmet. The Gek helmet also relates to the First Spawn — a very significant part of NMS lore. However, since the other species do not technically wear helmets, only Anomaly Travellers can partake in the glorious visage the First Spawn Battle Mask imparts.
Many fans hope that Hello Games will release a patch for this soon.