Sons of the Forest Multiplayer Co-Op Guide

Sons of the Forest supports up to 8 players in online co-op, letting you build, fight, and survive together on the island. You can join friends through the in-game menu, host a dedicated server, or use Steam invites. This guide covers how co-op works, how to set it up, what carries over, and common problems players run into.

How Co-Op Works in Sons of the Forest

Co-op is available from the start. The host creates a world and can set it to Friends Only or Invite Only. Other players join through the Steam friends list or the game’s join menu. There is no split-screen; every player needs their own copy of the game and a PC or console with online access. Crossplay works between PC (Steam) and consoles (PlayStation and Xbox) as of the 1.0 release. All players share the same world, inventory, and building structures. The host’s save file is the world state; if the host is offline, others cannot play in that world unless a dedicated server is used.

Setting Up a Co-Op Game

To start, launch the game and select New Game or Continue. In the multiplayer menu, choose Host Online. You can set a password and decide whether friends can join anytime or only when you invite them. For joining, open the in-game menu, select Join, and pick a friend from the list or enter an IP address for a dedicated server. Steam invites work too: right-click a friend and select Invite to Game.

For a dedicated server (so the world runs even when you are offline), you can use the dedicated server tool available on Steam. It is a separate free download. You configure it with a config file that sets the server name, password, and max players. The server runs on a PC or a rented hosting service, but the game itself does not provide official hosting.

Choosing Who Hosts and Max Players

Up to 8 players can be in one world. The host’s PC handles the game simulation and networking, so a stable connection and decent CPU matter. If the host has a weak connection, other players will see lag or rubber-banding. For a smooth experience, the host should have upload speeds of at least 5 Mbps, and ideally 10+ Mbps for 8 players. Players on the same local network can join via LAN, which reduces latency.

If you plan to play with strangers, use a password to keep the world private. The game does not have matchmaking; you must know the people you play with or find them on community forums.

Progression and Shared World

All players share the same world state: buildings, cut trees, looted containers, and story progress. The host’s save file is the only one that matters. If a player joins a world, they keep their own character inventory (items in their backpack) when they leave, but items dropped on the ground stay in that world. Story items like the shovel or maintenance key are shared; once one player picks them up, they are available to all in that world.

When the host saves and quits, the world saves. Other players are disconnected. There is no persistent world unless you run a dedicated server. If the host crashes, progress since the last save is lost. It is a good idea to save regularly (the game autosaves, but manual saves are safer before big events).

Common Co-Op Problems and Fixes

• Can’t join a friend’s game: Check that both have the same game version, that the host has port forwarding enabled (default port 8766 for Steam, 27015 for dedicated servers), and that the firewall allows the game. Try using Steam invite instead of the join list.
• Lag or desync: The host’s upload speed is usually the bottleneck. Reduce max players, or have the host move closer to the router. Avoid hosting on Wi-Fi if possible.
• Dedicated server not showing up: Make sure the server’s config file has the correct port and that the server is on the same Steam account that owns the game. Check that the server is not behind a strict NAT.
• Players get disconnected randomly: This often happens when the host’s connection drops. For dedicated servers, check the server’s RAM and CPU usage; the game can use 4-6 GB per server.
• Can’t see friend’s building: This is a known bug where structures don’t sync. Reloading the save or having the host rebuild the piece usually fixes it.

Dedicated Server vs. Hosting from Your PC

Hosting from your PC is simplest: you play and host at the same time. The downside is that the world only runs while you are in it. A dedicated server runs 24/7, so friends can play even when you are offline. It also reduces lag because the server is separate from the host’s game client. However, setting one up requires a separate PC or a rented server, and you need to configure port forwarding and the config file. For most groups of 2-4, hosting from a PC is fine. For 6-8 players or persistent worlds, a dedicated server is better.

Safety and Etiquette in Co-Op

There is no built-in voice chat in Sons of the Forest; players use Discord or other third-party voice. Be aware of friendly fire: you can damage teammates, so communicate during combat. Also, buildings can be destroyed by other players, so set permissions if you want to prevent griefing. The game does not have a formal permission system, but you can restrict building to the host only by not giving build privileges (there is no such option, but you can ask players not to build). For public servers, always set a password to avoid strangers joining and destroying your base.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play co-op with different story progress? No. All players share the same world and story state. If you join a friend’s world, you play their story, not your own. Your single-player progress is separate.

Do I need PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold for co-op? Yes, on consoles you need the respective online subscription (PlayStation Plus for PS4/PS5, Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate for Xbox). On PC, no extra subscription is needed beyond owning the game.

Can I transfer my single-player save to co-op? No. Your single-player save is separate. You can start a new co-op world or join a friend’s world, but you cannot merge saves.

What happens if the host quits? If the host leaves, the game pauses for about 30 seconds and then ends the session. All players are returned to the main menu. The world saves, so you can rejoin when the host returns. On a dedicated server, the world continues.

Is there crossplay between Steam and Epic Games? Sons of the Forest is only on Steam and consoles. There is no Epic Games version. Crossplay works between Steam and consoles, but not between different storefronts on PC.

How do I fix a desynced inventory? Desync can cause items to appear missing. Have the player drop an item and pick it up again, or restart the game. If it persists, the host should save and reload the world.

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