We independently assess all our recommendations. Purchases through our links may earn us a commission.
While RimWorld is technically a single-player game, you can easily play with your friends using the RimWorld Multiplayer mod available for download online or on the Steam Workshop. The mod is quite simple to use and easy to install, but you should know that it can be problematic occasionally since the game was designed to be played with just a single player. Regardless, here’s a quick and easy guide on how to play RimWorld with your friends.
Understanding the Limitations of RimWorld Multiplayer
Before you embark on a new journey with your friends, you need to keep a few things in mind. First, if you want to play with DLC, everyone will need to have it installed. Otherwise, it won’t work. Also, any mods you want to use might not be compatible with the multiplayer mod.
Luckily, there is a list of mods that are compatible that you can use to decide which mods to install. Both players should have just those mods enabled to avoid any complications or crashes. In general, you’ll get the best experience if you stick with vanilla RimWorld and opt to forgo any mods. Mods can result in desyncs or crashes, so it’s best to just stay away from them.
Also, you should remember that the more friends you have playing together, the clunkier it’s going to be. You’re better off playing with one or two friends, especially if you’re trying to micromanage the same colony. It can get kind of annoying trying to control a pawn that four or five other people are jockeying for.
How to Play With Friends in RimWorld
Now that you know what to expect when it comes to multiplayer RimWorld, let’s dive in and figure out how to make this work. It’s actually quite simple, and you’ll just need to install two mods: RimWorld Multiplayer and Harmony.
RimWorld Multiplayer is the mod we discussed at the beginning of this guide, while Harmony is a mod library that a lot of different mods require. You probably already have it installed if you’re a fan of modding RimWorld. Here’s a step-by-step guide to installing and preparing everything you need to play RimWorld with friends.
- Have RimWorld installed
- Download the multiplayer mod from either the official website or through the Steam Workshop
- Download the Harmony mod from either the official website or through the Steam Workshop
- Launch RimWorld and head on over to the modding menu
- Activate the Multiplayer and Harmony mods, making sure that Harmony is first in the mod load order, then Core, then the multiplayer mod
And that’s it. Now you should be ready to start playing with your friends. Whoever is hosting the lobby should start a single-player game and choose whatever scenario and pawns everyone has agreed on. Next, you’ll want to hit the ‘Escape Key’ and click to host a multiplayer game. You’ll be given the option to either host it via LAN, Direct, or through Steam.
LAN is if you are both on the same network, which is unlikely. Direct requires a little more setup than you’ll probably like to do, so the only real option here is Steam. Unless you’re playing on another platform or downloaded RimWorld from somewhere else, Steam is the best option.
The host should then invite players to their game and accept them once they’re ready to join by heading to the menu in the top right corner of the screen. Your friends should be in your game and ready to tackle the space frontier that is RimWorld.
