Revision 1

Overview

Multiplayer in Rooted supports 1 to 6 players in online cooperative play. The system uses drop-in/drop-out connectivity, allowing players to join or leave sessions without disrupting the game for others. VOIP (voice over IP) provides in-game voice communication, and friendly fire is optional and configurable by the host. Solo play is fully supported, including an offline mode for players who prefer to play without an internet connection.

Co-op features

Cooperative gameplay

The 6-player co-op capacity distinguishes Rooted from many survival games that limit cooperative play to 4 players. Larger groups can divide responsibilities more effectively, with some players focusing on base building and defense while others handle scavenging expeditions into contaminated zones. The drop-in/drop-out system means group composition can shift throughout a session without requiring restarts or save management.

In-game VOIP eliminates the need for third-party voice applications, keeping communication within the game itself. This is particularly useful for the kind of tactical coordination that exploring contaminated downtown areas or engaging ROTOR robots demands, where callouts and warnings need to happen in real time.

Server infrastructure

The current alpha uses player-hosted servers, where one player's machine acts as the host for the session. Dedicated servers are planned for the Early Access release, which will improve connection stability, reduce host advantage, and allow servers to remain active even when the hosting player is offline.

The transition from player-hosted to dedicated servers represents a significant infrastructure upgrade that will affect session persistence, allowing bases and world states to persist between play sessions without requiring the original host to be present.

PvP

Player-versus-player combat is planned as a post-release feature. The current development focus is entirely on cooperative PvE gameplay. When PvP is eventually introduced, it will exist as a separate mode or option, not integrated into the core cooperative experience. This approach ensures that players who prefer purely cooperative play are not affected by PvP mechanics.

Steam Workshop

Steam Workshop support is planned for Rooted, which will allow community-created content such as mods, custom maps, and other modifications. This feature is part of the longer-term roadmap rather than a launch priority, but its inclusion signals an intention to support community-driven content creation and sharing.

Solo play

Rooted is designed to be fully playable as a solo experience. All game systems, including crafting, base building, combat, and exploration, function in single-player mode. The offline capability means solo players do not need an internet connection to play, removing a common friction point in survival games that require always-online connectivity. Enemy encounters and difficulty are designed to be manageable for solo players, though group play naturally provides advantages in combat and resource gathering.