Multiplayer

Windrose supports cooperative multiplayer for up to 4 players. The game is fully playable solo offline, and co-op is entirely optional. There is no PvP in the current design. The multiplayer system uses private, persistent worlds rather than shared public servers.

Server Options

Developer "Leo" confirmed on Steam: "When Early Access launches, the game will support dedicated servers." The Early Access launch is planned for 2026.

How to Join a Game

Three methods exist for joining co-op sessions:

1. Invite Code: The host selects "Host a Game," creates or selects a world, and receives a unique invite code. An optional password can be set. Friends go to Play > "Connect to Server" and enter the invite code (and password if set).

2. Steam Overlay Invite: The host presses Shift+Tab, finds the friend, right-clicks, and selects "Invite to Play." The friend accepts the Steam invite.

3. Recent List: Players can select recently played lobbies from the "Recent" list below the invite code input.

There is no public server browser. The system is invite-based.

Third-Party Hosting Providers

Multiple hosting companies have prepared Windrose server hosting pages for when dedicated server software is released:

Most providers are preparing pages in advance. Dedicated server software has not yet been released publicly and is expected with the Early Access launch.

Demo Connectivity Issues

The Steam Next Fest demo experienced connectivity problems that the developers acknowledged:

Identified workarounds:

• DNS blocking: The game connects to a "windrose.support" domain. NextDNS and other DNS filtering services blocked this domain. Allowing it or switching to Google DNS (8.8.8.8) fixed the issue for many players.

• Firewall: Temporarily disabling firewalls to prompt Windows to request network access, then re-enabling

• Password: Both invite code AND password (if set) are needed to join

• Tutorial first: Some reports suggest completing the tutorial in offline mode before attempting multiplayer

Sea Shanties

NPC crew members sing sea shanties while sailing, a feature widely praised by the community. PC Gamer's reviewer stated the "boisterous sea shanties my crew sings keep me coming back for more." The Steam store description confirms: "When the cannons go silent, claim your spoils and share a sea shanty with your crew as you sail onward." Known songs include "Drunken Sailor," "British Tars," "Sail the Raging Sea," and "Rolling Home" (the studio's first official sea shanty single). Shanties are performed by NPC crew, not player characters.

Private Worlds

Each co-op group plays in a private, persistent world. There are no random strangers sailing into your territory. Worlds persist on the host's machine between sessions and can be resumed from the world list. When the host is offline, other players cannot access that world.

SaveSync Workaround

SaveSync (a separate Steam tool) added Windrose Demo support, allowing players to synchronize save files so any crew member can host the next session. The tool distributes the latest save automatically after each session. Windrose does not natively support transferring world saves between players.

Character Transfer

Players can use a single character across multiple worlds. Character progress (levels, talents, recipes) carries over between different procedurally generated worlds. Players can also create new characters for each lobby via the "Change Character" option. Demo progress does NOT carry over to Early Access.

Co-op Gameplay

Playing with friends opens up role specialization. Groups can coordinate so that one person focuses on base building while others handle exploration and combat. In naval combat, each player currently commands their own ship. Dungeon runs with a full party allow tank-and-damage role splits that solo players cannot access.

Quest progression in co-op: when starting together simultaneously, shared quest credit applies automatically. Players joining an already-in-progress session must catch up on quests independently. A configurable "shared quest progression" setting is available when creating a world.

Demo Limitations

• Self-hosted co-op only; no dedicated servers

• Demo progress does not carry over to Early Access

• Each player operates their own ship; no shared crew roles on a single ship

• Players cannot perform actions on each other's ships (no manning cannons or repairing a friend's ship)

• Some co-op building bugs requiring game restarts were reported

• Connectivity issues as described above

No PvP

Windrose is strictly PvE. PvP was removed when the game pivoted from its original Crosswind MMO design. The developers stated: "Windrose will move forward as a classic survival game with PvE co-op at its core, rather than an MMO-lite survival, focusing on exploration, adventure, treasure hunting and having a good time with friends rather than power struggle and PvP." The developers remain open to exploring PvP in the future but have no commitments at this point.

Developer Plans

The developers have indicated several multiplayer improvements for the future:

Mod Support

Official mod support is planned for the future but will not be available at Early Access launch. The game is built on Unreal Engine 5, and the community has already begun creating mods using the default UE5 pak format. Existing community mods for the demo include an intro skipper, player speed adjustments, stamina modifications, and camera tweaks.