How To Play Subnautica With Friends

Subnautica is a game about survival on a distant planet covered by the ocean. One of the coolest things about the game is its story. You start off shipwrecked on this unknown planet, and your goal is to survive and explore the ocean full of all sorts of dangerous sea creatures. Fans really love the game, but one of the biggest downsides is that officially, Subnautica has no multiplayer. Luckily, the fan community stepped in and created mods, so now you can team up with friends and tackle survival together, making the experience a lot less lonely.

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Is Subnautica Multiplayer?

Officially, Subnautica is not multiplayer — it’s meant to be a single-player experience. Even though many fans have been hoping for a multiplayer option, the developers said they’d have to start from scratch with the engine to make it happen. Luckily, the awesome Subnautica fan community stepped in and created a multiplayer mod, so players can now team up.

How Does It Work?

Users install a Nitrox mod, which connects to dedicated servers and allows gamers to play Subnautica co-op. The host can create a game session for up to 100 players, but it is still recommended to connect no more than five players.

Note:

The Subnautica multiplayer mod is still in development, so players may encounter bugs that affect the gaming experience. The Nitrox mod is open source, and the developers have an official Nitrox Discord channel, where you can contact them in case of any issues or suggestions. 

Between Which Platforms Is It Available?

Nitrox is currently PC-only and compatible with Steam and Epic Games Store. Console users cannot play the mod and are fated to wander lonely on the planet.

How To Play Multiplayer Mod In Subnautica

In order to play Subnautica together, users need to download the Nitrox modification and install it by following the instructions. The player who will be the host will need to configure and run the Subnautica multiplayer server, providing the IP address to friends so that they can connect. Thus, players will be able to complete Subnautica in a co-op, which is impossible to do in the original game without this modification.

How To Install Nitrox Multiplayer Mod For Subnautica

First of all, players need to understand that currently, the Nitrox mod only works with the base game of Subnautica. The support for Subnautica Below Zero multiplayer is planned, but will not be released until the current Nitrox version is stable.

To install Nitrox mod in Subnautica, you need to follow these steps.

• Extract the archive to an empty folder.
• Run NitroxLauncher.exe.
• In Settings, specify/check the correct path to the game.
• The host should run the server in the Server menu (you should have the 11000 UDP port open).
• Run Play Multiplayer in the Play Game menu.
• Connect to the server.

Subnautica Local Co-op and Split Screen

With another mod, Nucleus-Coop, players can activate local co-op in Subnautica and play together on one device. To activate this feature, follow these steps:

• Install and configure the Nitrox mod as described in the previous step.
• Download Nucleus-Coop.
• Unzip the NucleusApp.zip and run.
• In the running Nucleus-Coop application, click the Download Game Handler tab.
• Find the executable file subnautica.exe.
• Go back to Nucleus Coop and add input devices (it is best to use two controllers).
• Press Play, and a popup window called Process Picker will open. Do not select anything yet.
• Press Play Multiplayer from the Nitrox Launcher.
• Once you have started a game, click Subnautica in the Process Picker popup. Do NOT click NitroxServer-Subnautica; it should only be called Subnautica.
• From the Nitrox Launcher, press Play Multiplayer again to start another instance of the game.
• Join the same server as Player 1.
• Once in the game, press Subnautica from the second Process Picker.
• Now, the split-screen windows should have adjusted correctly, and the controllers should work.

Multiplayer Features

The Nitrox mod offers a full Subnautica co-op experience and expands the game’s functionality, namely:

• A full-fledged in-game chat function, which will be especially convenient when you and your friends are exploring biomes in different parts of the map.
• The game world fully reacts to the fact that there are several players. Any manipulations, as well as changes to objects and buildings in different parts of the map, are saved even when the players are at a significant distance from each other.
• Players can jointly build any buildings, and the Cyclops submarine recognizes several players.

Although the Nitrox mod for Subnautica multiplayer fully implements the experience of playing together, it is still in the development stage, so be prepared to encounter various bugs.

Related:

Is Subnautica 2 Multiplayer? Co-Op Mode On 4 Players

Gameplay Tips For Multiplayer

After installing Nitrox and playing Subnautica multiplayer with my friends, I have prepared some tips to help you guys better explore the depths of the world.

• Choose the game server located as close to you as possible to ensure a smooth and comfortable multiplayer experience without lag.
• Increase the base FOV of the game to 90 – a wider view will help your team find items more easily and see predators that think you’re their food.
• When playing with friends, share the responsibilities. You no longer have to search and cook food alone, research new recipes, collect resources, recharge batteries, build a base, and so on. Together, you can explore the world more effectively.
• At the beginning of the game, you will have a constant shortage of food and fresh water. Before exploring different biomes, your team should build a temporary base.
• Until you can craft an ultra-high capacity tank, you will constantly have an acute shortage of oxygen. Instead of using one tank, create two of them and use them in turn. Do not forget to recharge both. It will take a little time to get used to, but it will slightly increase the valuable time underwater for you and your friends. 
• Since the modification may cause various bugs, save often to avoid losing progress.

Looking For A Subnautica Team? Try GameTree

Ready for some underwater fun? Connect with other Subnautica fans on GameTree to play this fantastic game in multiplayer mode! Thanks to our smart AI matchmaking and filters, you’ll find others who dig the same stuff you do and already have the Nitrox mod or are ready to install it. Meet fellow Subnautica fans, swap opinions, and set up gaming sessions with as many teammates as you like!

Final Thoughts

The Nitrox modification turns single-player survival in Subnautica into an enjoyable joint underwater adventure. Even with a few minor bugs, it’s pretty amazing how much work the fan community has put into making the game feel fresh with Subnautica multiplayer. In addition, it makes the adventure a little less scary for people with sea phobia.  In this article, I’ve shared a simple step-by-step guide to install the mod and added some tips for having a great time together. Don’t forget to save your world often and have fun in Subnautica together!