Experience Multiplayer in Subnautica
Subnautica is an incredible game that offers a unique and immersive underwater exploration experience. While it was designed to be a solo adventure, some players may prefer to dive into the depths with a friend. Although the Steam store page states that Subnautica is intended for single-player only, there is a workaround for those using Steam. In this guide, I will show you how to unlock multiplayer in Subnautica.
Step 1: Downgrade Subnautica on Steam
If you want to play Subnautica in multiplayer mode, you need to first downgrade the game to the Legacy version on Steam. To do this, locate Subnautica in your Steam library, right-click on it, and select ‘Properties.’ Next, go to the ‘Betas’ tab, click the arrow in the top right corner, and choose ‘legacy – Public legacy builds’ from the drop-down menu. Keep in mind that this may not be necessary in the future, but it is currently the most reliable method to avoid any potential issues with updates.
Step 2: Download and Extract Nitrox
Download Nitrox, a mod tool that enables multiplayer functionality in Subnautica. Nitrox comes in a ZIP file, but be aware that it may trigger antivirus alerts. As with any third-party software, I recommend conducting your own research to ensure its safety and suitability for your needs. Once you have the file, unzip it using a program like 7Zip. For convenience, I suggest creating a new folder called ‘Nitrox’ and extracting the files there.
Step 3: Run Nitrox as Administrator
After extracting Nitrox, you can run the ‘Nitrox Launcher.’ To avoid any potential issues, it is important to run the launcher as an administrator. Simply right-click on the launcher and select ‘Run as Administrator’ from the drop-down menu. Once Nitrox is launched, either you or the person you are playing with will need to start a server by selecting ‘Server’ and then ‘Start Server’ within Nitrox.
Step 4: Create Your Server
Once the server is up and running, you will notice a new ‘Multiplayer’ option in Subnautica. Select ‘Multiplayer’ and then ‘Add Server.’ This will bring up a box where you can enter a name for your server. However, the crucial step is port forwarding, which requires you to forward the specific port displayed in the image above on your router. It is worth noting that only the player who starts the server needs to complete this step. Additionally, the color options in this menu allow you to customize your tag’s appearance in multiplayer.
Step 5: Enjoy Playing Subnautica Together
To play Subnautica with a friend, they will need to go through the same process outlined above. Once they are in the game, they should select ‘Multiplayer,’ and a server box will appear. To join your server, they must enter your IP address in the ‘Host’ box. The server owner can find the IP address in the server window that opens when the server is started in Nitrox.
Please Note:
- Multiplayer is limited to a maximum of two players.
- Below Zero does not currently support multiplayer, but this may change in the future.
- Minor bugs may be encountered, although the game is mostly playable.
Nitrox is still in its early stages of development, but stability improvements are made with each patch. While Below Zero doesn’t offer multiplayer yet, it is still highly recommended for Subnautica enthusiasts. For more information, you can check out our detailed review.