Stardew Valley: Play multiplayer in co-op and split screen

 With the new update 1.5 from Stardew Valley, we not only have numerous new features such as Ginger Island, but also a completely new split-screen mode. In this guide, we'll tell you how to play multiplayer in co-op and split-screen, and what to watch out for.

Those of you who like to play with your friends will be particularly interested in the multiplayer mode of Stardew Valley. In total, you can play together with up to three other players to realize the farm of your dreams. While one of you is the host, the others live in a small hut on the host's farm. (Hosts)

The player who started the game and is therefore the host owns the save file. He can start the multiplayer at any time. Crossplay only exists between GOG and Steam. Console or mobile players cannot join.

So you play in co-op mode in Stardew Valley

If you want to play in co-op mode in Stardew Valley, you will find the corresponding button in the start menu. If you click on it, you have the following options:

• Host new farm
• Join a new farm (your host must be active and have a free hut for you)
• Join an existing farm (the host must be active for this)
• Join LAN game (enter the host's IP address)
• Enter the invitation code (the host generates the code and gives it to other players)

Special features of the multiplayer

Even if the co-op mode does not differ essentially from the single player, there are some special features that every player has to pay attention to.

Everyone has their own hut

There are up to three huts in total on the farm. You can either add them later or start a new farm together. If you choose multiplayer from the start, you don't have to order the huts from Robin afterwards. If you decide to add it later, one costs 100 gold, which is quite affordable. It is also an instant build, so you can get started with your friends right away. As a host, however, you can also decide to destroy a hut. As a consequence, the corresponding player is also kicked out of the active game.

It is also possible to improve Robin's hut. You can commission the improvement yourself. Only the final extension with a basement is not possible. While the layout is generally identical to the host's upgraded farmhouse, the fireplace replaces a dresser. The inventory of the respective player can be found in this dresser when he is offline. This dresser cannot be moved.

This is how the gameplay changes in multiplayer

By and large, in co-op there are decisions that must be made together. This includes, among other things:

• Go to sleep: The game does not ring in the night until all players have gone to sleep or when it is 2:00 am and the last player has collapsed from tiredness.
• The beginning of a festival: By entering the area
• Whether you create the community center or acquire the Joja membership
• If you want to pause the game, you have to use the / pause command in chat

Furthermore, the following mechanics must be observed:

• All players use the host's farmland
• You can choose to share your gold supply or pay it to a joint account. If you separate this, you can transfer money to other players by entering it in a book in the mayor's house. There you can also switch to a common supply.
• Each player has their own energy bar, friendships with NPCs and skills that you can strengthen by leveling up. It is advisable to appoint specialists here.
• The NPC can only be married to one player. Yes, you can't all marry Shane. But you can also marry one another and have children. You can also dance together at the Flower Dance Festival.

To make the gaming experience more difficult, you can freely choose the profit margin . This means that instead of 100% profit you can only earn 25%, for example, so that your income is lower. This can raise the game to a new level of difficulty, especially at the beginning. While, for example, seeds, bundles of grass, zuccer, wheat flour and rice are price-adjusted in Pierre's shop and Joja-Markt, the goods at the blacksmith's, Willy's and building improvements cost the same.

This is how you get experience in co-op mode

Compared to a shared bank account, each player has their own experience to develop their skills. In the following you will find out which actions you get and how experience

• Agriculture: If you harvest or interact with animals, you get experience. You don't get any for watering and planting.
• Mining: Whoever hits the last stroke with the pickaxe gets the experience. Even if you place a bomb, you get the experience for the respective destroyed rocks. So it's worth it.
• Forestry / collecting: whoever collects gets the experience. You will also gain experience by chopping a tree, stump or tree trunk. The same applies here: Whoever hits the last blow gets everything.
• Fishing: You gain experience when you catch fish and empty crab baskets. Whoever you place or bait doesn't get any.
• Combat: Whoever kills the monster and thus carries out the last blow, gets the experience.

Play Stardew Valley in split-screen mode

To play split screen, you should first pay Robin a visit to build a hut for your teammate. If you have selected multiplayer as the mode and started a new farm, you can already have it and don't have to build it. As soon as you have one or more, you can now open the game menu, choose multiplayer and local co-op. If you want to start the mode now, you have to connect another controller and then press start. Once all players have joined the game, you can adjust the zoom level and the interface in the game menu.