# StarRupture Multiplayer Guide (/docs/starrupture/multiplayer-guide)



StarRupture supports co-op multiplayer for up to 4 players on a dedicated server. This guide covers everything you need to know about playing with friends.

Multiplayer Options [#multiplayer-options]

StarRupture offers two ways to play multiplayer:

| Method               | Description                        | Pros                                            | Cons                                   |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| **Dedicated Server** | A standalone server that runs 24/7 | Always online, better performance, full control | Requires hosting                       |
| **Peer-to-Peer**     | One player hosts directly          | Free, easy to set up                            | Host must be online, worse performance |

A dedicated server is the recommended way to play with friends, especially for longer sessions and persistent worlds.

Setting Up Multiplayer [#setting-up-multiplayer]

<div className="fd-steps">
  <div className="fd-step">
    Get a Dedicated Server [#1-get-a-dedicated-server]

    Sign up for a StarRupture server at [xgamingserver.com](https://xgamingserver.com). Your server will be ready in minutes.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Set a Password [#2-set-a-password]

    Protect your server so only your friends can join. Go to `Startup` → `Basic` → `Server Password` in the XGamingServer Panel. See our [password guide](/docs/starrupture/server-password).
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Share Your Server Details [#3-share-your-server-details]

    Share your server IP address and password with your friends. You can find the IP in the panel sidebar.
  </div>

  <div className="fd-step">
    Connect Together [#4-connect-together]

    Each player opens StarRupture, selects **Join Game** → **Dedicated Server**, enters the IP and password, and clicks **Connect**.
  </div>
</div>

Playing Together [#playing-together]

Shared World [#shared-world]

All players share the same world. Bases, items, and progress are saved on the server. Players can:

* Build factories and bases collaboratively
* Share resources and inventory
* Explore different areas of the map simultaneously

Session Persistence [#session-persistence]

Your world persists on the server even when all players disconnect. When you reconnect, everything is exactly where you left it.

Player Limit [#player-limit]

The official co-op limit is **4 players**. While it's technically possible to set `MaxPlayers` higher in the [server configuration](/docs/starrupture/server-configuration), anything above 4 is experimental and may cause lag, desync, or crashes.

Multiplayer Tips [#multiplayer-tips]

* **Coordinate building** — Assign different factory sections to different players to avoid overlapping machines
* **Use auto-save** — The server auto-saves every 5 minutes by default. You can adjust this in the [DSSettings.txt](/docs/starrupture/dssettings-configuration)
* **Restart daily** — Schedule automatic restarts via `Schedules` in the sidebar for better server performance
* **Back up regularly** — Use the `Backups` feature before making major changes to your world

> 💡 **Tip:** If a player experiences connection issues, check our [troubleshooting guide](/docs/starrupture/troubleshooting) and [ports and firewall guide](/docs/starrupture/server-ports-firewall).