Count the host as one of the eight players
| Your group | What it means |
|---|---|
| One person | Solo play is available |
| Two to seven people | A group below the session cap |
| Eight people | A full session: one host and seven others |
| Nine people | Exceeds the eight-player limit for one session |
The status row along the top shows a full group of eight Critters.
The eight-player limit describes online cooperative play. It should not be read as a promise that eight controllers can share one PC, or that players on unannounced console versions can join.
Use the current cap when arranging a group
Early descriptions used a four-player limit. The launch setup increased the session size to eight, so older references to one player plus three friends no longer describe the maximum.
Arrange your Steam invitations around the current total. If eight people are already in the session, an additional friend would take the group beyond the cap; choose who is playing together before beginning the run.
A larger group still needs coordination
More teammates can search more of the factory, but they also need to find their way back and communicate. Voice becomes harder to hear as players move apart, so agree on when to regroup before everyone heads down a different corridor.
The maximum is an option, not a recommended minimum. Choose the number of people you can organize, and remember that solo availability does not mean the game is balanced around one player. Its main survival loop is built around cooperation.
Related guides
Sources and version notes
Prepared from research collected on October 22, 2026. Early Access rules and availability can change. Launch information takes precedence over older beta instructions. These official links provide current product information and updates; they do not verify every gameplay tip.