How to Play Multiplayer in Grounded

Obsidian's survival game Grounded is best enjoyed with friends. Here's how to play multiplayer.

Grounded sees four kids shrunken down to the size of an ant thanks to an experiment gone wrong. The player chooses to control one of the four protagonists (Max, Willow, Pete or Hoops) and must survive in the backyard, which becomes a hostile wilderness from such a tiny perspective. Manage hunger and thirst, gather resources, and build bases, all while trying to uncover the mystery of how you got there and how to return to normal size.

Players can tackle the adventure solo or band together with up to three others. Certain things like resource gathering and taking on the world's host of deadly bugs is a lot more manageable with a team.

How to Play Multiplayer/Co-Op in Grounded

In order to initiate the game's multiplayer/co-op modes, you'll need to begin at the main menu and select the multiplayer option. You'll then be given two choices: join an online game or host your own.

Selecting to join an online game will take you to a page that'll show all of your friends worlds that are available to join.

Selecting to host an online game will enable you to start a new game or continue one from a previous save. Only your friends can see the game and be able to join it. You can also add a password.

When starting a new game, you'll have the option to create either a standard or a shared world. A standard world is connected to your Xbox Network account and means that no one can access it if you're offline. Saves are also tied to your account only. Shared world saves are kept online, and anyone you give access to can host the world.

Players can check out Grounded on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC. The game is also available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.