How to: Multiplayer (online and local)

[Octofox Community Cat]

How to: Find random players

You can play with random players via quick play (start > online > quick play). If there is an open room in your region, you will automatically join as a client. If not, you will automatically open a new room as a host in your region. Always check the in-game region before playing, choosing your current region will give you the best possible connection.
If you're looking for new people to play with, join our Discord. Don't forget to mention your region so people can find you immediately.

How to: Online multiplayer via code

You can create a new room (start > create) and share the code on the left with others. With the code they can find the room (start > join > insert code). Always remember to check the in-game region before playing, if you aren’t in the same region, you can’t find the room (option > network > region). If you choose "auto", the game will find the best region around you. So if you and your friends select "auto", you may not end up in the same region.

I can’t find my friends' lobby when playing in multiplayer

In order to be able to play with your friend, you need to change your in-game region to the same region (go to Option > Network > Region).

How do I get the most consistent connection?

Playing Wild Woods online is working via peer-to-peer connection.
This means that once people are connected via Photon servers, the game host becomes the server. During the game, everyone connects and communicates with the host. If you’re interested in the technology behind the system you can visit Photon Engine[doc.photonengine.com].
If you experience lag during the game, we recommend that you try to switch the host to the person with the best internet connection. The further away your friends are, the worse your potential connection will be. Changing the region to match your friends (even if it's not your actual region) can increase lag problems.
In that case, the clients will see the biggest problems (e.g. lagging, rubber banding), and the host may have a smooth game experience.

How to: Local multiplayer

If you have enough controller, Wild Woods works like any other couch co-op game (start > local). One person could also join with the keyboard.

[Major Gnuisance]

Please consider implementing a free (or very modestly priced) client-only build that allows you to join your friends' sessions without purchasing the full game.

If free, it could also double as a demo by allowing users to try the game locally in a limited fashion.

On one hand, this could result in some lost sales from people who were already willing to buy multiple copies to be able to play together online and instead choose to save a buck by only buying one copy, but on the other hand it would make the game more enticing for people unsure if they can get their friends to buy it as well.

It would also add a viral factor to the game, where (hypothetical players) Alice buys the game, invites Bob to play together (for free), then Bob likes the game and buys it so he can invite Charlie to play, and so on.

To make it more enticing to buy, you can make some stuff exclusive for players with a full copy in the customization and permanent progression departments.

[Major Gnuisance]

TL;DR: please add a free client that serves as an alternative to Steam's Remote Play Together feature.

It's great that Remote Play Together exists, but it's not always the best solution, for various reasons.