Easiest way to play local co-op?

[chris.h1978]

I'm looking to play this game with my son. As I understand it there is no spilt-screen, and Steam and Microsoft versions will not co-op. Is this still true?

If so am I correct in thinking I have to either, buy two copies from the Microsoft Store, or set up a second Steam account (just for this game!). Also to play (on PC's) multiplayer will I need two xBox gold accounts?

Many thanks in advance to anyone who can answer this for me.

[Quark]

I don't know but i dont think you need any xbox accounts at all for the steam version. You will probably need two pcs and two copies on steam, then you need to join his game or vice versa using the friend thing.

[chris.h1978]

Thanks Quark, I was expecting to have to buy two copies and have 2 PCs, but was hoping not to have to mess around with setting up and switching accounts for the sake of one game; logging out, then logging in on a second account then logging back in again so I can play other games (I'm just lazy I guess!) And the xbox gold accounts part of the query was with respect to buying on microsoft store rather than Steam if I wanted to avoid the janky steam account switch nonsense :)

[Harmburger]

hi chris, found this on a google search. You could either set up your son a steam account and buy the game on it for him. you can then set up library sharing with your account, so he can play any of your games(while you're not 'using' the library). if both accounts own astroneer you can both play it at once.

if you buy it on the microsoft store, any online multiplayer on PC is free. xbox live gold is only for consoles. there's crossplay compatible between the xbox version and the microsoft store pc version, but not steam and microsoft or steam and xbox.

[IveGotRoot]

In a recent patch there was an update enabling crossplay between windows store edition and xbox. No steam x windows though 😞