How to play Saints Row 2 online in 2023, and probably 2024 [Fixing Openspy]

You want to play SR2 online? You've come to the right place.

Important

This guide has merged with my other guide, Saints Row 2: The Purgatory Guide. If you want the definitive SR2 experience, check it out.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3148058457

Introduction

A couple months ago while I was trying to play Co-op with a friend, I noticed that Openspy wasn't working anymore. I could see their game, but I couldn't connect to it. This went for everyone else I tried playing with, until I decided to bite the bullet and install Radmin VPN. Recently, I tried playing with a friend again, but we had issues while using Radmin. Eventually I said screw it, and did some research in the Openspy discord server. To my surprise, I found a solution.

Fixing Co-op/Openspy

IMPORTANT: For this to work, you must use a modded executable. This one adds Openspy compatibility and doubles the amount of virtual memory the game can use, which is required if you are using DXVK. It can be found here[drive.google.com] or here.[mega.nz]

1. Download Openspy from Here[github.com].
   
2. Extract and open the zip file. (I personally use 7-Zip, but the Windows built in "Extract All" tool should work fine.)
   
3. Take "openspy.x86.dll" and throw it into your Saints Row 2 folder, then rename it to "dinput8.dll".
   
4. Boot up Saints Row 2, go to Co-op, online, and select create account.
   
5. Create an openspy account, make sure the email address ends with "@openspy.net".
   
6. Once you've made it, log in. (The game will save your info, you will just need to log in when you want to play Co-op/Multiplayer)

If all goes well, you should be logged in.

Conclusion

Congratulations! Openspy is now up and running, you should be able to create and join games now. I tested Co-op with a friend and it worked great. Shoutout to user kebabstorm for making a much more detailed guide in the Openspy discord server. If you have any problems, I recommend going to the Openspy discord server for help, they know more about this ♥♥♥♥ than I ever will.

[BlankSilver]

Everyone here is an easy fix if it crashes: go to the downloaded Folder start the game with administrator then it works

[MichaelDId9/11]

this s*** dont work either

[Dr Zormalman]

having issues as of 2025

[KLacaZ117]

I'm having trouble joining or creating games, if i try to join a game my game crashes before it finishes loading, and if i try to create a game i get stuck in a loading screen that says "Waiting player".

[Kashi]

works as of December 2024! don't know why people are saying this method gives a login error when it never did that for me and my friend

[Wenda]

login error

[Sieter]

hey, I keep getting a white screen on startup. What can I do to change that so I'm able to get into the game?

[ACE DOG 47]

I keep getting login error

[don cheadle]

respect+ me and my friend are having a blast on co op

[Soaksignal]

updated