QUICK ANSWER
The current Steam release is single-player. The latest official FAQ says this game will receive multiplayer where each player commands a NEST, while a separate same-platform co-op project is planned for late 2027 or early 2028.
Operator briefing
Three different claims are often mixed together: the current released game, announced future multiplayer for this game, and a separate co-op project. They are not the same product state.
Use the procedure below as a decision sequence, not as a substitute for the live mission order. Random coordinates, balance values, and mod compatibility can change; stable facts and version-sensitive evidence are labelled separately.
Field procedure
- 01
Check the Steam feature list for what is playable now; it currently shows Single-player.
- 02
Read the dated official FAQ for announced development plans.
- 03
Distinguish future multi-NEST multiplayer from the planned separate same-platform co-op experience.
- 04
Treat community mods as unofficial and version-sensitive.
- 05
Recheck this page after major patches because status can change faster than evergreen guides.
Checks before you commit
- Older pre-release answers said the first game would remain single-player.
- The newer official FAQ supersedes that plan but does not provide a multiplayer release date.
- An announcement is not the same as a currently available feature.
When the live game conflicts with this page, keep the live observation, game build, and source date. That evidence becomes the next revision instead of being silently forced into an old answer.
Sources and evidence
Sources are included for verification, not copied as site content. Official pages establish product facts; community and video sources document tested workflows.