How to Set Up Multiplayer in Grounded 2 – Shared Worlds, Crossplay & Progress Guide

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Grounded 2 takes backyard survival to a new level—but the real fun begins when you shrink down with friends. Whether you're planning a long-term shared base or just want to jump into a bug-squashing session with your crew, setting up multiplayer correctly is essential. From cross-platform play to persistent shared worlds, this guide covers every step to make your co-op experience smooth and synced.

Let’s break down how multiplayer works in Grounded 2, what “shared worlds” really mean, and how to enable crossplay for Xbox and PC (with possible future support for PlayStation or Switch).

๐ŸŽฎ 1. Start Multiplayer: Hosting or Joining

  • From the main menu, select Multiplayer → then Host Online Game or Join Online Game.

  • You can use a new save or continue an old one.

  • Hosts can invite friends directly via Xbox Live (Microsoft account) or Steam.

  • Use session passwords for privacy or keep the lobby open for drop-ins.

๐Ÿ’ก Tip: Don’t forget to ensure everyone is online on the same platform or has crossplay enabled (see below).

๐ŸŒ 2. Shared World vs Standard World – What’s the Difference?

How to Set Up Multiplayer in Grounded 2 - Guide
Standard World:

  • Only the original host can access, save, and continue the game.

  • Friends must wait for the host to come online to keep playing.

Shared World:

  • Cloud-hosted save that can be played by anyone you grant hosting access to—even if you’re offline.

  • Great for ongoing group campaigns and long-term builds.

  • Requires each player to sign in with a Microsoft account for sync access.

๐Ÿ—จ️ From Reddit:
“Shared worlds let you keep playing without the main host. You just need the right permissions.”
— u/GreenAntHill on r/GroundedGame

๐Ÿ”„ 3. Enable Crossplay & Microsoft Account Login

To play with friends across platforms (Steam, Xbox, PC Game Pass), you must:

  • Go to Settings → Enable Crossplay

  • Sign in with or link your Microsoft/Xbox account

  • Add friends using your Xbox/Microsoft contacts or invite them via code.

⚠️ Important: Even on Steam or future platforms, Shared Worlds only work with a Microsoft account linked.
More on this from the Obsidian FAQ.

๐Ÿ‘ฅ 4. Share Your World with Friends (and Let Them Host)

Once your shared world is created:

  • Open the in-game pause menu → Player List

  • Select “Share With Friends”

  • Grant Host Access to anyone you want to continue the world

๐Ÿง  Best practice: Give host access to at least one backup player so they can continue if you're offline.

๐Ÿ’พ 5. Progression, Saves, and Cross-Platform Sync

  • Your character inventory and story progress stay with your save file.

  • Shared Worlds save to the cloud and can be resumed from any platform tied to your Microsoft account.

  • Cross-progression lets you swap between Xbox and PC freely if you're logged into the same account.

๐Ÿ“Œ Example: Start a base on Xbox, then pick up where you left off on PC Game Pass with no progress lost.

✅ Best Setup Tips for Seamless Co-op

  • Choose Shared Worlds for long-term group play.

  • Use Standard Worlds for quick, host-only sessions.

  • Always enable crossplay and link Microsoft accounts at setup.

  • Invite others via the Microsoft friend list, not just Steam.

  • Don’t forget to grant host access in Shared Worlds so others can play without you.

๐Ÿค Community Support & Related Articles

Need help troubleshooting crossplay or Shared World bugs? These community links are full of solutions and active players ready to assist:

๐Ÿงช Final Thoughts

Grounded 2’s multiplayer is more flexible than ever—but only if you understand how to use its systems. Shared worlds and crossplay open up seamless co-op adventures, but skipping steps like Microsoft linking can lead to frustrating dead ends. Use this guide to get it right the first time—and focus on the fun, not the config menu. 

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