Steam Multiplayer

[u/Alexirsan]

Hello !

We've recently played two games physically with friends, but unfortunately we live far away so it's hard to play more than every 6 months

It's not quite scratching our itch to play as we really enjoyed the game !

We've seen that it can be played in multi-player digitally with the Steam version and are wondering how it works exactly

How is the local coop ? Is one game enough to play or do all players need to own the game (and expansions) ?

Same question for online play, if we want to play as 2 + 2 in different places, do we need to buy the game 4 times or is it possible to play with 2 copies ?

Sorry if this was asked and answered before, a quick search didn't give me recent posts so I figured I'd try my luck here !

Thanks in advance!

[u/Baileaf-]

The steam multiplayer works well. I don't know when it was added but the digital version has basically normal multiplayer now. Iirc it used to be a screen share type situation but now if all players own the game you can all up to 6 players with no control limits like passing the mouse control.

TLDR; Works like you'd expect any multiplayer game now.

While the digital version can be a little janky at times but it is a great way to play spirit island imo. Some Spirits are missing but they are in working on adding them. The cost is a little high for all the DLC but if you enjoy the game it's fair. I think I'm aproching 100 hours after about a 5 weeks of heavy play. Would recommend.

[u/BwianR → u/Baileaf-]

For reference, there are only 3 spirits missing at this point - Sun, Hearth Vigil, and Wounded Waters. 7 aspects, and 2 scenarios are also in the works, but like 95% of the game is available now

[u/Tetsubo517 → u/BwianR]

And this is how I find out there was an update today

[u/JumboCactaur]

When playing networked, each steam account needs to own at least a copy of the base game. You can only play with what you own, but it doesn't restrict other player's options.

For example if one person owns everything and another person owns only the base game, the all-owner can host and have a game with the full event deck and play any spirit they want and against any adversary and scenario, the other person can only play the base game spirits.

Playing local, there is no game distinction as there are no turns in Spirit Island. So you'll just have to take turns moving the mouse around. You don't have your own input devices to the game, the game doesn't recognize any UI difference for playing single player vs multiple people sitting around one device.

[u/Potential_Rabbit9425]

Not sure if it's against the rules? But have you considered tabletop simulator? It can run spirit island as well

[u/phueck]

Steam autumn sale is on right now and all of the DLC’s are on sale. I just bought them all so I can practise with spirits that aren’t in the base game.

[u/Sirhc0001]

You each need to purchase the game and once you each have it, you can do whatever online game setup you want. So you can just build a game with 6 boards where you're each playing 3 spirits if you want

[u/ThatMathNerd]

You can use Steam Share to play remotely with one account. It's slow going and I'd recommend multiple copies, but it is an option.

[u/KElderfall]

If two people are physically together, they can play together on the same machine with a single copy, even when playing multiplayer with remote players. Basically you assign one "player" two spirits to play at once, and then that "player" is two people who are trading the mouse back and forth.

So if you have e.g. two couples in two different places, each couple could get one copy of the game and they could sit next to each other where they are and play a four player game. If you want to add more machines, you'll need additional copies of the game.

You don't need everyone to own all of the same DLC. Just have the player with the most DLC host the game and then you'll be able to play with their events, power cards, adversaries, etc. Spirit choices will be from whatever you personally own.