Mastering Multiplayer in Satisfactory: Your Guide to Hosting Options

Factory production lines in Satisfactory grow significantly as you progress, making them challenging to manage alone. Thankfully, teaming up with a friend can alleviate some of that burden. The game supports both peer-to-peer and server-based multiplayer options, each with its advantages and disadvantages.

There are three main ways to host games in Satisfactory: Peer-to-peer games, self-hosted servers, and rented servers. While the peer-to-peer and self-hosted options are free, rented servers come with a monthly fee. Setting up a peer-to-peer game is the easiest, followed by rented servers, and lastly, self-hosted servers.

Peer-to-peer

To start a peer-to-peer session, the player with the save will need to initiate the game. There are options for creating a private game, requiring an in-game invite, or a Friends Only setting, where anyone on your friends list can join via the game's Join Game menu. Each session generates a unique Session ID, allowing invited friends to join, even if not on your friends list. However, this ID resets each time a session is started.

This is the simplest option for players, but it does require that the host is available whenever others want to play.

Self-Hosted Dedicated Server

A self-hosted dedicated server can be set up on a computer you control, allowing multiple users to join anytime. This software, which comes free with the game, is the most complex to set up and maintain. For detailed guidance, refer to the Satisfactory wiki on Dedicated Servers. Note that your internet service provider's hosting rules may affect your ability to run this kind of setup.

If you have the technical skills or patience, this route provides the greatest flexibility at minimal cost.

Rented Dedicated Server

A rented dedicated server shares the characteristics of a self-hosted server but operates on remote hardware. Many players may lack a spare computer to run a server continuously, making this option more appealing. You’ll find various setup options, which may require some time to configure; however, it's ideal for friends with differing playing schedules. Hosting starts at approximately $10 a month, and effective hosting can cost around $15. The more players, the more crucial optimal performance becomes.

While this option can be costly, it's well-suited for groups of players willing to invest in a shared gaming experience.