🤝 How to Fish Co-op - How to Play With Friends

One player creates a lobby, then invites via the Steam friend list or the Steam Overlay (Shift + Tab); friends join directly or with a session code. Every player must be on the same game version — mismatched versions cannot join.

• Host: main menu → Multiplayer → create a lobby (public or private, patch 1.0.5+) → get the session code or invite.
• Join: open the Steam friend list, find the friend playing and click Join — or enter the session code in game.
• In game: Steam Overlay (Shift + Tab) to invite from the friend list.

• Start the game and select Multiplayer from the main menu.
• Create the session (lobby).
• Choose public or private — private invite-only requires patch 1.0.5 and a restart.
• Hand out the session code, or invite directly through the Steam friend list.

• Open the Steam friend list and find the friend who is already playing.
• Click Join to connect directly.
• Alternatively, use the in-game session code.
• The Steam Overlay (Shift + Tab) also lists joinable friends during play.

• One person creates and hosts the lobby.
• Invite friends through the Steam Overlay (Shift + Tab).
• Confirm everyone runs the same game version before starting.
• Share the same island, fish, fight, earn and progress the main story together.

Community-verified fixes for the "can't invite friends" problem, in the order worth trying.

• Check the game version: everyone must match. Steam library → right-click How to Fish → Properties → Updates → enable automatic updates, then restart Steam and the game.
• Restart Steam and the game: end both processes in Task Manager and reopen.
• Create a new lobby: long-running lobbies can develop black screens — leave and host a fresh one.
• Change host: let another friend create the lobby and invite the rest.
• Network: disable VPN, check the router's NAT type, or test with a mobile hotspot.

💡 Black screen when joining a lobby usually means version mismatch or a stale lobby — same version, new lobby, different host, in that order.

• Assign one player to steer the boat while others fish and shoot.
• Combat split: close-range Shotgun on one side, mid/long-range SMG or Assault Rifle on the other.
• Quest items are delivered in person by whoever carries them — plan hand-offs before sailing.
• Agree on purchases before spending: pooled funds scattered across random upgrades is the classic co-op mistake.
• Voice chat is optional — check the default recording device in Windows and lock it before the game starts.

• How many can play together? Up to 8 after patch 1.0.4 (originally 1-4).
• Is a group required? No — the game is fully playable solo; multiplayer just adds speed and fun.
• Is there split-screen? No, online co-op only.
• Cross-platform? Not currently — Steam PC only.
• Is progress shared? Islands and main-story progress are shared within the session.