Is Permafrost Crossplay?

Crossplay status at Early Access launch

Permafrost entered Early Access on October 9, 2026, on three PC stores at once. Steam, GOG and the Epic Games Store all sell the same game for the same launch price. The Steam Early Access FAQ confirms that co-op for up to four players is fully implemented and functional.

What the stores do not offer yet is cross-store play. The developers have not announced a launch date for crossplay, and no patch note so far has switched it on. Treat any claim of working cross-store co-op with caution until it appears in an official update.

The table reflects the state of the Early Access build at launch. Crossplay is one of the most requested features on the forum, so it may move quickly. We will update this page as soon as the developers confirm a change.

What the developers actually said

The clearest answer came from a developer account on the official Steam discussion board in September 2026. Asked about crossplay, they replied that it is in development because it is needed on the PC side for Steam and Epic. That is a direct statement of intent, not a rumour from a third-party site.

In the same reply the developer added that consoles will not come during Early Access. Console releases are more likely for the 1.0 version, so there is nothing to cross-play with on console for now. PC is the only platform that matters for crossplay this year.

The answer did not mention GOG by name. GOG uses its own online services, so it may follow a different path from Steam and Epic. Ask on the forum or Discord if your group is split between GOG and another store.

Steam and Epic players

Steam and Epic are the pairing the developers named, which makes it the most likely first step. For now, a Steam host cannot reliably invite an Epic player into the same world. The 2024 demo added Steam friend invites, which only work inside Steam.

If your group has not bought the game yet, pick one store together. Most of the community, the official forum and the patch notes live on Steam, which makes troubleshooting easier. Our Permafrost on Steam page covers the store details.

Already split across stores? Keep both copies and wait for the crossplay update instead of rebuying. Refund windows are short, so check them before you decide. The price page explains the launch discount and regional pricing.

GOG players

Permafrost is on GOG at launch, which suits players who prefer installers without a launcher. The publisher's launch announcement lists GOG next to Steam and Epic. Co-op inside GOG relies on GOG's own matchmaking services.

No source we found confirms crossplay between GOG and the other two stores. That does not rule it out, but it means you should not count on it. Groups that want guaranteed co-op today should stay on one storefront.

Consoles and cross-platform play

Permafrost is a PC-only game in Early Access. A PlayStation Store page exists, but it has no release date, and no Xbox version has been announced. See Permafrost on PS5 and Permafrost on Xbox for the details.

Because consoles are aimed at the 1.0 release, PC and console crossplay is a question for later. The developers have not said whether console players will share servers with PC players. Expect an answer closer to the console launch, not during Early Access.

How many players can join

Crossplay or not, a Permafrost world holds up to four players. One player hosts with a server name and optional password, and up to three friends join. Every player needs their own copy of the game.

The host's world is only online while the host is playing. That limits co-op for groups in different time zones more than crossplay does. Read about dedicated servers if you want a world that stays online.

Full instructions for hosting and joining are in our multiplayer guide. It also covers friendly fire, shared loot and the dog in co-op. Read it before your first session with friends.

What to do while you wait

A few simple steps avoid frustration until crossplay lands. They come from questions players keep asking on the forum. Share them with your group before anyone buys a copy.

• Agree on one store before anyone buys the game.
• Use Steam if the group has no preference, since most players and patch notes are there.
• Keep an eye on the official Steam news hub for a crossplay patch.
• Do not buy a second copy unless the refund window still allows a return.
• Join the official Discord to report cross-store bugs once testing begins.

Crossplay is a big technical job for a small studio of about fifteen people. The Early Access roadmap focuses on combat, crafting and the White Hell biome first. Patience is likely, but the developer's answer makes it clear the feature is coming.

Where crossplay fits on the roadmap

The official Early Access roadmap lists four content updates. Update 1 polishes combat animations and quality of life, Update 2 adds weapon parts, Update 3 adds the sledgehammer and Update 4 brings White Hell. Crossplay is not named in any of them.

That suggests crossplay is being built alongside the content updates rather than as one of them. Multiplayer stability, kicks and sync problems were already on the developers' fix list after the demo. A stable base is a sensible step before connecting different stores.

The developers plan to stay in Early Access for at least 12 months. Crossplay between Steam and Epic is a reasonable expectation within that window. Bookmark this page and check the wiki hub for the latest roadmap news.

Quick answers

These are the questions players ask most about crossplay. The answers reflect the Early Access build in October 2026. Check back after each major update.

Can Steam and Epic players play together? Not yet, but the developers say it is in development. Can GOG players join Steam friends? No source confirms it, so assume they cannot for now.

Is there crossplay with PS5 or Xbox? No, because there is no console version yet. Do I need to buy the game twice to play with a friend on another store? No, just wait for the crossplay update or agree on one store for the group.