Hytale is designed from the ground up for multiplayer experiences. Whether you want to explore with a friend or join a massive community server, this guide covers everything you need to know.
Multiplayer Options in Hytale
There are two main ways to play with others:
- Invite Friends to Your World - Quick and easy, but only works when you're online
- Join Dedicated Servers - Persistent worlds that run 24/7
Inviting Friends to Your World
The quickest way to play with friends is hosting from your own game.
How to Create a Share Code
- Open the menu by pressing ESC
- Select Online Play
- Toggle Allow Other Players to Join to On
- (Optional) Set a password for your world
- (Optional) Toggle to include password in the share code
- Click Save to generate your Share Code
- Click Copy to Clipboard
- Share the code directly with your friends
How Friends Join Your Game
When your friend has the code:
- From the main menu, go to Servers
- Click Join Via Code
- Paste the share code you received
- Enter the password if required
- Click Connect
Important Security Warning
Your share code contains your IP address. Never post it publicly, in public chats, or show it on stream. Only share codes directly with people you trust.
Limitations of Friend Hosting
- Your world is only accessible when you're online
- Friends can't play when you're offline
- Network issues may affect connection quality
- For persistent access, you'll need a dedicated server
Joining Public Servers
Dedicated servers offer persistent worlds that stay online 24/7.
Finding Servers on Santale
- Visit Santale.top
- Browse the server list
- Use filters to find servers matching your interests
- Click on a server to see details and connection info
- Copy the server address and port
Connecting to a Server
- From the main menu, click Servers
- Click Direct Connect (or Add Server to save it)
- Enter the server address (e.g.,
play.example.com) - Enter the port (default:
5520) - Click Connect
What to Expect on Servers
- Mods sync automatically - no manual installation
- Server rules vary - read them before playing
- Some servers require registration or whitelisting
- Player progression is stored on the server
Troubleshooting Connection Issues
"Failed to Connect" Errors
Common causes and solutions:
UPnP Issues:
- Hytale relies on UPnP for friend connections
- Some routers don't support UPnP or have it disabled
- Try enabling UPnP in your router settings
Firewall Blocking:
- Add Hytale to your firewall exceptions
- Ensure UDP port 5520 is allowed
- Try temporarily disabling your firewall to test
NAT Type Issues:
- Strict NAT can prevent connections
- Consider using a VPN or Tailscale as a workaround
- Dedicated servers avoid these issues
Alternative Solutions
If direct connections don't work:
Use Tailscale:
- Install Tailscale on both computers
- Connect through Tailscale's virtual network
- Use Tailscale IP addresses instead
Rent a Server:
- Hosting providers handle networking
- Reliable 24/7 availability
- Better performance and DDoS protection
Setting Up a Dedicated Server
For a persistent world that's always available:
Quick Server Options
- Rent from a hosting provider - Easiest option, managed for you
- Self-host with Docker - More control, requires technical knowledge
- Use a VPS - Full control, requires server management skills
See our Docker Server Setup Guide for detailed self-hosting instructions.
Server Hardware Recommendations
| Server Size | Players | RAM | CPU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (friends) | 2-5 | 4GB | 2 cores |
| Medium | 10-20 | 6-8GB | 4 cores |
| Large | 30+ | 12GB+ | 6+ cores |
Multiplayer Tips
For Hosts
- Keep your game running while friends want to play
- Set a password if you want privacy
- Consider time zones when planning sessions
- Have a backup plan (dedicated server) for reliability
For Players
- Save the server address for quick reconnecting
- Respect server rules and other players
- Report issues to server admins
- Be patient during early access - bugs happen
For Server Owners
- List your server on Santale for visibility
- Set clear rules and expectations
- Use moderation tools to manage your community
- Keep your server updated
Early Access Considerations
Remember that Hytale launched in Early Access:
- Some multiplayer features are still being improved
- Connection issues are being actively worked on
- The developer is aware of networking challenges
- Features will improve over time
Ready to host your own server? Check out our Server Setup Guide or browse servers on Santale.
