There’s something quietly powerful about turning a sleepy patch of land into a buzzing, bustling farm. But if Stardew Valley on your own is a kind of therapy, playing it with friends turns it into a shared ritual. Cooperative farming isn’t just more fun—it’s more dynamic, more surprising, and yes, more productive.

If you're playing the GOG version, multiplayer takes a few extra steps to get going compared to Steam. But once it's set up, it's just as smooth—and maybe even more flexible. This guide walks you through everything you need to know to set up multiplayer on Stardew Valley GOG, step by step.

What You’ll Need to Get Started

First, make sure you have:

• A copy of Stardew Valley installed via GOG

• The GOG Galaxy client (recommended, though not strictly required)

• An internet connection for online play

• Friends who also have the GOG version (or at least the PC version—crossplay works between Steam and GOG)

You can get your copy through a Stardew Valley GOG CD Key from RoyalCDKeys, which gives you access to both the offline installer and Galaxy client options.

Using GOG Galaxy for Multiplayer (The Easy Way)

GOG Galaxy streamlines multiplayer by managing friends, game updates, and invite codes. Here’s how to host or join a session:

To Host a New Farm

1. Open Stardew Valley through GOG Galaxy.

2. From the main menu, click “Co-op.”

3. Choose “Host New Farm.”

4. Select a map, and make sure to choose the number of starting cabins based on how many players will join.

5. Start the game.

To Host an Existing Farm

1. Load your existing farm in single-player mode.

2. Visit Robin (the carpenter) and build a cabin for each player.

3. Save and exit.

4. Return to the main menu, select “Co-op,” and host your existing farm.

Your friends will be able to join via GOG Galaxy or with an invite code.

To Join a Friend’s Farm

1. From the main menu, select “Co-op.”

2. Look for your friend’s session in the server list, or enter an invite code they’ve shared with you.

3. Accept the invitation and jump in.

Without GOG Galaxy (Manual Setup)

You can still play multiplayer without using GOG Galaxy, but it requires manual work:

• You and your friends must be on the same version of Stardew Valley.

• You’ll need to exchange and enter invite codes manually.

• You may need to forward ports on your router or use third-party tools like Hamachi for direct IP connections.

This option gives you more control—but it’s best for players who are already comfortable with networking.

Key Multiplayer Features

• Player Limit: Up to four players can share a farm.

• Shared or Separate Wallets: Choose whether to combine finances or keep them separate.

• Cabin System: Each player gets their own cabin and shipping bin.

• Time Sync: Time passes at the same rate for everyone. No pausing unless all players agree.

• Crossplay: GOG and Steam players on PC can play together.

Communication and Coordination

Voice chat isn’t built into Stardew Valley, so use Discord or another app to stay in sync. Assigning roles—fishing, mining, farming, foraging—can make your group farm run more efficiently.

Multiplayer also introduces small quality-of-life challenges. Only the host can initiate certain events. Cutscenes and festival timing can vary depending on which player triggers them. Communication helps smooth this out.

Modding in Multiplayer (Yes, It Works)

If you plan to use mods, all players must have the same mods installed and configured. That includes SMAPI, content packs, and any gameplay-changing mods.

GOG is especially mod-friendly thanks to its DRM-free model. You can install SMAPI and manage mods without fighting a game client.

Multiplayer Tips

• Sleep Together: Everyone has to be in bed to save and end the day.

• Auto-Save Awareness: The game only saves at the end of each day. Crashes or disconnects before that can result in lost progress.

• Respect Shared Spaces: Think about how you’ll divvy up crops, tools, animals, and gold.

• Backups Are Smart: Copy your save files regularly. You can find them in:

  • Windows: %appdata%\StardewValley\Saves

  • macOS/Linux: ~/.config/StardewValley/Saves

Which Is Better: Solo or Multiplayer?

They’re not the same game. In multiplayer, things move faster. Tasks get divided. Goals come quicker. But it’s also less introspective. There’s less time to pause and more reason to plan.

That said, if you’re already hooked on Stardew’s charm, bringing a friend—or three—only adds more layers to enjoy. Just remember: a co-op farm still takes commitment.

Ready to Start Farming Together?

You can buy your Stardew Valley GOG CD Key through RoyalCDKeys and download either the standalone version or GOG Galaxy. Both offer multiplayer—Galaxy just makes it easier.

Start your farm. Send those invites. And build something worth harvesting.

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