How co-op works in Dinkum

Dinkum multiplayer - a player is standing inside an open top chicken run surrounded by white chickens

(Image credit: James Bendon)

If you're keen to explore the outback with your pals, Dinkum multiplayer lets you work as a team. This farming sim has just arrived in early access on Steam and it's managed to pull in a respectable number of "overwhelmingly positive" reviews so far. No mean feat, especially when you consider there's only one developer behind it.

Your character is making a fresh start in the Australian outback, so you need to set up your new home and make it inviting enough that others will want to move there. In that respect, it's kind of a cross between Stardew Valley and Animal Crossing, just that you'll have all the animals of the outback to live alongside—and not all of them are cute and friendly.

So if you're ready to jump into your new adventure with friends, here's what you need to know about Dinkum multiplayer.

Dinkum multiplayer: How to play co-op with friends

To play co-op in Dinkum, you need a character that has completed their first day. Essentially, this means you'll need to set up the base tent and work through the tasks that Fletch gives you (set up your tent, make a campfire) before retiring to your sleeping bag.

Here's how to host a game in Dinkum:

Select the Multiplayer option in the main menu
Pick the character and world you want to use from the list
Choose the restrictions you want to use: Friends only, invite only, and so on
Click on "Host Game"

How to join a game in Dinkum:

Select the Multiplayer option in the main menu
Pick the character and world you want to use from the list
Select the "Open Games" tab at the top of the screen
Toggle "Friends Only" or "Public Games" as required
Select the game you want to join from the list

Image 1 of 3

Dinkum multiplayer — Select the "Multiplayer" option from the main menu. (Image credit: James Bendon)

Currently, visiting players won't be able to place or move buildings or sell farm animals. It's worthwhile progressing in your own world, for at least a couple of in-game days, to unlock recipes such as the Crude Furnace and Nails from Fletch before jumping into someone else's game.

Dinkum is in early access though, so I'll keep this guide updated if and when anything changes.

Sarah started as a freelance writer in 2018, writing for PCGamesN, TechRadar, GamingBible, Red Bull Gaming and more. In 2021, she was offered a full-time position on the PC Gamer team where she takes every possible opportunity to talk about World of Warcraft and Elden Ring. When not writing guides, most of her spare time is spent in Azeroth—though she's quite partial to JRPGs too. One of her fondest hopes is to one day play through the ending of Final Fantasy X without breaking down into a sobbing heap. She probably has more wolves in Valheim than you.