I remember the first time I tried to pull three friends into my Windrose save and the lobby glitched mid-invite—I cursed, they laughed, and we lost twenty minutes. You can play alone, but when the sea gets crowded you want your crew in the same ship. I’ll show you how to get everyone aboard, fast, and without the usual wasted minutes.
If you’re the host, you’re the captain: hosting gives you the invite code, the server name, and the password. If you’re joining, all you need is that code and, sometimes, the password. Below I’ll walk you through the exact steps, shortcuts, and small tips I use so sessions start on time and with fewer fights over the helm.
I’ve seen parties fumble for friend requests in a crowded Steam overlay. How to invite your friends to Windrose
Step one: get everyone on Steam. It’s the path of least resistance—send friend requests via Steam IDs or profile links, then open your Steam overlay when you’re hosting.
Open Windrose, choose a save (you can reuse an existing solo save or create a fresh one for co-op), and select the online host option. The game will generate an invite code—this string is everything. Treat it like a key: share it with friends via Steam chat or Discord and they’ll be able to join your server.
You can name the server and add a password for privacy. The official dedicated servers support up to four players at once; if you run your own server you can exceed that limit, but that takes extra setup and hosting know-how. For most groups, the in-game server + password combo is quick and secure.
Can I play Windrose with friends?
Yes. You can play solo or in co-op. If you host, you create the session and send an invite code; if you join, you ask for that code and enter it in the client. Steam is the glue—having everyone on your Steam friends list removes friction.
How many players can play co-op in Windrose?
Official servers: up to four players. Private self-hosted servers can accept more, but expect extra setup (port forwarding, a stable connection, and possibly renting a server). If you consider renting a VPS, budget tools like DigitalOcean or an Amazon Lightsail droplet can run roughly from $5/month (about €5), depending on load.
I’ve jumped into noisy lobbies where players forgot to send the password. How to join a friend’s game in Windrose
Ask your host for the code (and the password if one’s set). In the Windrose menu choose “Join Online” and paste the code into the entry box. If the host added a password, you’ll be prompted to type it before you’re allowed into the server.
Tip: use Steam voice or Discord to confirm the code as you type. Small typos are the most common reason people can’t connect, and a quick voice check saves everyone time. If you can’t connect, try toggling Steam overlay and verifying your game files in Steam.
The moment you land in someone else’s world feels like stepping onto a friend’s boat mid-sail—awkward for a second, thrilling after that. Assign roles quickly: one person at the helm, one on repairs, one managing supplies; keep the radio (voice chat) open to avoid chaos.
How do I create a server code in Windrose?
Create or select a save and choose the online host option—Windrose generates the code for you. Copy it to your clipboard, paste it into Steam or Discord chat, and your friends can join. If you want privacy, set a password before sharing the code.
Small trust signal: I host mixed public and private sessions regularly, and passworded private games cut griefing dramatically. Use the Steam invite + code method for casual runs and a dedicated private server if you’re planning long campaigns with more than four players.
So: will you keep playing solo, or is it time to turn Windrose into a proper crew argument over who steers the ship?