THE SHORT ANSWER
Developer patch notes added support for up to eight players in 1.0.4, then invite-only lobbies in 1.0.5. The Steam description still says one to four. For a friends-only crew, choose the private session option.
Patch notes through 1.1.3 · Updated 2026-09-08 · Official sources checked 2026-10-20.
Version & evidence notes
Eight-player support and invite-only sessions remain developer-supported. The 1.0.12 voice update and frame-rate fix do not establish a universal connection fix.
Latest inspected patch notes ↗Before you start
Compatible current game versions and Steam online co-op access. This is guidance for players, not authorization for this local preview to connect to their games.
01 / 03
Before the first cast
Choose the private session option and invite your group. If you change session type in an existing game, the 1.0.5 notes say that change requires a restart.
Developer statementDazed Games ↘Agree on the next purchase and which quest you are completing. Nominate one person to initiate a boss, after the others confirm they are ready. This is coordination advice, not a hidden game mechanic.
Kingy adviceKeep someone ready to help downed teammates. PC Gamer’s reported crab session describes reviving teammates with punches; exact input timing and invulnerability are not established here.
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Back to guide contents ↑02 / 03
The explosives exception
Disabling friendly fire does not protect you from your own explosives, according to the 1.0.11 notes.
Call out any explosive before using it and leave space around the fight. The crew can debate style points after everybody has a pulse.
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Back to guide contents ↑03 / 03
If the lobby or fight behaves differently
Compare versions, difficulty and whether the source described solo or group play before copying a tactic. Do not turn an old video’s group size into a current cap. Check the current lobby controls if your installation differs.
No split-screen, cross-platform matchmaking, host-save transfer or co-op health-scaling formula has been verified for this collection. These are open questions, not promises hidden in the word multiplayer.
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Back to guide contents ↑FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
Sources & limits
Reported mechanics and developer settings; no live co-op test performed.
Source review checks what an author says; it does not reproduce their play session. Exact Steam builds remain unknown. Video candidates awaiting full review are not included.
PRIMARY SOURCE
Developer announcements through 1.1.3 ↗
Dazed Games · checked 2026-10-20
What this source supports
Official Steam announcements and publisher-only news API checked October 12: September 28–29 Islet 1.1.0 / 1.1.2 / 1.1.3; October 12 roadmap notice.
1.1.3 remains the latest published patch. October 12 announces future content, console ports and bugfixes without dates or platforms. No full current journal roster or independent gameplay test.
PUBLISHED REPORTING
A fishing sim with co-op chaos ↗
Elie Gould / PC Gamer · checked 2026-09-08
What this source supports
September 6: first session, sailor loop and revival account
A reported play session, not kingy.wiki testing. Its older player-count wording is superseded by official patch notes.