Dead Island 2: How to Unlock and Play Co-Op Multiplayer

You can choose to go it alone or play with a buddy via co-op in Dead Island 2. While solo mode allows you to focus on your own progression, multiplayer lets you help friends (or lets them help you) and should add to the zombie-bashing fun. Below, we cover how to unlock co-op mode, explain how to add friends, and cover details such as cross-progression, rewards, and how many players can team up. 

How to Unlock Co-Op Multiplayer in Dead Island 2

You’ll unlock co-op multiplayer during the Call the Cavalry mission in the Dead Island 2 story. Once you leave Emma’s house, a prompt will tell you that co-op has become available.

Dead Island 2 Co-Op Explained

The Dead Island 2 co-op system has a few notable options that you can select from the main menu:

• Public Co-Op: Opens your session to anyone who’s playing.
• Friends-Only Co-Op: Opens your session only to those on your friends list.
• Invite-Only Co-Op: Allows you to choose friends via the Social tab and invite them to your game.

Screenshot by GameSkinny

How to Invite and Add Friends for Co-Op

To invite and add friends in Dead Island 2 co-op, load up the story campaign, then open the Social menu. From there, you’ll see your friends list. Select the players that you want to invite to your session.

How to Join a Co-Op Game

From the main menu, select Join Game. If a player has set their session set to either Public or Friends Only, then you’ll be matched with them (barring restrictions noted below). You may also accept an invite from a friend to join their session.

How Many Players Can Play Co-Op Together? 

If you’re wondering how many players can be in Dead Island 2 co-op sessions, you can have up to three players playing at any time. There is no 4-player co-op. 

You can only join players that are at the same quest or campaign stage as you — or at an earlier point. You can’t join players that have progressed further than you. If you’re still trying to complete Mission #3 in Bel Air, then you can’t join someone who’s already in Santa Monica.

Does Dead Island 2 Have Crossplay or Cross-Gen Co-Op? 

Cross-play co-op isn’t possible in Dead Island 2 at the moment (i.e., PC vs. PlayStation vs. Xbox), though cross-gen co-op is available (i.e., PS4 and PS5 users).

However, you can’t host games if you’re on PS4, Xbox One, or Xbox One S — you can only join them. The hosting function is only available to those on PS4 Pro, Xbox One X, current-gen consoles, and PCs.

Is There Local or Splitscreen Co-Op?

Unfortunately, local/splitscreen/couch co-op is not available. It’s just one player per system, and your friends need to purchase the game on their own.

How Do Co-Op Rewards Work? 

Those teaming up with buddies will each gain duplicates of item and weapon rewards that drop from enemies or are found in chests. However, cash rewards are shared among all players.

That’s how to unlock co-op multiplayer in Dead Island 2, as well as all the information you need to get started taking back Hell-A from the horde. For more information about the game, you can take a look at our DI2 guides hub.

Featured image by GameSkinny.