If you want to settle the same planet as your friends in RimWorld, consider the open-source RimWorld Together mod. According to the author's gameplay description, players retain their own colonies and pace of play while interacting through trading, visits, and other features. Understand this before choosing it: its primary gameplay connects multiple colonies; it should not be understood as everyone controlling one shared colony.
What Makes RimWorld Multiplayer Engaging?
- Run separate colonies and exchange resources: Agree on different focuses within the squad—for example, one colony specializes in agriculture while another mines—and exchange resources through trade. Each base remains under its own player's management.
- Keep your own story's pace: Continue your colony's story and management while following your friends' progress through chat, visits, and other multiplayer features. Visits, raids, and similar actions also depend on server rules.
- Check DLC and mod compatibility for your actual version: The project aims to let players with different DLC and mod combinations interact. Before hosting, still check the current client and server versions and server mod restrictions, then test a connection using the combination you plan to use. Matching lists do not guarantee error-free play.
- Agree on squad rules first: Discuss whether raids are allowed, how scarce resources will be traded, and when mods will be updated before starting. This leaves room for individual development and reduces friction caused by different progress levels.
How Do You Set Up a Dedicated RTServer for Your Squad?
Your squad can join an existing server or run a separate RimWorld Together server to manage membership and multiplayer rules. It exchanges multiplayer data while each player retains their own pace; the offline-base simulation model of persistent survival-game servers does not apply. Use the configuration generated by the version you download:
- Core program:
RTServer.exe - Communication port:
TCP 25555(reachable in both directions) - Client Mod: Subscribe to
RimWorld Togetheron Steam Workshop (ID:3005289691) - Complete setup guide: For detailed configuration parameters, see RimWorld Multiplayer Server Tutorial and ServerConfig.json Guide.
An Easier Way to Manage Your Squad's Server
Our open-source LanGame Server Manager (LGSM) (GitHub: SZSLGJCOM/LanGame-Server-Manager) can manage the hosting workflow. When using a template, first check that its configuration fields match the current RTServer version. Keep save backups before updates and confirm they can be restored.
Playing Across Networks and Joining the Server
- With a public IP: Forward TCP port 25555 on your router. Friends can click
Togetheron the game's main menu and enterpublic-IP:25555to join the colony planet. - Without a public IP on rental or campus networks: Join the same virtual LAN through the LINK feature in LanGame OS Orbit, then connect using the server's virtual network adapter IP. Connection quality still depends on both players' networks and the actual route. Confirm TCP 25555 is reachable before inviting your squad.
For server downloads and version information, see the official RimWorld Together project. This article collects gameplay and hosting information; specific features depend on the version you use.