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7 Days to Die Multiplayer: Everything You Need to Know

7 Days to Die has supported multiplayer since its earliest alpha builds, but the post-1.0 experience is a significant step up. Crossplay between PC and consoles, dedicated server support for up to 8 cross-platform players, and a steady stream of content updates through 2025 have made it one of the most active survival multiplayer games available. Here is everything you need to know to play with others.

Multiplayer Modes​

Peer-to-peer (host a game)​

The simplest option. One player hosts through the in-game menu, and others join. The world exists only while the host is online. This works well for small groups of 2-4 who play at the same time, but it ties the world's availability to a single person's schedule.

Dedicated server​

A standalone server process runs independently of any player's game client. The world is always accessible, settings are fully configurable through serverconfig.xml, and the server can handle more players with better stability. For groups larger than 4 or groups that play at different times, a dedicated server is the right choice.

Crossplay​

Since V1.2 (December 2024), PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S players can play together. Crossplay was expanded to dedicated servers in V2.0 (June 2025), supporting up to 8 players across platforms.

Requirements for crossplay:

  • All players must be on the same game version
  • Easy Anti-Cheat (EAC) must be enabled on PC
  • Maximum world size is 8192
  • No mods (EAC blocks modded clients)
  • Maximum of 8 players per crossplay session

If your group is all on PC and wants mods, disable crossplay and EAC. If you have mixed platforms, crossplay takes priority and mods are off the table.

Setting Up Multiplayer​

Quick start: host a game​

  1. Launch 7 Days to Die and select "New Game"
  2. Configure world size, biome, and game settings
  3. Set "Multiplayer" to On
  4. Set a server name and optional password
  5. Start the game -- friends can find your server in the browser or join through platform invites

Dedicated server​

For a persistent world, run a dedicated server either on your own hardware or through a hosting provider. Full setup details are covered in the 7 Days to Die server hosting guide. The short version:

  1. Download server files via SteamCMD (App ID 294420)
  2. Edit serverconfig.xml for your preferred settings
  3. Open ports 26900-26902 (UDP) and 26900 (TCP)
  4. Start the server and share the IP with your group

PvE vs PvP: Choosing Your Server Type​

PvE (Player vs Environment)​

The default and most popular mode. All players cooperate against the zombie threat. Friendly fire is off or limited, and the focus is on building, exploring, and surviving horde nights together.

Best settings for PvE:

  • PlayerKillingMode set to 0 (no PvP) or 3 (kill allies only)
  • DropOnDeath set to Toolbelt or Nothing to reduce frustration
  • LootAbundance at 100-150% so multiple players can gear up

PvP (Player vs Player)​

Players can attack and loot each other. Bases can be raided. This mode adds a competitive layer on top of the survival loop and works best on servers with established rules and active admins.

Best settings for PvP:

  • PlayerKillingMode set to 1 (kill everyone) or 2 (kill strangers only)
  • DropOnDeath set to Everything for high-stakes encounters
  • LandClaimSize and LandClaimDeadZone tuned to prevent base stacking
  • LootAbundance at 75-100% to create resource competition

Co-Op Strategies for Blood Moon Nights​

Blood Moon hordes are the ultimate multiplayer test. Every seven in-game days (by default), waves of zombies attack with increasing intensity based on your group's collective Game Stage. Here is how to prepare.

Build a dedicated horde base​

Your living quarters and crafting stations should be separate from your horde defense structure. A dedicated horde base lets you design kill corridors, trap layouts, and fallback positions without risking your main storage and workstations.

Assign roles during hordes​

  • Frontline: Melee-focused players with heavy armor hold chokepoints
  • Ranged support: Rifle and bow users on elevated platforms covering the kill zone
  • Engineer: Repairs barricades and traps during lulls between waves
  • Medic: Keeps the group healed and fed -- the V2.5 food and water UI bars make this easier to manage

Manage your Game Stage​

Game Stage drives horde difficulty. It increases with player level and time survived. On a server with mixed experience levels, newer players will face disproportionately tough hordes if they group with high-level veterans. Consider having newer players level up separately before joining the horde defense.

Control the smell system (V2.5+)​

Since the V2.5 Survival Revival update, the smell system attracts zombies to food processing and storage areas. Keep your cooking stations and meat storage away from your horde base. This is not just a quality-of-life issue -- misplaced food can draw extra zombies to unexpected locations during horde night.

Tips for Large Groups​

Stagger looting​

With 6-8 players hitting the same POIs, loot dries up fast. Split into teams of 2-3 and assign different directions for exploration runs. This covers more ground and avoids groups of players picking through already-empty containers.

Use the spawn near friend feature​

Added in V2.0, this lets new or respawning players spawn near a friend instead of at their bedroll. Coordinate this for horde nights so your group can regroup quickly after deaths.

Monitor server performance during hordes​

Blood Moon nights are the heaviest server load in the game. If you notice lag:

  • Reduce BloodMoonEnemyCount to 4-6 per player
  • Lower MaxSpawnedZombies to 40-50
  • Ensure the server has adequate CPU and RAM for your player count

A server that runs smoothly during normal gameplay may buckle under a full horde with 8 players. Test your settings before committing to a long save.

Communicate and mark positions​

Place bedrolls strategically near your horde base. Use the in-game map markers to designate loot zones, meeting points, and danger areas. For crossplay groups, Discord integration (added in V2.0) provides voice chat, messaging, and Rich Presence.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Can PC and console players play together? Yes, since V1.2. Crossplay works on both peer-to-peer and dedicated servers (up to 8 players). All players must be on the same version with EAC enabled.

Can I use mods on a multiplayer server? On PC-only servers with EAC disabled, yes. Crossplay servers require EAC, which blocks mods.

What is the maximum player count? 16 players on PC-only dedicated servers. 8 players for crossplay sessions.

Do zombies scale with player count? Zombie difficulty scales with Game Stage, which increases per player. More players generally means tougher hordes, but it is not a simple linear multiplier.