Don't Starve Together

Don't Starve Together is a standalone survival game by Klei Entertainment set in the universe of Don't Starve. Instead of a fixed sequence of missions, the game world sets the daily plan: gather food, secure materials, craft tools and prepare for the next night. In the hand-drawn, gloomy wilderness, an unprepared expedition can quickly end in death.

The key feature is shared survival. Several players share one world, can split tasks and build a lasting camp. The adventure also works alone. If you already own Don't Starve, you don't need to install it for this: Together is a separate game and not a mere multiplayer expansion of the original.

After its PC release on April 21, 2016, Don't Starve Together was gradually brought to other platforms. The PlayStation 4 version followed in September 2016, Xbox One in 2017, Nintendo Switch in April 2022, and a separate PS5 version in October 2025. Since July 21, 2026, there are also versions for iOS and Android, released by Playdigious.

The game receives additional content over its lifetime. The release date of one platform version is therefore not the same as the launch of all game content available today. Some convenience and technical features may differ depending on the version.

Don't Starve Together has native versions for PC (Windows, macOS and Linux), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS and Android. On PC, the game is available via Steam, among others. The mobile versions are offered by Playdigious.

Important about console names: The fact that the Xbox One version is playable on Xbox Series X|S does not make it a separately developed Xbox Series version. A separate Switch 2 version cannot be inferred from the official platform overview either. If you want to play with friends on different devices, you should also check the specific connection options: availability on several platforms alone is no proof of cross-platform play.

Gameplay combines exploration with ongoing resource gathering. Tools, weapons, light sources, cooking stations and structures are made from materials you find. Food must be gathered, grown or obtained in other ways. With more equipment, you can tackle more dangerous regions and stronger enemies.

The world is not just a safe base with occasional trips out. Seasons, darkness, different biomes and strong enemies change the conditions for every expedition. Fights, the stamina for a journey and the supply of the camp are closely linked. Anyone who ventures too far without planning a way back or supplies risks losing their character.

The playable survivors have different traits. In co-op, a group can divide its work accordingly. There is no fixed class requirement: small groups and solo players can also develop their own rhythm.

Klei has been adding new game content to Don't Starve Together since launch. In addition, the Steam catalog includes separately sold packs with cosmetic items. For example, the Blooming Verdant Chest contains optional content for the main game. Such packs must be distinguished from the standalone game version and from expansions of the playable world.

A DLC pack requires the matching version of the main game. Not every cosmetic extra and purchase option is available in the same form on all platforms.

For PC, Klei lists as minimum requirements a 1.7 GHz processor, 1 GB RAM, a graphics card on the level of a Radeon HD 5450 with at least 256 MB video memory, and around 3 GB of free storage. An internet connection is required for online games. OS-dependent details differ between Windows, macOS and Linux.

These are the published minimum requirements, not a guarantee of steady performance in demanding worlds with many additional mods or a self-hosted server. Dedicated servers may need extra performance.

Togetherness is the guiding principle: in online games, several players explore the same persistent world, build a shared base or head out separately. Besides cooperative rules, other server settings and PvP variants are also possible. If you don't want a teammate, you can survive alone.

The console versions are not identical. On PlayStation, local split-screen was already announced for the PS4 version. Klei also documents local split-screen options for Nintendo Switch, depending on online, offline and LAN mode, with different requirements. Local co-op on one device, however, does not mean universal crossplay between platforms.

Dedicated servers and configuration options are available for self-organized PC sessions.

A world in Don't Starve Together is not a linear level plan. Progress comes from secured knowledge, expanded production options, explored places and better equipment. Farming, caves and special island or moon regions also expand the possibilities beyond the first camp.

The incentive lies in handling upcoming dangers more reliably, understanding new areas and trying out different characters or survival strategies. Major additional content for the game world has been added through updates, rather than bundling all further development exclusively behind paid expansions.

On PC, Don't Starve Together supports the modding community through the Steam Workshop, among other things. Klei distinguishes between extensions for the local game client and server-side modifications. These allow, for example, controls, displays and rules of a private game world to be adjusted.

Which changes work together depends on where the mod must be installed and which game version is used. Especially with other people's servers, you should not assume that your own mod selection is automatically identical. Third-party modifications are not officially guaranteed parts of the game.

For supported platforms, Klei offers an account link through which certain cosmetic unlocks can be shared. The so-called Shared Unlocks feature is separate from the technical question of whether people on different platforms can join the same server together.

Unlocks are subject to their own terms. In particular, a linked Klei account does not mean that all platform-specific currencies, purchases or game progress transfer without restrictions. Before switching platforms, the current Klei documentation is authoritative.