Are there any fans of Vampire Survivors here? If so, we have some great news!
If you’ve ever been annoyed by the limited multiplayer functionality of this indie roguelike, you won’t be anymore. At the end of last week, developer Poncle announced that an online multiplayer beta had been added to the Steam beta branch.
From now on, you and your friends can fight hordes of monsters together without having to sit in front of the same screen.
This new mode allows cooperative gameplay and gives you complete freedom to move around the map, level up together with the XP leveling system and enjoy special DLC and achievement rules.
If you want to learn how to launch the beta and find out exactly what’s changing in the gameplay, read our guide!
How Online Mode Was Created
Before we discuss the changes, let’s talk about how the online mode in Vampire Survivors was developed.
It turned out that developing the online co-op mode was a significant challenge. The developers had to deal with hundreds of locally operating opponents and maintain proper enemy sync for all players to make the game run smoothly.
How did they do it? The Coherence company introduced specific solutions:
- Movement synchronization, updating enemy positions every second, and local refreshes 60 times per second to ensure the game runs smoothly.
- Reducing connection load by dividing enemies among players so that each player controls a set numbers of enemies.
- Introducing P2P connections instead of central servers so players can connect in rooms and the Coherence cloud can support sessions in case of problems.
What’s New in Vampire Survivors Online Multiplayer Beta Steam
As we said, the release of the Vampire Survivors online multiplayer beta on Steam introduces several significant changes that completely transform the game.
With the launch of the online beta, players now have access to new stages, such as Mazerella and Westwoods, as well as additional weapons and a new Party Mode with friendly NPCs and two new characters.
In addition, Poncle has introduced another new features such as:
- Each player can move freely around the map, except when entering the boss room, when everyone is automatically transferred.
- Players gain experience together and only their results are shown when everyone has reached the required threshold.
- Add-ons can only be used if all participants have them.
- You can observe other players after death and respawn in their place.
- The speed-up option is inactive in online mode.
- One person can become temporarily invincible after pausing, while the rest of the session continues normally.
- You can save your achievements and add them to your profile after completing a run.
How to Launch The Beta on Steam?
Now it’s time for the practical guide on how to test the online mode of Vampire Survivors on Steam.
Below, you will find a few quick tips.
To test the online multiplayer beta:
- Open your Steam library and locate Vampire Survivors.
- Select Properties, then the Beta tab.
- From the list, select public-beta and close the properties window.
That’s it! All you need to do then is restart the Steam, after which the ONLINE button will appear in the main menu. There, you can create a room or join your friends.
QUICK TIP: When the update is available, the game will automatically update to version 1.14 Beta, and your save file will be transferred to the full release.
What Else You Should Know
The introduction of fully online multiplayer gameplay satisfies players’ expectations.
Constant updates also contribute to the success of this indie roguelike, which has grown from a project developed by one person into a global phenomenon that continues to surprise with new features.
Proof of the game’s further development is evident in the fact that they are working on a board game called Vampire Survivors: The Board Game. Designed for 2–4 players, this board game captures the essence of the original and offers quick sessions, character development and the chance to play as well-known characters.
Conclusion
That’s all you need to know about Vampire Survivors Online Multiplayer Beta Steam and the latest updates from Poncle.
Now, it’s time to jump into the game and experience all the new features for yourself!