Dumb Ways to Build Multiplayer: Co-op, Room Codes, Crossplay

Everything here comes from PlaySide’s support centre, developer replies on the Steam forum and the store listings, checked on 11 September 2026.

How to host and join

Host: pick Host Game on the main menu. That puts you in the lobby.
Invite: walk up to the phone in the lobby to invite friends directly, or open the pause menu and copy the Room Code to send it to them.
Join: accept the host’s invite, or pick Join Game, type in the Room Code and confirm.
Pick the job: the host chooses the level, Normal or Master Builder, and whether Infinite Revives is on, in Level Select. None of that can be changed once the job starts.

Hotfix 1.2.70 on launch day fixed a bug that could hand out duplicate Room Codes, so if a code sent you into the wrong lobby on day one, update and try again.

How many players?

One to four. When a player asked for a bigger lobby, a forum account that is not marked as a developer replied that an update would raise it to eight. The developer’s answer came afterwards: four is the current maximum, and any change will be announced on official channels. Until then, treat eight as a rumour.

No matchmaking: how to find a crew

There is no random matchmaking and no public lobby browser. The official FAQ says you invite people with your Room Code. For strangers, a developer points to two places:

the official Discord, discord.com/invite/dwtb (about 406 members the day after launch), and
the Looking For Group section of the Steam forum.

Split-screen and couch co-op

Not supported on any platform. PlaySide’s support centre and a developer both say so, and add that they are passing requests on to the team. Every player needs their own copy and an internet connection.

Crossplay

PC (Steam), PS5 and Xbox Series X|S all play together. To turn crossplay off, open Settings > General from the main menu and switch off Enable Crossplay. On PS5, the PlayStation Store notes that PS Plus is required for online play. The Microsoft Store lists online co-op for 2-4 players.

Saves and progress

Progress does not carry between Steam, PlayStation and Xbox. Cloud saves work within one platform family, so your Steam PC and Steam Deck share progress (let the cloud sync finish before switching). There is no way to transfer a save from console to PC.

Joining a job that has already started

You can join mid-level. You spawn dead and need a teammate to revive you at a Port-a-loo, so let the crew know you are coming in. How revives work is on the revives page.

Voice chat

The game has proximity voice chat, and PlaySide calls it the recommended way to play. Dead Beans can still talk, as a floating walkie-talkie with a static filter (Dot Esports), and the megaphone throws your voice much further. If your microphone is not detected, see connection and voice fixes.

Keep everyone on the same version

PlaySide says you cannot play multiplayer if you are not on the latest version. On Steam, verify the game files; on PS5, highlight the game, press Options and choose Check for Update; on Xbox, go to My Games & Apps > Manage > Updates.

Certifications that need a full crew

Restroom Rescue asks you to revive three other Beans with a single use of a Port-a-loo, which is only possible with four players. Living Legend asks you to be the only Bean left alive when a Job is completed. The full list is on the achievements page.

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