Is The Alters a co-op title?

The Alters, which was released on June 13, 2025, may seem like a game that would support co-op, considering its crew system and survival mechanics. But if you have been wondering whether you can play it with a friend, or if it is a local or online multiplayer game, you will be disappointed.

The Alters is not a co-op title. It is a deep, story-driven survival experience where every crewmember is just a different version of you. This article explores more.

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The Alters is a single-player experience only, with no co-op or multiplayer features

On the surface, the whole idea of the game — duplicating yourself to form a team — feels like it’s begging for co-op. But it’s actually the opposite. You play as Jan Dolski, a stranded survivor on a hostile planet, where he creates alternate versions of himself. These “Alters” aren’t other players, they’re versions of you, shaped by different paths you could’ve taken in life.

So, every crewmember in your base? It's still Jan, just with different experiences, skills, and regrets.

11 bit studios didn't think of multiplayer when they designed the game, and at the time of writing, there's no secret mode, local splitscreen, or online co-op. And, honestly, going co-op would undercut what the title is trying to say. You’re not meant to depend on others — you’re supposed to deal with the what-ifs of your own life.

Available platforms

The Alters launched globally on June 13, 2025, on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. It’s also part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate as a day-one title, so subscribers can jump in immediately without paying the full price.

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System requirements

If you’re looking to play on PC, here are the official system requirements:

Minimum system requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 or later, 64-bit
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600, Intel Core i7-6700
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 570, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, Intel Arc A570. 6+ GB video memory
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 50 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Disk

Recommended system requirements:

• OS: Windows 10 or later, 64-bit
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, Intel Core i7-8700K
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070, Intel Arc A770. 8+ GB video memory
• DirectX: Version 12
• Storage: 50 GB available space
• Additional Notes: SSD Disk.
• For 4K Graphics, you will need: AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080. 10+ GB video memory

Check out: How to make food for your crew in The Alters