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Multiplayer and co-op mode in Forager – how it works

The cancellation of the official multiplayer update and the emergence of community-made mods

Forager, a popular indie game developed by HopFrog, captured the hearts of players around the world with its addictive gameplay and charming visuals. An expansive world filled with exploration, resource gathering, and crafting, Forager quickly became a fan-favorite. However, despite its success, fans were left eagerly awaiting the promised multiplayer update, only to be disappointed when it was officially canceled by the developer.

The Promised Multiplayer Update

From the early stages of development, multiplayer was touted as a key feature that would be added to Forager. It was an exciting prospect for players who wanted to collaborate and explore the world of Forager together with their friends. The promise of experiencing the game’s unique mechanics and challenges in a cooperative setting sparked the imagination of fans and created a sense of anticipation.

The Cancellation Announcement

In a surprising twist, the developer of Forager, Mariano Cavallero, announced on April 13, 2021, that the highly anticipated multiplayer update was officially canceled. Cavallero took full responsibility for this decision, expressing disappointment in himself for the failure to deliver on the promised feature. He clarified that the cancellation was not due to any shortcomings on the part of the development team but instead a personal failing as a leader.

The Modding Solution: PenPal and PencilPal

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Despite the cancellation of the official multiplayer update, the Forager community is known for its resourcefulness and dedication. In response to the disappointment, modders took it upon themselves to create alternative multiplayer solutions for the game. This led to the creation of mods like PenPal and PencilPal.

PenPal Mod

PenPal is one of the initial attempts at introducing multiplayer capabilities to Forager. This mod enables players to connect with their friends and embark on a multiplayer adventure together. By using port forwarding on the host’s router, players can establish a connection and explore the world of Forager simultaneously. However, it is important to note that PenPal is still in the experimental phase and may exhibit bugs or crashes.

PencilPal Mod (BETA)

Building upon the foundation set by PenPal, the PencilPal mod aims to provide a more stable multiplayer experience. Developed by the same creator, the PencilPal mod takes lessons learned from the earlier project and incorporates improvements to enhance connectivity and reduce issues. It is important to keep in mind that PencilPal is still in the beta stage, meaning there may still be some bugs and instability present.

Here’s a tutorial how to play co-op in Forager with PenciPal Mod:

Multiplayer tutorial for Forager

The journey towards multiplayer in Forager has been tumultuous. While the cancellation of the official multiplayer update was undoubtedly disappointing, the Forager community has shown resilience by developing their own solutions. Mods like PenPal and PencilPal offer an opportunity for players to embark on cooperative adventures in Forager, albeit with some potential instability. Despite the challenges faced, the passion of the Forager community continues to drive the exploration of multiplayer possibilities within the game.

(Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the current state of Forager and its multiplayer mods at the time of writing. Development and updates may occur, affecting the accuracy or availability of multiplayer features. It is always recommended to refer to the official sources and community discussions for the most up-to-date information.)

About the author

Tom Henry

I worked as a PM in video games, now I'm trying some new things.

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