Airframe Ultra Multiplayer and Co-op: How to Play with Friends

Can I play Airframe Ultra with friends?

Yes. Airframe Ultra is built around competing with other people, and its Steam listing includes online multiplayer, shared/split-screen play, and both online and shared-screen co-op alongside the racing itself. The store page describes it as a fast-paced battle-racer where you "compete with friends and foes in split-screen and online multiplayer," so both same-screen sessions and online matches are officially supported.

What multiplayer modes are available?

The Steam feature list covers a whole cluster of multiplayer options: Multi-player, PvP, Online PvP, Shared/Split Screen PvP, Co-op, Online Co-op, Shared/Split Screen Co-op, and plain Shared/Split Screen. The headline mode is racing with combat, with weapons like pipes, chains and plasma torches on the track, but hitting the finish line isn't the only path — knocking rivals out of contention is part of the design. According to MonsterVine's launch write-up, the competition "operates without referees or a rulebook," which fits the anything-goes pitch on the store page.

How does online multiplayer work?

Online play is listed on Steam, and the store's minimum and recommended specs both list a broadband internet connection. As for the fiddly details — lobbies, matchmaking, player counts per match, crossplay — the store page doesn't spell them out, so treat specifics as unconfirmed until the developers post them. The developers have said that the 1.0 launch is deliberately focused on "the fundamentals of the game," with more content planned in quarterly updates, so the multiplayer suite may grow after release.

Can I play split-screen with a friend?

Yes — shared and split-screen play is explicitly listed on Steam for both PvP and co-op, and the store description talks up competing "in split-screen and online multiplayer." How many players fit on one screen isn't documented on the store page, so the exact local player count is one of those details players will have to check in-game or in the official Discord.

Is there co-op?

Steam lists Co-op, Online Co-op and Shared/Split Screen Co-op among the game's features, so yes, cooperative play is officially supported. That said, the store description only ever describes competitive racing and fighting, and the official announcements don't explain how co-op is structured — whether it's team racing, a separate mode, or something unlocked later. The honest answer: it's listed, but its shape isn't documented yet, and the official announcements do not describe it.

What are the system requirements for online play?

Here's the full spec sheet as listed on the store page.

Both tiers also note that a gamepad is "highly recommended for optimal steering control." Steam lists full controller support, and the store tags it Gamepad Recommended while still offering a Keyboard Only option — handy if a friend wants to join a split-screen session on keyboard while you steer with a pad. Valve's official Steam Deck status for the game is currently "Not yet reviewed," and Valve's test results section lists none at this time.

A pricing note for planning a launch-week session: the October devlog said the game would launch at $12.99 with a 25% discount for the first 14 days, putting the launch discount price at $9.74 — which matches the current price shown on the Steam store page.

Related guides

• Airframe Ultra Art Style and Setting: Megacity West Explained
• Airframe Ultra Beta: A History of Playtests and What's Next
• How to Report Bugs in Airframe Ultra