Grounded 2 is the co-op survival game where multiplayer is not optional — it is the experience the game was built around. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment (and Eidos-Montréal per Wikipedia) and published by Xbox Game Studios, Grounded 2 launched in Early Access on July 29, 2025, and arrives on PlayStation 5 on August 11, 2026 alongside its next major content update.
Grounded 2 is a survival action-adventure video game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Xbox Game Studios. A sequel to Grounded, it was announced during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2025 and was released in early access on July 29, 2025, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S through Steam Early Access and Xbox Game Preview. The game will be released in early access on August 11, 2026, for PlayStation 5.
How Multiplayer Works in Grounded 2
Grounded 2 supports up to 4 players in co-op, carrying forward the same multiplayer structure that made the original Grounded’s “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” survival loop so popular in co-op.
In the co-op session:
- One player hosts the world and all progress saves to their game file
- Guests contribute to construction, combat, and exploration with full participation
- Inventory and crafting are shared: any player can access the group’s resource pool
- Death in co-op means respawning at the last used rest point rather than a permanent wipe
The Buggies system introduced in Grounded 2 adds a co-op dimension the original game did not have: players can coordinate Buggy operations with one player driving and others providing combat support or repair.
Platforms and Game Pass
| Platform | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series X/S | Available now (Game Preview) | Game Pass Ultimate or purchase |
| Windows PC | Available now (Steam Early Access / Xbox) | PC Game Pass or purchase |
| PlayStation 5 | August 11, 2026 | Purchase (no PS Plus) |
| Xbox Game Pass | Day one | Included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass |
Into the Abyss Update: August 11, 2026
Launching alongside the PlayStation 5 release is the next major content update, Into the Abyss. This update opens the pond, giving players an entirely new area to explore both above and below the water’s surface. It’s one of the biggest additions to the game so far and brings new locations to discover, new progression paths to pursue, and new dangers waiting both above and below the water.
The pond area represents a vertical design challenge: above the surface is a different experience from below it, and the transition between the two is a core feature of the update.
Full Content Update History
Post-launch updates during early access include: Hairy and Scary (September 2025) adding the tarantula boss AXL and related equipment, Toxic Tangle (January 2026) introducing the Garden area, the Ladybug Buggy, and new gear and creatures, and Beat the Heat (April 2026) introducing the Sinkhole Anthill area, boss King Dozer, a Black Soldier Ant Buggy, and additional progression systems.
Player Count and Reception
Within two weeks of release, the game had reached more than 3 million players. It was later nominated for Best Early Access Game at the Golden Joystick Awards in 2025.
Multiplayer Checklist Before August 11
Xbox/PC players: download Into the Abyss update on August 11
PS5 players: game available from August 11 with the full Early Access build plus Into the Abyss
All platforms: co-op sessions need voice communication for Abyss area coordination
Stock crafting materials before entering Into the Abyss for the first time
Play Grounded 2 Co-Op with ExitLag
Grounded 2’s co-op sessions use host-based networking. Connection instability between the host and guest players causes position desync, crafting failures, and the dropped-item problems that frustrate co-op runs. ExitLag routes your connection to Steam and Xbox servers through the lowest-latency path available, keeping every co-op partner synchronized with the host’s game state.
Download ExitLag and try it free.
Grounded 2 and related marks are trademarks of Obsidian Entertainment and Xbox Game Studios. Used for informational and educational purposes only.
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