How to Start Monster Hunter Wilds Beta Multiplayer

Monster Hunter Wilds is the next major entry in the beloved Capcom series. One of the premier parts of this game is hunting down hulking beasts alongside other players. Fortunately, multiplayer is available in the beta. Here’s how to start multiplayer in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta and whether or not it has crossplay functionality.

How to Play Multiplayer in Monster Hunter Wilds Beta

You can’t play multiplayer the second you start the beta. Instead, you have to play through the first mission of the story campaign. This is the one where you hunt down the Chatacabra and fight it as your first actual hunt. In the middle of this hunt, you gain access to the first way to play multiplayer: SOS Flares. You can send one of these by opening up the radial menu.

SOS Flares send out a call for other players to come help you out. However, it is a bit iffy. The main way to play multiplayer is to finish this first mission. From there, you can invite other players to your lobby through the Link Party feature in the main menu. Alternatively, you can join someone else’s lobby and play alongside them in the open world.

Is There Crossplay Multiplayer in the Beta?

The best part about the multiplayer situation in the Monster Hunter Wilds beta is, yes, there is crossplay available. Even though this is not the full release, which is still a few months away, players are able to enjoy crossplay right now. Every platform is able to play with one another, so PC with console, Xbox with PlayStation, and so on.

What you want to do is either create a lobby or find one that a friend on another platform has made. Then you are able to join and hunt alongside one another. Note that every party member must have crossplay on in the settings. You can disable this in the settings but it is a semi-permanent decision for each save. Instead, if you wish to limit platforms, I recommend changing your lobby settings to only allow players from your current platform. This ensures you have the option for crossplay in the future.

Monster Hunter Wilds releases for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC on February 28, 2025. The open beta is running until November 3, 2024.