What the official notes confirm
OFFICIAL The beta launched with patch 1.1.4. Players can wear costumes and organize together. The exact supported party size is map-dependent, so the lobby's current limit is the authoritative answer for the selected map.
The patch 1.1.6 announcement says the third map can be played solo but was designed with multiplayer in mind. It also says the developer is monitoring stability, localization, and optimization while preparing the official multiplayer release. That wording matters: the current feature is usable, but still explicitly beta.
How the host save rule works
One player should own the continuing run. The official patch notes say multiplayer progress is saved only in the host's save file. A guest should not expect the same shared store state to appear when launching alone or hosting a separate session.
Choose the long-term host. Pick the person most likely to be present for future sessions.
Confirm the map before organizing. Original, Dream, and the third map use different counts and layouts.
Invite the group after the host loads the intended save. This reduces confusion between a new lobby and the continuing run.
Pause risky changes near the end. Let the host verify that the run has saved before the group exits.
Use official recovery tools first. If progress is missing, check the backup selector and Steam Cloud before editing files.
Divide work without duplicating it
GUIDE ADVICE Assign broad sections rather than individual products. One player can clear produce and chilled goods while another handles pantry, cleaning, or electronics. On the largest map, agree on a handoff zone for products that clearly belong to another player's route.
Use voice or short labels for red-tag problems. If two players both move the same family, the team creates more floor clutter and loses the advantage of parallel work. Finder skills are most helpful when a player owns one area and can act on the highlight immediately.
Beta limits and safe claims
| Question | Current answer | Source strength |
|---|---|---|
| Is co-op live? | Yes, as a beta. | Official patch 1.1.4 |
| How many players? | Two to four depending on map. | Official patch 1.1.4 |
| Who keeps progress? | The host save only. | Official patch 1.1.4 |
| Is the beta fully stable? | No official guarantee; monitoring continues. | Official patch 1.1.6 |
| Does the third map require co-op? | No. Solo is supported. | Official patch 1.1.6 |
This Supermarket Chaos multiplayer page does not invent room codes, cross-platform support, guest-save transfer, or a final beta end date. Check the live lobby and current announcements when those details matter.
Before a longer session, all players should update to the same patch, let the intended host load first, and confirm that everyone sees the same map. Record the host and map in the group's chat so the next session resumes from the right owner. If a lobby limit differs from an older guide, trust the current game interface.
Treat Supermarket Chaos multiplayer as a shared route with one save owner: agree on responsibilities before moving products, and let the host close the session only after the final state is confirmed.