Starsand Island Platforms, Price & Multiplayer Explained
Last updated 2026-08-25 · Based on version 1.0 and community sources — items marked “TBC” are awaiting verification.
Starsand Island 1.0 launched August 18, 2026 on PC (Steam), Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, priced around $39.99 with a launch discount running on most stores. Multiplayer supports up to 4 players online — but there's no cross-platform play and island progress isn't shared, so pick your platform carefully.
Price and Availability by Platform
| Platform | Status | Price (US) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Out — 1.0 on Aug 18, 2026 (EA since Feb 11) | $39.99, launch sale $31.99 (¥98 / ¥78.40 in China) | Windows only — no macOS or Linux |
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Out — Aug 18, 2026 | $31.99 on sale; base price not shown on the store page (TBC) | Switch 2 only — there is no original Switch version; 9.7 GB |
| PlayStation 5 | Out — Aug 18, 2026 | $39.99, sale $31.99 to Sep 14; Deluxe $59.99 | PS5 only (no PS4); DualSense support; online play needs PS Plus |
| Xbox Series X|S | Out — in Early Access since Feb 11, 2026 | $39.49, sale $31.59; Deluxe bundle $59.49 | Optimized for Series X|S; not in Game Pass, but cloud-streamable with Premium/Ultimate after purchase |
A physical release for PS5 and Switch 2 has been reported for November 12, 2026 at $39.99, but only by a single outlet with no official announcement found (TBC). Developer and publisher on every store: Seed Sparkle Lab.
Multiplayer: What "Up to 4 Players" Actually Means
Online multiplayer arrived with 1.0 — the official announcement promises you can "farm, fish, build, explore, and enjoy island life together" with up to four players, a figure confirmed identically by the Steam, Nintendo, and PlayStation store pages. Key mechanics from the official pre-launch post:
- Host-based islands: the host picks Anyone Can Join, Request to Join, or Password Required. Official tip for Switch 2 players: set your island to Password Required to invite friends.
- Progress is not shared: "Your island progress is not shared in multiplayer" — each player keeps their own island, and some quests are tied to whichever island you're standing on.
- Permission controls: hosts grant visitors access per category — Crops, Livestock, Fishing, Crafting — and can change it anytime.
- Multiplayer Coins: a separate currency earned by playing together, spent in a dedicated Multiplayer Shop.
- No cross-platform play: official statement — "cross-platform multiplayer is not currently supported. We're looking into the possibilities." No date promised.
Be aware of a common complaint in reviews: multiplayer unlocks only after a few hours of single-player story progress, and guests' session gains largely benefit the host's island.
Which Version Should You Buy?
- Best overall: PC (Steam). Patches land on PC first — the official policy is that console updates follow each platform's certification process — and it's the only platform with modding activity. No Mac/Linux support, though.
- Console caveat: critic reviews of the Switch 2 version in particular cite heavy bugs and performance issues at launch, so console buyers may want to wait a patch cycle or two.
- Playing with friends? Everyone needs the same platform (no cross-play), and PS5 players also need PS Plus for online sessions.
- Xbox streamers: the game isn't in Game Pass; you must buy it, after which Premium/Ultimate tiers can cloud-stream it.