MULTIPLAYER BUGGED

cannot create multiplayer lobby even if servers were down we should be able to do LAN!

from Stardock.net Forums

Multiplayer BUG: Cannot Create Game – GalacticNetHost.exe Missing From Install

 

- Exact Version of Windows, Game, or Application

Windows Version: Windows 10 Pro, Version 22H2 (OS Build 19045.4651)

(Verified via winver.exe — screenshot available on request)

 

Game Version: Offworld Trading Company (Steam – Latest build as of July 2025)

 

Install Source: Steam, fully updated, tested across all beta branches

 

- New or Existing Issue

This is a new issue, seemingly introduced by a recent game update or packaging change.

 

Affects all multiplayer hosting — Online, LAN, and Direct IP.

 

Clicking “Create Game” results in nothing happening — no lobby, no crash, no error.

 

Verified this issue is occurring for multiple users, not isolated to my machine.

 

The issue persists even on a fresh install and after testing all available beta versions.

 

Appears to have started around mid-July 2025.

 

- How to Reproduce

Launch Offworld Trading Company (latest Steam version).

 

Go to Multiplayer → Create Game.

 

Select Online or LAN → Click Create Game.

 

Nothing happens. No server is created.

 

Task Manager confirms GalacticNetHost.exe does not launch in the background.

 

- Root Cause (maybe)

After a clean reinstall, I checked the game directory:

 

java

Copy

Edit

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Offworld Trading Company\

Expected to find:

 

csharp

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Edit

GalacticNetHost.exe  ←  This file is missing

This file is critical for hosting multiplayer matches (LAN and online) and appears to be missing from all Steam versions (public + beta). Multiplayer cannot function without it.

 

- Attempted Fixes (All Failed)

Steam file integrity verification

 

Full uninstall + reinstall (including manual cleanup of game folders)

 

Tested across multiple beta versions

 

Tried with firewall disabled and running as administrator

 

Checked for GalacticNetHost.exe in install folder and background processes — it never launches

 

- Images \ Video \ Saves

 Attached Screenshot: Current install folder (no GalacticNetHost.exe present)

 

- Request

Please confirm if this file was unintentionally excluded from the latest builds. Multiplayer is completely broken as a result. A repack or hotfix including GalacticNetHost.exe would likely resolve this issue for all affected users. This game is not too popular but is one of a kind and is loved by a select few, please don't take that away from us! if anything this game could get so much traction if aimed towards those who like stocks and trading crypto!

 

Thank you for your time and support!

multiplayer pvp coop bug offworld trading company
59,246 views 7 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello Support,

 

i have the same problems. I have payed the game today for my son and me. Now we can´t play in multiplayer mode.

Please fix this problem. Thank you.

@Anomaly417 Thank you for your detailed informationen.

 

Best regards and thank you for your support.

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Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Hi all,

I can confirm the same issues although I've not looked at what missing files are within the directory, the same behaviours are experienced on Windows 11 as well.

 

I flagged this on the Discord channel but was directed here by a separate member after it was suggested this would be the better place to log errors and issues.

 

Cheers,

 

Robert

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Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from AshesoftheSingularity Forums Top

Hello guys, we are aware of the issues with Offworld, and are actively investigating a solution. Thank you for all the detailed posts!

For a workaround, see message below:

As of July 7th, Unity's UNET service was discontinued, which completely broke multiplayer for Offworld. Apologies for picking up on that so late and not having any plan in place to deal with it, but we'll look to get something working again as soon as possible. In the meantime, single player remains functional and players on Steam may still be able to switch to version 1.21.27686 (available through Properties > Betas) for multiplayer lobbies.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

Can we have Lan connections? or self hosted lobbies? cause the game is starting to die online, and id still like to play with my bro

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

Try the next_version branch instead! It’s way more stable than the 2019 build mentioned above. If the lobby list looks empty, just restart the game and they should pop up.