Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest does not have traditional multiplayer: there is no online co-op, no split-screen and no live PvP, and every store lists it as a single-player game. What it does have is asynchronous online play: you can battle other players in Skirmish Mode, visit a friend’s camp, and help friends by crafting items or gifting them resources, without both of you needing to play at the same time.
The game launches October 23, 2026 on Switch 2, Switch, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam, the Epic Games Store and the Xbox app), from developer Bamtang Games and publisher Trailmark Games. Below we cover exactly what the online features do, what stays solo, and what is still unconfirmed, verified against Trailmark’s site and the store listings as of October 13, 2026, with the PC stores rechecked on October 22.
What the Official Listings Say
Every storefront agrees on the basics:
- Steam lists Single-player, with no online or co-op category, plus achievements, Steam Cloud and full controller support.
- PlayStation Store lists “1 player” and “Online play optional” for the PS5 version.
- Nintendo eShop lists the Switch and Switch 2 versions as single player, with no local or online player count.
- Xbox Store lists Single player among its features.
“Online play optional” is the key phrase. The online features add to the game, but nothing requires a friend to be playing alongside you.
Skirmish Mode: Asynchronous Battles
The game has three modes, per the official Steam page:
- Prophecy Mode: four original stories about the trials and tribulations of Clan life. This is the main campaign, and it is single-player.
- Defender Mode: a single run against the game’s fiercest enemies to see how long you last.
- Skirmish Mode: “battle other players online asynchronously.”
Combat is turn-based, with up to 3 versus 3 battles and 75 combat moves to unlock. Asynchronous means the other player does not need to be online at the same time as you: you take on their cats, not the person in real time. Trailmark has not detailed rankings, rewards or how opponents are picked.
Camp Visits and Gifting
The other online features are social:
- Visit your friend’s camp online asynchronously. Trailmark’s site describes it as showing off your customized warrior to friends through “asynchronous online den visits.”
- Help friends by crafting items or gifting them the resources and materials they need.
Den decoration is a real system in the game: you unlock decorations and craft items like bedding and a scratching post, so a visit is a way to show off that work. As with Skirmish, your friend does not need to be online when you visit.
What Is Still Unconfirmed
Three questions do not have official answers yet:
- Crossplay. Neither Trailmark nor the store listings say whether Skirmish battles, camp visits or gifting work between platforms. Our guide to every platform covers what each version offers.
- Online subscriptions. The listings do not say whether the online features need PlayStation Plus or Nintendo Switch Online.
- Future updates. Trailmark has announced no co-op or real-time multiplayer update.
We will update this guide when launch details land. The Feral Edition, the pre-order bonus and every platform’s price are covered in our Feral Edition vs Standard guide.
If You Want to Play With Friends
If real co-op is what you are after, these will serve you better: our best Switch 2 co-op games of 2026, best PS5 co-op games of 2026 and best PC co-op games of 2026 lists all cover games built for playing together. For a cozy game with full online and split-screen co-op, see our guide to playing Stardew Valley co-op.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest have co-op? No. There is no online or local co-op. The story campaign, Prophecy Mode, is single-player.
Can you play against other players? Yes, asynchronously, in Skirmish Mode. You battle other players’ cats online without both people playing at the same time.
Is there split-screen? No. Every store lists the game as single-player, with no local multiplayer.
Can you visit friends in Warrior Cats: Clans of the Forest? Yes. You can visit a friend’s camp online asynchronously and help them by crafting items or gifting resources.
Is there crossplay? Trailmark has not said whether the online features work across platforms.
Do you need to be online to play? No. The PlayStation Store lists online play as optional. The online features named so far are Skirmish battles, camp visits and gifting; the story campaign is single-player.