You and a friend finished the tutorial and are sitting in the hub, but you cannot figure out how to generate a Host Code, share it, and actually get into the same 2-player session. Players on launch day keep hitting the same wall: they look for Steam, PSN, or Xbox friend invites first, then get stuck because the reliable method is the in-game Host Code.

1Host and Join With a Code

2Key Decisions

DecisionChoose this if
Private plus Host CodeYou only want your friend. This is the option launch-day players are asking for.
Public or Quick MatchYou want a random second Nephilim.
Who hostsHost on the more stable connection. Co-op is peer-to-peer. The better connection should host.
CrossplayYes. Steam, Epic, PS5, and Xbox can share the same code. Console players still need PS Plus or Xbox Game Pass Core or Essential for online. PC does not.
If a friend on PS5 says they only see friends or no matchmaking, they still use Join Via Code after you host. Platform friend lists are not the main path.

Common Mistakes to Avoid