The course has been set, but not everything is smooth sailing for Windrose's launch.
Windrose’s Early Access debut is off to a strong start, peaking at 97,981 concurrent players on Steam, but its co-op systems have quickly run into rough seas. The co-op survival title has already drawn strong engagement, having caught the attention of about 1 million players during February's Steam Next Fest, with wishlists going up to 1.5 million before they announced the game's release.
However, online stability has proven inconsistent across regions, leaving some crews struggling to stay in the same session. As players jumped into PvE runs, connectivity issues surfaced across regions, prompting developer Kraken Express to make an unusual call for help through its Discord server, reaching out for contacts at major internet service providers.
Why are Windrose's co-op servers not working properly?
In a message posted on the game's official Discord server, shortly after launch, Kraken Express acknowledged that the core multiplayer experience, arguably the backbone of Windrose, is not performing as intended.
“Co-op is where many of the game’s most memorable moments come to life. Unfortunately, we know that connectivity hasn’t been as smooth as it should be, and we’re working hard to identify and resolve the issues as quickly as possible.”
The team noted that multiple reports point to interference at the network level, particularly affecting players in Europe and North America. Some backend services and server addresses appear to be restricted or blocked by certain ISPs, though the exact cause remains unclear.
To be transparent, the developers stated that they are still investigating the root of the issue, adding that they do not yet have a definitive answer, but are actively working to resolve it.
Windrose devs ask for players for ISP help to fix co-op connectivity
Rather than relying solely on internal fixes, Kraken Express has taken the unusual step of asking the community for industry connections. “If you happen to work with, or know someone at a major EU/NA ISPs who might be open to speaking with us, we would truly appreciate an introduction. It could make a real difference in improving co-op connectivity for everyone.”
The developers reiterated that external insight could help pinpoint the issue faster, encouraging players to reach out directly via Discord if they have relevant contacts.
Windrose server routing concerns raised by players
Separate from the Discord message, reports highlighted by PC Gamer point to concerns around Windrose’s backend routing. Steam user Headbasha flagged that the dedicated server setup appeared to be connecting to a Russian endpoint, specifically a URL that routes to an IP address located in Moscow.
This detail was not directly addressed in Kraken Express’ Discord post. However, the developers did acknowledge broader backend concerns, stating that some services used for co-op may be restricted or blocklisted by ISPs across Europe and North America.
They added that they are still trying to determine what is causing the disruption, noting that something is “clearly interfering along the way,” while continuing to investigate the issue.
Windrose dedicated server issues and hotfix plans
Alongside connectivity issues, players have flagged limitations in Windrose’s dedicated server setup. Reports highlight a lack of standard features, such as connecting via a specific forwarded port, which has added friction for those attempting to host private sessions.
Kraken Express confirmed that fixes are already in progress, stating that “several hotfixes are already in development,” while also sharing a basic troubleshooting guide for affected players. The team noted that current solutions may not cover every case and that ongoing feedback is helping shape further fixes as they patch things up.
Kraken Express closed its message by thanking players for their patience, emphasising that community support remains key as they work through launch-day hurdles and chart a steadier course towards a full release.
