To play Cluck and Tag with friends, the host must select 'The Coop' from the main menu, choose 'Host Private Match,' and then share the six-digit Lobby Code with their friends who will use the 'Join with Code' option. This is the fastest and most reliable way to get a private game started with your chosen crew, bypassing the chaos of public matchmaking entirely.
This guide breaks down every step of the process, from lobby creation and game mode selection to navigating the tricky waters of cross-platform play and fixing the most common connection errors. We’ll get your flock together and ready for the farmyard frenzy.
How Do You Create a Private Lobby?
Setting up a private server, or 'Coop,' is a straightforward process designed to get you into the game with minimal fuss. The entire system is managed from a single screen in the main menu. Follow these steps precisely to ensure your lobby is configured correctly.
Step 1: Navigate to The Coop
From the game's main menu, you'll see several options like 'Public Match,' 'Tutorial,' 'Hangar,' and 'The Coop.' Select 'The Coop' to enter the multiplayer hub. This is where all private and friend-based activities are managed. The game will connect to the primary Cluck and Tag servers and display your currently online friends from your platform's friend list.
Step 2: Hosting Your Private Match
Once inside The Coop, you have two primary choices: 'Host Private Match' or 'Join with Code.' As the host, you'll select the former. This immediately creates a new, empty lobby and designates you as the server host.
Upon creation, two critical things happen:
- A six-digit alphanumeric 'Lobby Code' is generated and displayed prominently at the top of the screen (e.g.,
BOKBOK). This code is the key for your friends to join. - The game mode and map selection options become available to you. As the host, you have complete control over the game's settings before the match begins.
Step 3: Inviting Your Friends
With your lobby active and the Lobby Code in hand, you have two methods for getting your friends into the game:
- Direct Invite: On the right side of the screen, you'll see a list of your online friends. Simply click on a friend's name and select the 'Invite to Coop' option. This will send them a platform-level notification (e.g., a Steam or Xbox invite) that they can accept to join your lobby instantly.
- Lobby Code: The most universal method. Share the six-digit Lobby Code with your friends via Discord, text message, or any other communication app. They will then launch Cluck and Tag, navigate to 'The Coop,' select 'Join with Code,' and enter the code you provided. This method is essential for cross-platform play.
Once a friend joins, their Chook character will appear in one of the four slots in the lobby. The fifth, larger slot is reserved for the Farmer. Players can swap roles by selecting their character and choosing 'Switch to Farmer' or 'Switch to Chook,' provided the role is available.
Cluck And Tag in-game screenshot
What Are the Different Game Modes You Can Play?
As the host, you can choose from three distinct game modes, each offering a unique set of objectives for both the Chook Crew and the lone Farmer. Understanding these is key to planning your strategy, especially when playing with a coordinated team.
| Game Mode | Chook Crew Objective | Farmer Objective | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Tag | Survive for 10 minutes or have at least one Chook escape through one of two exit gates after 5 generators are repaired. | Capture all four Chooks by putting them in the coop three times each. | New players and classic asymmetrical horror fans. |
| Corn Heist | Steal a total of 12 bags of corn from various silos and deliver them to the escape truck. | Prevent the Chooks from stealing all the corn before the 15-minute timer runs out. Capturing Chooks temporarily removes them from play. | Teams who excel at stealth and coordinated objective runs. |
| Golden Egg Hunt | Locate and secure three Golden Eggs that spawn sequentially around the map. Holding an egg reveals your aura to the Farmer. | Find and capture the Chook holding the Golden Egg. Downing the egg-carrier resets the egg's location. | High-action, chaotic fun with a constantly moving objective. |
The host selects the mode and map before the match starts. All players in the lobby can see the selected settings. Once everyone has readied up by clicking the 'Ready' button, the host can launch the match.
Can You Play Cross-Platform?
Yes, but with some important limitations. Cluck and Tag supports cross-platform play, but not between all systems. This is often the biggest point of confusion for new groups trying to connect.
Cluck And Tag in-game screenshot
As of the latest patch (Update 4.1, "Barnyard Brawl"), the cross-play compatibility is as follows:
- PC (Steam) and Xbox Players: These players can play together seamlessly. A PC player can host a lobby and invite Xbox friends using the Lobby Code method, and vice-versa. In-game voice chat is also cross-platform between these two systems.
- PlayStation Players: The PlayStation ecosystem is currently siloed. Players on PS4 and PS5 can only play with other PlayStation users. They cannot join lobbies hosted by PC or Xbox players, and their Lobby Codes will not work for players on other platforms.
- Nintendo Switch Players: The Switch version of the game does not currently support cross-play with any other platform.
The developers have acknowledged the community's request for full cross-play functionality, but have not provided a timeline for its implementation. For now, ensure your entire friend group is on a compatible set of platforms before planning your game night.
Troubleshooting Common Connection Problems
Sometimes, even with the right code and compatible platforms, you'll run into network issues. These are the most common culprits and their solutions.
The "Failed to Join Lobby" Error
This is the most frequent issue and is almost always caused by one of three things:
- Incorrect Code: The player trying to join has mistyped the six-digit Lobby Code. Have them double-check it. Remember, the codes are case-sensitive.
- Outdated Game Version: If a player hasn't updated their game to the latest patch, they won't be able to join lobbies hosted by players on the new version. Everyone in the group must be on the same game version.
- Strict NAT Type: A player's network settings may be preventing a peer-to-peer connection. A player with a "Strict" or "Type 3" NAT will often be unable to join lobbies hosted by others. The best solution is for the person with the most "Open" NAT Type to be the host.
Cluck And Tag in-game screenshot
High Ping and Lag
Cluck and Tag uses a peer-to-peer hosting system for private matches. This means the host's internet connection is acting as the server. If the host has a slow upload speed or is geographically distant from the other players, everyone will experience lag.
To fix this, have the player with the strongest, most stable internet connection act as the host. You can check your ping to the host in the lobby screen; if it's consistently above 150ms, you're likely in for a choppy experience. Consider switching hosts to see if it improves the connection for the majority of the group.
My Friends Don't Appear Online
If you can't see a friend in the in-game friends list for a direct invite, it's usually a platform-level privacy issue. Have your friend check their console or Steam privacy settings to ensure their 'Online Status' is visible to friends. If this doesn't work, simply fall back on the reliable Lobby Code method, which bypasses the friends list entirely.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players can be in a private lobby? A lobby in Cluck and Tag supports a minimum of two and a maximum of five players. For a match to start, you need at least one Farmer and one Chook.
Can we have a lobby with only friends? Yes. By selecting 'Host Private Match,' your lobby is invite-only by default. No random players can join unless they have your specific Lobby Code.
Can you play 1v1? Absolutely. The game is balanced for a 1v4 experience, but you can start a match with just one Farmer and one Chook. It's a great way to practice mechanics or settle a score with a friend.
Do we earn experience points in private matches? Yes. You earn the same amount of XP, Blood Corn (the in-game currency), and progress on daily challenges in private matches as you do in public ones. There is no penalty for playing with friends.
A Final Peck of Advice
The best part of Cluck and Tag is the frantic, hilarious chaos that erupts when playing with people you know. The key is communication. Use the in-game voice chat or, even better, a third-party app like Discord to coordinate your movements as Chooks or to taunt your prey as the Farmer. A well-oiled team of Chooks communicating escape routes and generator progress is a Farmer's worst nightmare. Now get your coop organized and show that Farmer who really rules the roost.