Fast answer
Use a private server when you only want friends. Use a public server when you are comfortable with strangers joining. Steam describes 2-10 players as recommended, while the maximum can depend on the host's network environment and future playtests.
| Server choice | Use it when | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Private | You want only invited friends | Players need the right invite/path |
| Public | You want strangers to join freely | Room behavior is less predictable |
| Viewer game | A streamer wants audience participation | Needs clear room rules and title/description notes |
| Group size | Best use | Host note |
|---|---|---|
| 2 players | Learning the Hider and Seeker loop slowly. | Good for teaching, but less chaotic than a full room. |
| 3-5 players | Small friend sessions where players can talk through mistakes. | Keep the room private if you want a controlled first night. |
| 6-10 players | Busier hide-and-seek sessions with more scanning pressure. | Plan expectations before the match because the official recommended range tops out at 10 in the checked source. |
| More than 10 | Do not assume support from this guide. | Check the current game page and host/network notes before planning around it. |
Before opening a room
Agree on the type of match first. If you are teaching friends, start with a small room so everyone can learn Hider painting and Seeker scanning. If you open the server publicly, expect players with different skill levels and different expectations.
The official page says public servers that are not set to private can be joined freely. That is useful for quick matches, but it is not the same as a controlled friend-only session.
Set the room up for the session you want
Before inviting people, decide whether the room should be private or public. Tell friends the intended player count, whether beginners are welcome, and whether you are rotating roles for learning. If the room is public, write or say the expectation clearly so strangers understand whether it is a casual room, a viewer room, or a more focused match.
Because server menus and invite paths can change, this guide does not describe exact buttons. Use the live game UI for the current steps and keep this checklist focused on decisions that matter no matter where the button sits.
Recommended players
The Steam source says 2-10 players are recommended and notes that this may change after future playtests. Treat that as a practical planning range rather than a permanent hard cap. For a first group night, fewer players make it easier to learn the stage, while larger groups make hiding and searching more chaotic.
Private or public?
Choose private when the main value is playing with known people: first-time friends, a planned party, or a teaching session. Choose public when the main value is filling the room quickly and accepting unpredictable play. Public rooms are useful for seeing different hiding styles, but they can also make it harder to pause, explain, or keep a beginner-friendly pace.
If one friend is new, private is usually the cleaner first session. After everyone understands Hider painting and Seeker scanning, public rooms become easier to read and less frustrating.
Streamer participation notes
The official description welcomes gameplay videos and streaming. It asks streamers to include the game name in the title and says the Steam store URL in the description is optional. If you host viewer participation games, explain whether the room is public, how viewers join, and what behavior will get a player removed.
For viewer sessions, keep rules simple: whether viewers may join mid-session, whether voice chat is required, and whether intentionally revealing Hiders is allowed. Those are host rules, not hidden game mechanics, so state them before the match rather than assuming everyone shares the same etiquette.
How to brief a group before round one
Before inviting friends, explain the match in one sentence: Hiders paint and pose to look like the stage; Seekers search for visual mismatches before time expires. Then set expectations for the room. A private room is best when you want only invited players or streamer viewers joining through a controlled flow. A public room is better when you are comfortable with strangers entering freely. If several players are new, start smaller within the 2-10 recommended range so everyone can understand why they were found.
After each round, ask every player for one observation, not a complaint. Hiders should name one paint or pose mistake. Seekers should name one clue that helped. That turns a casual group session into useful practice without needing unsupported server tricks.
A simple script for the host
Before the first round, say: this is hide-and-seek where Hiders paint themselves to blend into the stage and Seekers look for visual mismatches. Tell players whether the room is private or public, how many rounds you will use for learning, and whether stream viewers or strangers may join. After the first round, ask each Hider what gave them away and each Seeker what clue they noticed. This short script makes a group session smoother than relying on everyone to discover the etiquette alone.
After the room is ready
Send new players to the Hider vs Seeker rules before the first round. If the group struggles because Hiders are found too quickly, use the paint guide between rounds. If the group wants variety, check the Workshop guide and verify current custom map information on Steam before promising a specific stage.