Shared Story is Directive 8020's online co-op. Two players split control of the five protagonists across the full 8-episode campaign, with independent choices that converge on a shared ending state. It's Supermassive's third iteration of the mode after Man of Medan and The Quarry — refined here with full crossplay and reduced sync overhead.
Character split
| Player | Protagonists |
|---|---|
| Player 1 (host) | Brianna, Naomi |
| Player 2 (joiner) | Akin, Riley |
| Either player | Thomas — switches per chapter |
How to start
- Sign into a free Supermassive Games account (in-game prompt).
- Main menu → Shared Story → Host new session.
- Invite friend via Supermassive username (crossplay supported).
- Joiner accepts — session opens at host's chapter checkpoint.
- Host's save file is the authoritative copy.
What's different from solo play
- Dialogue choices — each player picks for their assigned protagonist. No vetoes.
- QTE failures — affect only the failing player's character.
- Cutscenes — both players watch; only the active player can input.
- Pause — host-only; joiner can request via menu.
- Saves — only the host's progress persists. Joiner cannot replay solo from the same save.
Save-everyone in Shared Story
Harder than solo because both players have to commit to the route. Use voice chat. Brief the joiner before Episode 2 (antenna ridge), Episode 4 (triage order) and Episode 5 (stealth + loadlifter). The Episode 8 finale is the failure point most groups hit — pre-agree on 'Reveal' for Ending A before starting.
FAQ
What is Shared Story in Directive 8020?
Shared Story is the online co-op mode. Two players each control a subset of the five protagonists across the campaign, making independent choices that affect the shared ending. Crossplay is supported across PS5, Xbox and Steam.
How do you start Shared Story in Directive 8020?
Sign into a free Supermassive Games account, open the main menu, select Shared Story, then invite a friend via username. The host's progress dictates chapter checkpoints.
Is Shared Story the same as Movie Night?
No. Shared Story is online co-op for 2 players. Movie Night is local pass-the-pad multiplayer for up to 5 players. The two modes are mutually exclusive — you can't have Shared Story players plus Movie Night players in the same run.
Does Shared Story have crossplay?
Yes. Crossplay is supported between PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam via friend invite. Cross-save is not supported — saves stay on the host's platform.
Does Shared Story affect trophies?
Most trophies unlock for both players. The platinum / Crew Manifest still requires a save-everyone outcome, which is harder in Shared Story because both players' choices count.