Switchball Multiplayer Update Adds Races and Co-op on Steam

Atomic Elbow releases the multiplayer update

Atomic Elbow released the Switchball multiplayer update on Steam on November 4, 2026. The developer's announcement confirms online racing, cooperative play and a choice of public or private games. It also introduces a refreshed interface and a move to DirectX 12.

The announcement was published at 14:16 UTC on November 4. This is an update to the Windows game whose Steam release date remains May 17, 2021. The current store calls it Switchball, while the purchase option and some community pages retain the Switchball HD name. Both refer to Steam app 1588760.

Racing and cooperation give the course different goals

Online races support up to eight players. The objective is to finish ahead of the other balls. Cooperative play asks players to tackle levels together. Atomic Elbow describes playing with a friend but gives no separate co-op player limit in the release announcement.

The store explains that ball transformations supply different physical properties. A steel ball can move heavy objects, while the power ball has abilities such as a dash, jump or magnetism. In a race, deciding when to change form is part of getting through the course quickly. In cooperation, the store describes combining those properties to overcome obstacles together.

Choose who can join

The update supports public games and private games. The first option allows players to join others online. The second is intended for playing with friends. The announcement documents both choices without specifying an invitation code format or a cross-platform connection feature.

For a first session, agree whether the group wants to compete or solve a level together. Then choose the matching mode and who will start the game. A race's eight-player limit answers the size question for that mode. Use the co-op game's own player settings when organizing a cooperative session.

Windows requirements now list DirectX 12

Steam's current minimum requirements list 64-bit Windows 10, 4 GB RAM, DirectX 12 and 3 GB of storage. The November announcement explicitly identifies DirectX 12 as the game's new graphics foundation. Returning players can compare their current system with that listing before starting the updated build.

A later November 4 hotfix addresses a startup crash reported by some users. Atomic Elbow says the latest update fixes it. That notice identifies the symptom and correction but gives no version number or affected hardware list. If the game closes at startup, check that Steam has finished applying the latest update before retrying.

The level editor is still in development

Atomic Elbow's September 9 development post previewed multiplayer, a level editor and additional content. At that point, it described work in progress with no release date. The November announcement confirms multiplayer's arrival and still discusses the editor as a future feature.

The editor preview includes an example built from 797 objects. That figure describes the developer's example. The release notice does not establish an editor object limit or a date when players can build and share their own courses. For this update, plan the session around the released race and co-op modes.

Check the Steam edition before arranging a session

On November 5, the Steam listing requested with Mexico as its store country offered the game for purchase in MXN. It listed Online PvP and Online Co-op alongside the Windows requirements. These availability checks concern the Steam edition covered by the announcement.

Someone returning from an older console edition should use the current Steam listing to identify this release. Atomic Elbow's November notice announces its Steam update. The source links below let the group check the game, its requirements and the subsequent hotfix before choosing a course.

Keep exploring

FOLLOW THE SOURCE

Sources & further reading

Have a correction? Tell our editorial team.

✦ NICE. YOU LEARNED SOMETHING.