This is the most important question. As of late 2024 and into 2025, the answer is nuanced:
You typically cannot play on official servers. You are often limited to "cracked" servers, which are frequently unpopulated or riddled with hackers. Version Lag:
| Game Title | Cost | Similarities to Deadside | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Free-to-Play | A survival shooter with PvP and PvE elements in a large open world, focusing on loot and base building. | | SCUM | Paid (Often on Sale) | A hyper-realistic, hardcore multiplayer survival game with deep character metabolism, base building, and intense PvP combat. | | DeadPoly | Paid (Low Cost) | A polygon-styled zombie survival game with crafting, building, and weapon customization, playable solo or in co-op. |