Windows Local/Split-Screen Co-op PC games!

Conundrum, I can't work out whether that's accessible enough to stick it on there. I think I shall do, if only to justify using a L4D1 screenshot as the leading image to begin with

Worth noting that I haven't played more than two or three of the games on this list. Everything here was gleaned from reviews and articles on them, so things may be incorrect. If anyone notices errors, holla and I'll fix them.

 

I had no idea about Blur and Split/second... might have to pick those up.

I'd like to chime in that Left 4 Dead 1 & 2 definitely works. A bit of tweaking is required though there are plenty of guides around internet to get you through it. If you have an xbox 360 controller it is waaay easier setting it up, as you don't have to bind the keys and whatnot. Only downside I can think of is that SS doesn't work in online L4D2 (works in 1)

Some other games that come to mind:

Bionic Commando Rearmed (2 player co-op, up to 4 player VS)
Street Fighter 4 (2 player VS of course)
Super Mario War (up to 4 players VS)
Shatter (2 player co-op)

 

Added Left 4 Dead, as I've now tested it and it works fine. Not tried 2 yet.

Left 4 Dead Instructions:

1. Get two 360 controllers and plug them in. There's a way to do it with only one (see here) but it's extremely difficult and fiddly.

2. Open left4dead\cfg\360Controller.cfg in notepad and paste the following over the contents, then save:

Code:

unbindall				// Prevent mouse/keyboard control when gamepad is in use (to prevent autoaim exploit)

joystick 1
joy_advanced "1"			// use advanced joystick options (allows for multiple axes)

joy_name "L4D Xbox360 Joystick Configuration"
joy_advaxisx 3				// x-axis controls GAME_AXIS_SIDE (strafing left and right)
joy_advaxisy 1				// y-axis controls GAME_AXIS_FORWARD (move forward and back)
joy_advaxisz 0				// z-axis is treated like a button
joy_advaxisr 2				// r-axis controls GAME_AXIS_PITCH (look up and down)
joy_advaxisu 4				// u-axis controls GAME_AXIS_YAW (look left and right)
joy_advaxisv 0				// v-axis is unused
joy_forwardsensitivity -1.0	// movement sensitivity
joy_sidesensitivity 1.0
joy_forwardthreshold 0.1	// movement dead zone settings
joy_sidethreshold 0.1
joy_pitchsensitivity 1.0	// look sensitivity
joy_yawsensitivity -1.5
joy_pitchthreshold 0.1		// look dead zone settings
joy_yawthreshold 0.0

joy_variable_frametime 1
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joy_autoaimdampen 0.5
joy_lowend 0.65
joy_lowmap 0.15
joy_accelscale 3.0
joy_accelmax 4.0
joy_response_move 5
joy_response_look 1
joy_autoaimdampen 0.3
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joyadvancedupdate			// advanced joystick update allows for analog control of move and look

// Alternate control 1
bind "0" "slot10"
bind "1" "slot1"
bind "2" "slot2"
bind "3" "slot3"
bind "4" "slot4"
bind "5" "slot5"
bind "6" "slot6"
bind "7" "slot7"
bind "8" "slot8"
bind "9" "slot9"
bind "a" "+moveleft"
bind "c" "+voicerecord"
bind "d" "+moveright"
bind "e" "+use"
bind "f" "impulse 100"
bind "h" "motd"
bind "m" "chooseteam"
bind "q" "lastinv"
bind "r" "+reload"
bind "s" "+back"
bind "t" "impulse 201"
bind "u" "messagemode2"
bind "w" "+forward"
bind "x" "+mouse_menu QA"
bind "y" "messagemode"
bind "z" "+mouse_menu Orders"
bind "`" "toggleconsole"
bind "SPACE" "+jump"
bind "TAB" "+showscores"
bind "ESCAPE" "cancelselect"
bind "SHIFT" "+speed"
bind "CTRL" "+duck"
bind "F1" "Vote Yes"
bind "F2" "Vote No"
bind "F5" "jpeg"
bind "MOUSE1" "+attack"
bind "MOUSE2" "+attack2"
bind "MOUSE3" "+zoom"
bind "MWHEELUP" "invprev"
bind "MWHEELDOWN" "invnext"


// controller2 bindings
cmd2 +jlook					// enable joystick look
cmd2 bind "A_BUTTON" "+jump;+menuAccept"		// (A) button - Jump  -menuAccpt allows us to make selections on hud menus
cmd2 bind "B_BUTTON" "+reload"			// (B) button - Reload
cmd2 bind "X_BUTTON" "+use"				// (X) Use
cmd2 bind "Y_BUTTON" "lastinv"			// (Y) button - swap pistol/rifle or z_abort -used to respawn as a ghost.
cmd2 bind "R_TRIGGER" "+attack"			// RT - Main weapon - Primary trigger
cmd2 bind "L_TRIGGER" "+attack2"			// LT - Melee
cmd2 bind "R_SHOULDER" "+lookspin"			// RB - Fast 180 spin
cmd2 bind "L_SHOULDER" "toggle_duck"			// LB - Duck - is also used to give objects to people.
cmd2 bind "STICK1" "vocalize smartlook"		// LS - vocalize
cmd2 bind "STICK2" "+zoom"				// RS click - Rifle Zoom

// Fixed bindings, do not change these across joystick presets
cmd2 bind "BACK" "togglescores"			// (back) button - scores
cmd2 bind "START" "pause"				// (start) button - pause
cmd2 bind "S1_UP" "+menuUp"				// Hud menu Up
cmd2 bind "S1_DOWN" "+menuDown"			// Hud menu Down
cmd2 bind "UP" "impulse 100"				// DPad Up - Toggle flashlight
cmd2 bind "LEFT" "slot3"					// DPad Left - grenade
cmd2 bind "RIGHT" "slot4"				// DPad Right - health
cmd2 bind "DOWN" "slot5"					// DPad Down - Pills

3. Run left 4 dead and enter "Exec 360Controller.cfg" in the console (opened by pressing tilde).

4. Start a campaign and enter "ss_enable 1" in the console to split the screen, then "splitscreen_connect" (or "cmd2 jointeam 2") to bring the second player into the game.

Other console commands:
Horizontal split: "ss_splitmode 1"
Vertical split: "ss_splitmode 2"
Remove second player: "disconnect_splitscreen" [not checked yet]
Disable splitscreen: "ss_enable_0"
Invert y-axis: "joyinterty 1" or "joyinverty2 1"

 

CoD: WAW Zombies?

 

World at War does not have split-screen/same-machine co-op, although it is an excellent LAN game.

But since we're here, I may as well update this with L4D2, which I long since got working in split-screen.

Left 4 Dead 2 Split-screen Instructions


You Will Need: Left 4 Dead 2; two gamepads, preferably xbox 360 controllers.


Step 1:

open Steam\steamapps\common\left 4 dead 2\left4dead2\cfg\360controller.cfg in notepad, paste the following into it (replacing all existing text) and save:

Code:

unbindall				// Prevent mouse/keyboard control when gamepad is in use (to prevent autoaim exploit)

joystick 1
joy_advanced "1"			// use advanced joystick options (allows for multiple axes)

joy_name "L4D Xbox360 Joystick Configuration"
joy_advaxisx 3				// x-axis controls GAME_AXIS_SIDE (strafing left and right)
joy_advaxisy 1				// y-axis controls GAME_AXIS_FORWARD (move forward and back)
joy_advaxisz 0				// z-axis is treated like a button
joy_advaxisr 2				// r-axis controls GAME_AXIS_PITCH (look up and down)
joy_advaxisu 4				// u-axis controls GAME_AXIS_YAW (look left and right)
joy_advaxisv 0				// v-axis is unused
joy_forwardsensitivity -1.0	// movement sensitivity
joy_sidesensitivity 1.0
joy_forwardthreshold 0.1	// movement dead zone settings
joy_sidethreshold 0.1
joy_pitchsensitivity 1.0	// look sensitivity
joy_yawsensitivity -1.5
joy_pitchthreshold 0.1		// look dead zone settings
joy_yawthreshold 0.0

joy_variable_frametime 1
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joy_autoaimdampen 0.5
joy_lowend 0.65
joy_lowmap 0.15
joy_accelscale 3.0
joy_accelmax 4.0
joy_response_move 5
joy_response_look 1
joy_autoaimdampen 0.3
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joyadvancedupdate			// advanced joystick update allows for analog control of move and look

// Alternate control 1
bind "0" "slot10"
bind "1" "slot1"
bind "2" "slot2"
bind "3" "slot3"
bind "4" "slot4"
bind "5" "slot5"
bind "6" "slot6"
bind "7" "slot7"
bind "8" "slot8"
bind "9" "slot9"
bind "a" "+moveleft"
bind "c" "+voicerecord"
bind "d" "+moveright"
bind "e" "+use"
bind "f" "impulse 100"
bind "h" "motd"
bind "m" "chooseteam"
bind "q" "lastinv"
bind "r" "+reload"
bind "s" "+back"
bind "t" "impulse 201"
bind "u" "messagemode2"
bind "w" "+forward"
bind "x" "+mouse_menu QA"
bind "y" "messagemode"
bind "z" "+mouse_menu Orders"
bind "`" "toggleconsole"
bind "SPACE" "+jump"
bind "TAB" "+showscores"
bind "ESCAPE" "cancelselect"
bind "SHIFT" "+speed"
bind "CTRL" "+duck"
bind "F1" "Vote Yes"
bind "F2" "Vote No"
bind "F5" "jpeg"
bind "MOUSE1" "+attack"
bind "MOUSE2" "+attack2"
bind "MOUSE3" "+zoom"
bind "MWHEELUP" "invprev"
bind "MWHEELDOWN" "invnext"


// controller2 bindings
cmd2 +jlook					// enable joystick look
cmd2 bind "A_BUTTON" "+jump;+menuAccept"		// (A) button - Jump  -menuAccpt allows us to make selections on hud menus
cmd2 bind "B_BUTTON" "+reload"			// (B) button - Reload
cmd2 bind "X_BUTTON" "+use"				// (X) Use
cmd2 bind "Y_BUTTON" "lastinv"			// (Y) button - swap pistol/rifle or z_abort -used to respawn as a ghost.
cmd2 bind "R_TRIGGER" "+attack"			// RT - Main weapon - Primary trigger
cmd2 bind "L_TRIGGER" "+attack2"			// LT - Melee
cmd2 bind "R_SHOULDER" "+lookspin"			// RB - Fast 180 spin
cmd2 bind "L_SHOULDER" "toggle_duck"			// LB - Duck - is also used to give objects to people.
cmd2 bind "STICK1" "vocalize smartlook"		// LS - vocalize
cmd2 bind "STICK2" "+zoom"				// RS click - Rifle Zoom

// Fixed bindings, do not change these across joystick presets
cmd2 bind "BACK" "togglescores"			// (back) button - scores
cmd2 bind "START" "pause"				// (start) button - pause
cmd2 bind "S1_UP" "+menuUp"				// Hud menu Up
cmd2 bind "S1_DOWN" "+menuDown"			// Hud menu Down
cmd2 bind "UP" "impulse 100"				// DPad Up - Toggle flashlight
cmd2 bind "LEFT" "slot3"					// DPad Left - grenade
cmd2 bind "RIGHT" "slot4"				// DPad Right - health
cmd2 bind "DOWN" "slot5"					// DPad Down - Pills

Note: if you want to use a controller other than a 360 controller, you will need to modify these mappings manually to suit. This file only works for 360 controllers.


Step 2:

enter the following into a text file and save it as splitmode.txt (or whatever name you prefer) in the left4dead2\cfg\ folder:

Code:

sk_autoaim_mode 2
ss_enable 1
ss_splitmode 1
connect_splitscreen localhost 2
sv_cheats 1

Step 3:

Enable the console by adding -console to the launch command, which you can do in the game's properties in Steam:




Step 4:

Launch the game. In the console, execute 360controller.cfg by typing exec 360controller.cfg. This will remap player 2's controls to the player 2 controller.
Note: you will need to do this every time you start L4D2.

Step 5:

In the console, use ss_map c#m# to load levels, e.g. ss_map c1m1_hotel. Suggestions can be seen by typing a partial, e.g. ss_map c2 will suggest all chapter names for campaign 2. You can explore them all in this way and figure out which number corresponds to which level.


Step 6:
Once the level's loaded, execute the text file you saved in step 2 by typing exec Splitmode.txt (or whatever filename you chose) in the console. This will enable split-screen and connect the second player. You can set up split-screen direction, choose characters and set difficulty with these commands:

sv_cheats 1, (necessary for the rest, enable if not already enabled by splitmode.txt)
ss_splitmode 1/2, (horizontal/vertical)
z_difficulty easy/normal/hard/impossible,
sb_takecontrol Ellis/Coach/Rochelle/Nick,
cmd2 sb_takecontrol Ellis/Coach/Rochelle/Nick

I prefer to do all of these from memory each time (because for a few moments, typing all these commands, I'm a leet hacker in an 80s movie), but if you want a default setup you can make your life easier by adding all of these to a text file, e.g. assign.txt:

Code:

sv_cheats 1
ss_splitmode 1
z_difficulty easy
sb_takecontrol Ellis
cmd2 sb_takecontrol coach

(This is my usual setup.)

Save that in the left4dead2\cfg folder and execute it with exec assign.txt to do it all in one go every time.

(additional: I'm not sure about sk_autoaim_mode 0/1/2 yet, I don't know how it works or whether it's desirable. Change/disable it if you want.)

 

Also, if anyone can help, I've had trouble tagging this correctly so that it appears in forum searches. As you can see, I've tagged co op, co-op and coop, but the thread still does not appear in a search for any of those terms. Likewise for split screen and split-screen.

Don't know how to fix this. Tag searches work, but obviously I'd like this thread to be something that appears if people just search the forums for "split-screen gaming" or "co-op gaming" or "split-screen co-op". I'm not sure why searching for the exact title of this thread doesn't return anything.

 

Found this thread while searching for games to play with the girlfriend, had Trine for a while and didn't realise it was split-screen co-op so this is good news!
Curious, has anyone managed to test Hunted: The Demon's Forge yet? I've played it split-screen co-op on the 360 before.

 

God, that looks like a good one actually. Unfortunately, after some digging I found this:

http://forums.bethsoft.com/index.php?/topic/1197709-how-do-you-play-split-screen-on-pc/

It makes me disporportionately angry, the way all developers seem to have uniformly decided to leave split-screen out of the PC versions of titles. Especially because you know it isn't due to conversion difficulties or technical stuff - it's purely about recouping more money on the PC version to compensate for the perceived losses of piracy and lower pricing.

Adding to the Disappointing Mentions list.

 

You can add dungeon defenders to the list, supports at least 2 player split screen right out of the (digital) box. I think it can possibly support up to 4 players, not got enough controllers to test for sure though

 

The search engine tends to filter out short words because they are too common. But if you put the search term "split-screen" in quotation marks, it will look for that specific string and your thread comes up second in the list.

 

Apparently I repped you too recently to rep you again, but hugs for that.

I'm gonna put "local" in the thread title too, as "local co-op" seems to be a common phrase for it.

 

Yup, 4 players is perfectly playable, albeit every box is a bit small.

 

Dungeon Siege 3

Dungeon Siege 3 supports 2 players local co-op

 

Serious Sam 3 and Dungeon Defenders allow split screen coop.

 

Fantastic thread. Thanks.

 

Borderlands 2 will also support split-screen co-op upon release as I understand it.

 

Ahh, I don't know why I didn't add Dungeon Defenders already. Been playing it quite a bit. Also: Magicka. Two of my best finds.

Didn't know serious sam 3 had split-screen, massive oversight. Will look into it.

 

its not "split screen", but hot seat mode on blood bowl legendary edition (and soon to be chaos edition) is very well done, and enables 2 players to have a good kick about on 1 pc against each other? dunno if that counts but may be someones cup of tea

 

Supposedly rocksmith will have SSCO

 

Portal 2 supports split screen co-op since 'Big Picture' update.
DiRT Showdown and Dogfight 1942 also support Split-Screen.