Couch play / split-screen status
Machine Party local co-op & split screen
Machine Party v2.0 supports native couch co-op and split screen in some simulations. Local screen layout is not uniform: some trials use split screen, while others use one shared or distance-based camera. Use the Local menu with the documented controller and keyboard-and-mouse setup.
Yes. Update Machine Party to v2.0 or later, open Local, choose Original, Custom, or Arcade, and have each player press a button in the lobby. A group of four can use four controllers, or three controllers plus one keyboard-and-mouse player.
The short answer
Does Machine Party support local co-op?
Yes. The v2.0 update adds native couch co-op for up to four players on one machine. Open the Local menu, choose Original, Custom, or Arcade, and let each player join from the lobby.
The official setup supports up to four controllers. For a group of four, one player can use keyboard and mouse while the other three use controllers. This is separate from the online private-room limit, which remains two to four players across their own game instances.
Screen layout
Does Machine Party have split screen?
Sometimes. The v2.0 notes describe simulation-specific layouts rather than a single fixed format. Chisel Gauntlet switches between one screen and split screen depending on whether players are viewing the jumbotron. Duck Hunt splits the screen between the runners and the hunter, while Inside Job and The Filter work in split screen.
Minefield uses a camera that follows players based on their distance, and the other simulations generally behave like their online versions. Plan for a shared screen, dynamic camera, or split screen depending on the trial.
Controller planning
How many controllers are supported?
Connect up to four controllers for local play. A four-player group can also use three controllers and one keyboard-and-mouse player, so four controllers are not required.
Connect devices before opening the Local lobby, then press a button on each device to join. If a controller is missing or controls the wrong slot, disconnect extra input devices, test Steam Input, and use the controller troubleshooting guide before adding the rest of the group.
Start a local session
Couch co-op setup checklist
Use the official v2.0 Local flow:
- Update the game and make sure the host is running v2.0 or later.
- Connect up to four controllers before opening the game. For four players, one person may use keyboard and mouse instead.
- Open the main menu and choose Local.
- Select Original, Custom, or Arcade, then have each player press a button on their controller to join the lobby.
- Run a short simulation first. Check each player’s input and remember that the screen layout can change from one simulation to another.
Choose your setup
Local co-op versus online rooms
| Question | Local / couch co-op | Online private room |
|---|---|---|
| How many PCs? | One PC. | Each player joins from their own game instance. |
| Controllers | Up to 4 controllers, or 3 controllers plus keyboard and mouse. | Each player can use the supported input on their own PC. |
| Screen layout | Shared camera or split screen varies by simulation. | Each player sees the game on their own screen. |
| Availability | Available in v2.0 and later. | Available for 2–4 players. |
If a device fails
What if a controller does not join?
Check the controller troubleshooting guide for missing or duplicated input. For a group that needs separate screens, switch to a private online room with one Machine Party instance per player; the multiplayer guide covers room IDs and Steam invites.
Remote streaming is not the same as native local co-op. Input ownership, latency, and simulation-specific controls can make it unreliable, so do not treat it as a guaranteed replacement for the Local menu.
The official v2.0 Steam announcement documents the Local menu, controller setup, keyboard-and-mouse option, and simulation-specific screen changes.