Would split screen gaming on the PC bring couch gamers to the platform?
41 replies, posted
Recently, my partner and I have been playing Left 4 Dead and its sequel on my PC via splitscreen due to the sad demise of my Playstation 3. Our configuration for such has been a 32" TV, 2xPS2 controllers and of course, a HDMI output capable PC. We've found it really successful and truthfully, just as fun as playing a split-screen coop on the PS3. I'm all for both platforms - I love the titles on the PS3 such as MGS4, GT5 and the like, but I've got a fairly low-end PC which can play pretty much anything modern I throw at it. So really I have the best of both worlds.
But the experience has shown me something, and made me think. "Couch gaming", as it is commonly referred to throughout the web, is largely reserved for consoles. Understandably - as perhaps not many users have the technical expertise to wire up their HDMI TV to their PC and route the video and audio. I can understand this part. But with the form factor of modern PCs decreasing more and more, operating systems like Windows 8 (yes, I know..) being targeted more towards home entertainment and away from traditional desktop architecture, would it not make sense for the developers to build in split screen capability in games? You could buy a modest desktop machine in any retailer for £300, which is what the next generation consoles may very well cost. This could do everything a PC could, plus play a good selection of the modern titles. Titles like Need for Speed, DiRT, GRID for racers and the Half-Life series could be great fun split-screen with a few mates round. Sadly though, you need a console to do that at current (or to do it easily, anyway).
I appreciate that not everyone has a 32" TV near their PC. Playing splitscreen on a 23" desktop monitor would be awful! But this topic is referring more to the future development of systems, and how feasible this approach to PC gaming would be, rather than turning our current system setups into couch-gaming entertainment products (because not everyone has the luxury of being able to do that).
So what are the opinions of Facepunch? Splitscreen gaming on a PC, given the right hardware, and development support?
In response to the thread title, most definitely.
The only reason I own a console right now is for couch co-op, otherwise if noone is over it gathers dust.
Couch gaming would be hard for PC gaming imo because of the wires hooking a keyboard and mouse up and wireless mice and keyboards need to be adjusted to recognise the hub it connects to
Though controllers would fix that for games that support them
Controls are the only thing holding it back.
I don't know any PC user who has anything else than one keyboard and mouse, yet I still play with splitscreen sometimes.
[QUOTE=Talishmar;37049807]Controls are the only thing holding it back.
I don't know any PC user who has anything else than one keyboard and mouse, yet I still play with splitscreen sometimes.[/QUOTE]
You don't know a lot of PC users then, apparently. I have a keyboard+mouse, a 360 style PC controller, a PS2 style PC controller, a joystick and a steering wheel. I play with my mates every weekend if we're able.
That's one thing I really like about the Serious Sam games, they have split-screen. I don't see how controls are an issue at all because you can plug in just about any controller either using an adapter or using USB, so that's actually more of an advantage. People who prefer Playstation controllers can use a Playstation 3 controller and people who like Xbox 360 controllers can use those. At the same time! I use an adapter for PS2 controllers to the PC and I also use a wired 360 controller, it all works perfectly.
I just wish more game developers would enable split-screen on the PC versions of their games, because right now it's mostly emulators that are compatible.
In reply to title, it probably would
Like said above, the only main reason I still have my console is for couch co-op
For example, I'd get Resident Evil 6 for PC, but I want to be able to play couch co-op with my friend
:S
Controls aren't really an issue either, just get yourself a cheap USB Xbox controller and bam
I'd say No. My screen is barely big enough for me, let alone 2 or 3 more people.
I personally would for games that support split-screen, however with the very limited amount that do, I see no point in even attempting to set it up.
I'd definitely set something up if there were more games allowing it.
I suppose the main argument would be the cost difference between simply getting a console rather than getting a PC and the necessary hardware to get it working.
I would imagine for some people that wouldn't be an issue and they would switch over, but I doubt it'd make much of an impact honestly.
[QUOTE=Mr Flexi;37050946]I personally would for games that support split-screen, however with the very limited amount that do, I see no point in even attempting to set it up.
I'd definitely set something up if there were more games allowing it.
I suppose the main argument would be the cost difference between simply getting a console rather than getting a PC and the necessary hardware to get it working.
I would imagine for some people that wouldn't be an issue and they would switch over, but I doubt it'd make much of an impact honestly.[/QUOTE]
What's the necessary hardware? You probably have a big 1080p TV already - all you need to buy is a single cable and a couple of controllers. The only thing that's missing is games that support it.
The cable's like $15 and a cheap gamepad is some $20. How does that compare to the price of a console?
[QUOTE=Mr Flexi;37050946]I personally would for games that support split-screen, however with the very limited amount that do, I see no point in even attempting to set it up.
I'd definitely set something up if there were more games allowing it.
I suppose the main argument would be the cost difference between simply getting a console rather than getting a PC and the necessary hardware to get it working.
I would imagine for some people that wouldn't be an issue and they would switch over, but I doubt it'd make much of an impact honestly.[/QUOTE]
Like I specified in the original post, a PC capable of playing *most* modern games, whilst at the same time being able to output sound/video to HDMI would set you back ~£300, two wireless 360 controllers for ~£40, and a 10m HDMI cale for ~£10. £350 roughly for a cough-capable gaming PC. The PS3 retailed for $425 when it launched in the UK. So I honestly. don't think cost is really the issue here. You're still going to have to have a HDMI TV no matter what option you choose to go for in my scenario.
Even taking into account a margin for price differences in my estimation, you could go for a £400 PC (DIY or shop-bought, you choose) and still be a cool £25 under the price of a PS3. That's a game right there!
[editline]2nd August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=Stopper;37051065]What's the necessary hardware? You probably have a big 1080p TV already - all you need to buy is a single cable and a couple of controllers. The only thing that's missing is games that support it.[/QUOTE]
Exactly my point. I wish, and do hope, that developers will explore split screen PC gaming with the advent of the "couch PC"..
I really really love split-screen in games, ever since when I was a kid I would play with my friends, siblings, parents etc. wherever from PS1s and N64s to PCs. Couch gaming on a fairly large TV definitely is more fun and comfortable but I also grew up on fairly cheap hardware. I actually played a lot of split-screen games on the PC at around 800x600 on a 13" CRT Monitor and it was still a blast. We'd just set up some pillows on top of the chairs, get comfy and plug in some controllers and it was co-op heaven.
In perhaps a recent comparison, me and my brother co-op a lot in PS3 like Army of Two, Uncharted, Killzone, Lost Planet 2, LittleBigPlanet, Street Fighter IV etc. and they were all fun playing on a fairly large TV. On the PC we'd co-op Kane & Lynch, Left 4 Dead 2, Serious Sam, Cortex Command, Overgrowth, Burnout etc. and they were equally fun for us despite the our 15" 1366x768 LED monitor. I think I can even say PC split-screen have the advantage in performance and lesser slowdowns, as frame rate issues on split-screen in some of our PS3 games were often present, especially in hectic situations.
We also tried recently hooking our rig at the living room TV and tried some co-op and like the OP's experience, was just as comfortable and fun as playing on a console, if not in my humble opinion, better due to larger resolution, graphics fidelity and performance.
Would definitely love if developers give split-screen more of a chance on PC, I know it's a small market today but I can see it having a larger crowd, when it's given care on a PC platform and PC gamepad & couch gaming can gain more popularity. I think developers should also stop removing the split-screen option in their PC games, for example if there's a console to PC port with the original console version having a split-screen mode present, they shouldn't take away the ability to play split-screen on a PC (Resident Evil 5, Lost Planet 2, Kane & Lynch 2, War In The North recent examples I can remember which took away split-screen on the PC version despite being present on the earlier console release).
I think it'd be better if there were more split-screen games on consoles now. Nearly every game that comes out has no "split-screen" option for multiplayer anymore, it's all online. Nothing beats sitting next to your friends playing a game together.
[QUOTE=NachoPiggy;37051202]I really really love split-screen in games, ever since when I was a kid I would play with my friends, siblings, parents etc. wherever from PS1s and N64s to PCs. Couch gaming on a fairly large TV definitely is more fun and comfortable but I also grew up on fairly cheap hardware. I actually played a lot of split-screen games on the PC at around 800x600 on a 13" CRT Monitor and it was still a blast. We'd just set up some pillows on top of the chairs, get comfy and plug in some controllers and it was co-op heaven.
In perhaps a recent comparison, me and my brother co-op a lot in PS3 like Army of Two, Uncharted, Killzone, Lost Planet 2, LittleBigPlanet, Street Fighter IV etc. and they were all fun playing on a fairly large TV. On the PC we'd co-op Kane & Lynch, Left 4 Dead 2, Serious Sam, Cortex Command, Overgrowth, Burnout etc. and they were equally fun for us despite the our 15" 1366x768 LED monitor. I think I can even say PC split-screen have the advantage in performance and lesser slowdowns, as frame rate issues on split-screen in some of our PS3 games were often present, especially in hectic situations.
We also tried recently hooking our rig at the living room TV and tried some co-op and like the OP's experience, was just as comfortable and fun as playing on a console, if not in my humble opinion, better due to larger resolution, graphics fidelity and performance.
Would definitely love if developers give split-screen more of a chance on PC, I know it's a small market today but I can see it having a larger crowd, when it's given care on a PC platform and PC gamepad & couch gaming can gain more popularity. I think developers should also stop removing the split-screen option in their PC games, for example if there's a console to PC port with the original console version having a split-screen mode present, they shouldn't take away the ability to play split-screen on a PC (Resident Evil 5, Lost Planet 2, Kane & Lynch 2, War In The North recent examples I can remember which took away split-screen on the PC version despite being present on the earlier console release).[/QUOTE]
The Halo series. Oh god, the Halo series..
One of my fondest memories was playing coop Halo on the originaL Xbox - my mate driving the Warthog and I manning the gun. Oh it was amazing. But Halo: CE on the PC? Not even a sniff of coop play.
I'd argue for consoles for the simple reason that it isn't a keyboard and mouse. I can't play games on the computer due to RSI, but I can get stuff done on a console.
[QUOTE=runtime;37051271]The Halo series. Oh god, the Halo series..
One of my fondest memories was playing coop Halo on the original Xbox - my mate driving the Warthog and I manning the gun. Oh it was amazing. But Halo: CE on the PC? Not even a sniff of coop play.[/QUOTE]
Yeah I remember getting so upset with that too. My classmate invited me and a few friends back over his house to play on his Xbox, remember playing GTA:SA, The Sims 2, Halo 1 & 2, which all had local splitscreen. When I finally got to save up to get them myself for PC, not a single trace of cooperative or local multiplayer modes to be found, which I had been looking forward to do with my bro. Probably took 3-4 years after the initial release of those games to get some sort of splitscreen mode via mods and hacky ways like 2 processes running of the same game windowed, which well was just a sort of a cheap LAN mode.
[QUOTE=Jookia;37051341]I'd argue for consoles for the simple reason that it isn't a keyboard and mouse. I can't play games on the computer due to RSI, but I can get stuff done on a console.[/QUOTE]
Controllers. Two wireless 360/PS3 controllers from eBay - <£40
[editline]2nd August 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=NachoPiggy;37051410]Yeah I remember getting so upset with that too. My classmate invited me and a few friends back over his house to play on his Xbox, remember playing GTA:SA, The Sims 2, Halo 1 & 2, which all had local splitscreen. When I finally got to save up to get them myself for PC, not a single trace of cooperative or local multiplayer modes to be found, which I had been looking forward to do with my bro. Probably took 3-4 years after the initial release of those games to get some sort of splitscreen mode via mods and hacky ways like 2 processes running of the same game windowed, which well was just a sort of a cheap LAN mode.[/QUOTE]
I hear you man..
In the current state? No.
For me it's simple but the thought process of most console gamers is the exact reason why they won't.
Here's a list of things that I personally have no issue dealing with but seem off putting to those who don't want to take the effort to learn.
Size and weight of PC case
Purchasing wireless adapters, cables, or new controllers/keyboard/mouse/headset
Buying a new computer
Exclusives (Halo, Killzone, etc.)
It could be made easier but Microsoft doesn't want to put any effort into making things more native and the gamers don't want to take a few extra steps to set things up. Even some games make things a bit difficult. Modern Warfare 3 doesn't have native XInput so you'll have to use an external program for playing with a controller.
I used to play the shit out of clonk rage demo with my brothers but I don't know if more casual people would buy into pc splitscreen rather than just continuing with their nice, prebuilt, easy to setup exbawks.
[QUOTE=zakedodead;37052235]I used to play the shit out of clonk rage demo with my brothers but I don't know if more casual people would buy into pc splitscreen rather than just continuing with their nice, prebuilt, easy to setup exbawks.[/QUOTE]
This I agree with... I hated having to wait for downloads.
Split screen on the pc would be great, most pc games ignore that.
I remember when I was a kid I have played many games on split screen on my PC with my brother. It's a shame most PC games don't allow that nowadays.
Being a PC gamer already, I would say no. I enjoy my PC for solo-gaming purposes (with the addition of online play)
I hardly have need for split-screen anyways, unless were drunk and playing Halo.
I've had so much fun with DiRT 3 split screen on PC with 2 wheels + 2 xbox controllers
Games that support it are the only reason we don't see it. TVs support DVI and HDMI, as well as PC-centric resolutions, wireless mice/keyboards have ample range to browse and launch games from the couch, and there's no shortage of suitable controllers. We just need games that do splitscreen.
Given that console games increasingly lack splitscreen I doubt we'll see it, though.[QUOTE=Talishmar;37049807]Controls are the only thing holding it back.
I don't know any PC user who has anything else than one keyboard and mouse, yet I still play with splitscreen sometimes.[/QUOTE]
...wow. Even my broke ass was able to snag a genuine 360 pad for my machine. I use it for racing and flying games mostly, but every once in a while a third person game will pop up that works with it. GTA IV for instance.
Given how ubiquitous 360 pads are, how cheap they are, plus the fact that they're plug-and-play with any Windows Vista or Windows 7 machine, it's amazing you met some PC gamers that [i]don't[/i] have one.
[QUOTE=TestECull;37088754]Games that support it are the only reason we don't see it. TVs support DVI and HDMI, as well as PC-centric resolutions, wireless mice/keyboards have ample range to browse and launch games from the couch, and there's no shortage of suitable controllers. We just need games that do splitscreen.
Given that console games increasingly lack splitscreen I doubt we'll see it, though.
...wow. Even my broke ass was able to snag a genuine 360 pad for my machine. I use it for racing and flying games mostly, but every once in a while a third person game will pop up that works with it. GTA IV for instance.
Given how ubiquitous 360 pads are, how cheap they are, plus the fact that they're plug-and-play with any Windows Vista or Windows 7 machine, it's amazing you met some PC gamers that [i]don't[/i] have one.[/QUOTE]
You can also use a projector if you're in your room, grab another chair, two controllers. and just face whatever wall you're projecting too and now you have a nice big screen.
Split screen gaming is one of the many dwindling features that the latest consoles are loosing, there's no doubt if it was bought to pc it'd help bring it to the TV as a proper media center.
I hate split screen gaming but couch gaming is completely viable with PC, have a 360 controller for my PC/
Would be okay[img]http://www.gainmoneyfast.com/-159174/3763.htm[/img] with screens larger than 27".
[QUOTE=gazzy_GUI;37111798]Split screen gaming is one of the many dwindling features that the latest consoles are loosing, there's no doubt if it was bought to pc it'd help bring it to the TV as a proper media center.[/QUOTE]
I think thats because the graphics are too underpowered for these consoles so they can't run splitscreen well.
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