Playing Baldur's Gate 3 with friends is a lot of fun, just like many other games. This 2023 TGA Game of the Year winner is similar to Larian Studios' earlier game, Divinity: Original Sin 2, because both of them extensively support co-op play.
Even if some players prefer going solo, the game's creators put a ton of effort into making the co-op excellent. Baldur's Gate 3 lets you play with friends in different ways, like LAN, Online, or Split-Screen couch co-op. You can also mix and match these options if you want.
The Pros and Cons of Baldur’s Gate 3’s Co-op Features
Baldur's Gate 3's co-op mode can be a lot of fun with friends, but it also has a couple of flaws that hold it back from being fantastic.
Can You Play Online While Playing Split Screen Couch Co-op
Baldur's Gate 3 supports up to four player co-op, and you can enjoy this feature in various configurations, such as:
- Four players on four different devices.
- Two players on one device, combined with two players on two separate devices.
- Four players on two devices, all utilizing split-screen.
How to Play Split Screen Couch Co-op on PC
- Connect both controllers to your PC
- Begin a fresh game or load an existing Save file.
- Identify the second controller on your PC by pressing any button
- The screen will split automatically to enable multiplayer gaming.
- The second player can choose to play as a new custom character or control an existing party member.
Remember that split-screen co-op on a PC will only function when both players use controllers. Co-op won't work if one player is using a controller while the second one is using a mouse and keyboard. Technically, you can trick the computer into recognizing your mouse and keyboard as a controller through third-party software, but the effort might not be worth the hassle. Larian may introduce KB/M co-op support in a future patch, but don't count on it happening anytime soon, if ever.
How to Play Split Screen Couch Co-op on Consoles
Playing split-screen couch co-op on your console follows similar steps to playing it on your PC.
Plug in both controllers to your console and start a new game or load an existing save file. Press any button on the second controller to identify it on your system, prompting the screen to automatically split for multiplayer gaming. The second player will be able to take control of an existing party member or create a new custom character from scratch.
Split-screen couch co-op is exclusively available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Regrettably, Series S players will be unable to enjoy this feature. One of the contributing factors to the absence of support on the more budget-friendly console is its lower processing power. Additionally, playing on split-screen on either the PS5 or XSX will limit the game to 30FPS.
Does Baldur's Gate 3 Support Cross-Play?
Unfortunately, Baldur's Gate 3 currently lacks crossplay support. However, there is hope, as Larian Studios has confirmed plans for crossplay between PC, Mac, and consoles, with a release anticipated at a later date. Although an official date remains unconfirmed, many players are optimistic about a potential release in the first half of 2024.
Baldur's Gate 3
- Platform(s)
- PC , macOS , PS5 , Xbox Series X
- Released
- August 3, 2023
- Developer(s)
- Larian Studios
- Genre(s)
- RPG
