Getting started

Nucleus Co-op turns one PC and one copy of a game into a split-screen session. It starts one copy of the game per player, gives each copy its own controller, keyboard or mouse, connects the copies through the game's own LAN or online mode, and lays the windows out on your screen.

1. Check your PC

   A 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 PC that runs the game comfortably, with enough memory for one copy per player. The details are in System requirements.

2. Download and unzip Nucleus Co-op

   Get the latest release and extract it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. No installer, no account. Install Nucleus Co-op explains where to put it and what to do when Windows or your antivirus complains.

3. Add a game

   Open NucleusCoop.exe. Found on this PC lists the Steam and Epic games you already have that have a handler on the hub: tick them and add them in one go. For anything else, open Get games and install the handler from the catalogue.

4. Everyone joins

   Pick the game, choose Set up session, and hand out the controllers. Each player presses a button to join and takes the next free place on the screen. Keyboards and mice join with a key press.

5. Launch

   Press Launch. Nucleus opens one copy per player and places the windows. Then follow the handler notes to connect the copies, usually by hosting a game in one window and joining it from the others.

The full walkthrough, with what each screen does, is in Your first session.

Where to go next

• Playing with gamepads? Read Controllers: Xbox controllers work as they are, PlayStation and generic ones may need a small helper.
• One keyboard and mouse per player? See Keyboards and mice.
• Something went wrong? Start from Troubleshooting.