Split-screen on PC

Arma 2

Up to 32 players on one PC, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

32Verified handler

Handler “Arma 2” by THEKlNG, version 1

P4+28 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 32 players can play Arma 2 together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice. The free community handler “Arma 2” by THEKlNG does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 1, updated 14 Oct 2025. Arma 2 is a shooter, simulation and strategy game from 2009.

Players32
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Arma 2 split screen on PC

Get Nucleus Co-op
Download Nucleus Co-op, free for Windows 10 and 11, and unzip it into its own folder, for example C:\NucleusCo-op. There is no installer.
Keep it out of Program Files, your user folder and OneDrive.
Download Nucleus Co-op
Install the Arma 2 handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Arma 2 and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Arma 2 is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player presses a button on their own controller to join and takes a spot on the screen. Pick a layout that fits your players.
Playing with several keyboards and mice? Press End once everything is in place to give each window its own cursor.
Launch and connect
Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Arma 2 per player and lays the windows out on your screen. Then link them in game, usually one player hosts a LAN or online session and the others join it. The handler notes say how.

What you need

A Windows 10 or 11 PC
Nucleus Co-op runs on Windows only. System requirements
Arma 2 for Windows
Installed on that PC. Nucleus starts every player's window from that one install.
Nucleus Co-op, free
With .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later and the Visual C++ 2015–2022 runtimes (x86 and x64). Download
Something to play with
One controller per player, or one keyboard and mouse per player. Controllers · Keyboards and mice
A PC that can run 32 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Arma 2, so the PC carries several times the usual load. Lower the graphics settings if it struggles. Performance tips
A multiplayer mode
Nucleus links the windows through the game's own LAN or online mode; the handler takes care of it.

Handler notes

Arma 2 Notes

1. Handler Requirements

Version: Requires the official Steam version.
- Arma 2

2. Input Support

Supports multiple Keyboards/Mice (KB/M) and Xinput controllers.
Use your main mouse for setup and menu navigation.
⚠️ Warning: Avoid setting controller movement to default; this may cause overlap with keyboard input.
If needed, remap manually to prevent input conflicts.

3. Hosting & Joining

Host: Go to Multiplayer → Change server type to ‘Internet’ to avoid the “CD key in use” error when clients join, select a map and start match.
Clients: Join using the Server Browser.
For smoother performance on low-end systems, lower graphics settings and resolution.

4. Input Locking

After all instances are loaded, press the END key to lock input if using keyboards/mice.
Left-click and move the mouse slightly for a few seconds until the emulated cursor appears.
If using controllers only, you do not need to lock the input — you can use the mouse cursor normally in setup menus.
When finished playing, press END again to unlock.
Always close the game from the Exit button to ensure all settings and progress are saved correctly.

Credits

Special thanks for contributions:
- Moss_OH
- Talos91

About Arma 2

Arma 2 is set in the near future, year 2009, in a fictional post soviet country called Chernarus. Players will be sent as members of a United States Marine Corps Force Recon squad to this country to prevent further civilian casualties and ensure ongoing stability there. Arma 2 is based on the latest generation technology, offering large ?scale game world, authentic and extremely detailed modern units, weapons, vehicles and enviroments, challenging single player and vast array of multiplayer options.

Summary from IGDB