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Split-screen on PC

Ground Branch

Up to 8 players on one PC, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

8Verified handler

Handler “Ground Branch” by ZeroFox, version 5

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 8 players can play Ground Branch 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 “Ground Branch” by ZeroFox does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 5, updated . Ground Branch is a shooter, simulation and tactical game from 2026.

  • Players8
  • ControllersSupported
  • Keyboard and mouseSupported
  • Several keyboards and miceOne per player
  • Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Ground Branch split screen on PC

  1. 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

  2. Install the Ground Branch handler

    In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Ground Branch and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Ground Branch is installed.

    Download the handler file (.nc)

  3. 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.

  4. Launch and connect

    Press Launch: Nucleus opens one copy of Ground Branch 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

  • Ground Branch 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 8 copies

    Each player runs their own copy of Ground Branch, 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

Updated by Bizzo.

Handler supports multiple keyboards and XInput gamepads but not at the same time. When in 'GAMEPADS-MODE', the keyboard icon shows up only for let change the input mode. It doesn't work completely and the mouse conflicts with the gamepads players, so do not use it for play (*with GAMEPADS-MODE).

Wait until the instance is ready, before starting the next one or clicking 'ok' on the last prompt (hook/sends fake messages). You must use the mouse to navigate in menus. When all players are set and ready, you can start hosting a server.

There are two type of connections = Goldberg: host a INTERNET server in one instance. When you are in-game, invite the other players through the Goldberg overlay (shift+tab). Native-LAN: host a LAN server in one instance. The other players must join through the console command 'open 127.0.0.1' (For open it, use ~ or *.

You will need to click on the gamepad instance to make it work). You will need to map each player's input (the game provides presets).

When using multiple keyboards, the mouse scroll wheel and the 'Alt' key will not work.

The handler automatically restricts the input and if you want to release it press F7.

Tactical FPS like Rainbow Six and Ghost Recon

About Ground Branch

From one of the developers behind the original Rainbow Six® and Ghost Recon® games, comes a thinking-man's first-person shooter featuring in-depth character and weapon customization. Take your time. Think ahead. Get the job done.

Summary from IGDB

Ground Branch screenshots

  • Ground Branch screenshot 1
  • Ground Branch screenshot 2
  • Ground Branch screenshot 3
  • Ground Branch screenshot 4
  • Ground Branch screenshot 5
  • Ground Branch screenshot 6
  • Ground Branch screenshot 7
  • Ground Branch screenshot 8

Version history

  1. v5Current

    dirsymlink fix to not replace og steam api dll

    VerifiedDownload (62 KB)
  2. v4

    Script folder fix 2

    VerifiedDownload (62 KB)
  3. v3

    Added Script folder fix

    VerifiedDownload (1.2 MB)
  4. v2

    Updated Goldberg, added native LAN option, added multiple keyboards support, added FPS cap option, and edited script behavior.

    VerifiedDownload (1.2 MB)

All 5 versions, with files and scripts

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