Split-screen on PC

Project Zomboid

Up to 16 players on one PC, with controllers, keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

16Verified handler

Handler “Project Zomboid” by Ave_Cogollo, version 1

P4+12 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 16 players can play Project Zomboid 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 “Project Zomboid” by Ave_Cogollo does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 1, updated 4 Jul 2022. Project Zomboid is a role-playing, simulation and indie game from 2013.

Players16
ControllersSupported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Project Zomboid 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 Project Zomboid handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Project Zomboid and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Project Zomboid 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 Project Zomboid 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
Project Zomboid 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 16 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Project Zomboid, 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

This game already has native split-screen for 4 players but with this handler you can play with more one player per instance, use multiple keyboards/mice and multiple monitors.

To use mods, move them to the path you-user/zomboid/mod. READ the handler notes in the UI very carefully.

Handler by Avecogollo, auzzboss and Talos from the Nucleus Co-op discord.

About Project Zomboid

Project Zomboid is the ultimate in zombie survival. Alone or in MP: you loot, build, craft, fight, farm and fish in a struggle to survive. A hardcore RPG skillset, a vast map, a massively customisable sandbox and a cute tutorial raccoon await the unwary. So how will you die?

Summary from IGDB

Project Zomboid screenshots

Version history

v1Current
READ the handler notes in the UI very carefully.
4 Jul 2022VerifiedDownload (2.5 KB)

Version details, files and scripts

Comments 2

imthesoulkat2 years ago
To make modding more clear first Download the mods from workshop then go to C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\workshop\content\108600 and each one of those is a mod to get the actual mod go into the file then mods and then copy and paste that into the directory mentioned in the post
Alice_Mayor3 years ago
Host a server then join by typing in your local IP address. Can find this out in internet/ethernet settings under you IPv4 address. Ideally don't put password for server.