Split-screen on PC

Rust

Up to 30 players on one PC, with keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice.

30Verified handler

Handler “Rust Dedicated Server” by birden, version 2

P4+26 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 30 players can play Rust together on one PC, each in their own part of the screen, with keyboard and mouse or several keyboards and mice. The free community handler “Rust Dedicated Server” by birden does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 2, updated 15 Apr 2025. Rust is a shooter, role-playing and adventure game from 2018.

Players30
ControllersNot supported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

How to play Rust 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 Rust handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Rust and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Rust is installed.
Download the handler file (.nc)
Take a seat
Each player joins with their own keyboard and mouse 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 Rust 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
Rust 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 keyboard and mouse per player. Controllers · Keyboards and mice
A PC that can run 30 copies
Each player runs their own copy of Rust, 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 IS NOT FOR ONLINE AND WON'T BE. THIS IS FOR A DEDICATED SERVER CREATED BY YOU.

Video tutorial/showcasing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na3AvVxLx90

IMPORTANT: Download the Rust dedicated server from SteamCMD, copy the 'rust_dedicated' folder that was downloaded and place it in the main Rust folder.

The server save is stored inside Nucleus Co-op content folder, so if you delete Nucleus or its content folder your server save for this game will be lost.

Keyboards/mice only. You can play with controllers using programs like rewasd or xpadder.

Big help by messenils with testing and plugins.

About Rust

The only aim in Rust is to survive. Everything wants you to die - the island’s wildlife and other inhabitants, the environment, other survivors. Do whatever it takes to last another night.

Summary from IGDB