Split-screen on PC

Starbound

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

16Verified handler

Handler “Starbound” by The Shnazberry, version 2

P4+12 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 16 players can play Starbound 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 “Starbound” by The Shnazberry does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 2, updated 11 Nov 2021. Starbound is a platformer, role-playing and adventure game from 2016.

Players16
ControllersNot supported
Keyboard and mouseSupported
Several keyboards and miceOne per player
Hub moderatorsVerified

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

Just read the Author's notes and you should be fine.

Thanks a ton to IIyaki for the original handler and Talos91 from the Splitscreen Dreams Discord for the help with resizing and saving.

About Starbound

You’ve fled your home, only to find yourself lost in space with a damaged ship. Your only option is to beam down to the planet below and gather the resources you need to repair your ship and set off to explore the vast, infinite universe… In Starbound, you create your own story - there’s no wrong way to play! You may choose to save the universe from the forces that destroyed your home, uncovering greater galactic mysteries in the process, or you may wish to forego a heroic journey entirely in favor of colonizing uncharted planets.

Summary from IGDB