Split-screen on PC

Stormworks: Build and Rescue

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

32Verified handler

Handler “Stormworks: Build and Rescue” by THEKlNG, version 4

P4+28 more players

What works

With Nucleus Co-op, up to 32 players can play Stormworks: Build and Rescue 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 “Stormworks: Build and Rescue” by THEKlNG does the setup and was checked by hub moderators: version 4, updated 9 Aug 2025. Stormworks: Build and Rescue is a simulation and strategy game from 2020.

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

How to play Stormworks: Build and Rescue 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 Stormworks: Build and Rescue handler
In Nucleus Co-op, search the Hub for Stormworks: Build and Rescue and install its handler, or download the handler file from this page and drop it on the Nucleus window. Then show Nucleus where Stormworks: Build and Rescue 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 Stormworks: Build and Rescue 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
Stormworks: Build and Rescue 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 Stormworks: Build and Rescue, 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

🛠️ Stormworks Split-Screen Notes

⚠️ Steam version only.

🎮 Before Launching:

Run the game normally from Steam.
Change graphics settings as needed for each player.
For better performance, it is recommended to use Low/Very Low graphics settings per instance if you are using low end pc.

🕹️ Controllers:

When you're at the main menu:
- Press the A button on each gamepad to activate it in its respective window.

🌐 Multiplayer Setup:

✅ Hosting a Server:

From the main menu:
- Go to Multiplayer > Host.
Select the number of players.
Adjust map settings if needed.
Click Start to launch the server.

🔗 Joining as a Client:

From the menu:
- Go to Multiplayer > Friends.
Wait for the host's server to appear.
Click it to join.

📴 Playing Offline / LAN:

Make sure all players are on the same local network (LAN).
It’s recommended to set Steam to Offline Mode to avoid connection issues.

⌨️ Multi-Keyboard & Mouse Tips:

After all game windows have been resized and repositioned:
- Press the END key once to lock input and enable multi-cursor support.
- Press END again to unlock input when you're done playing.

🙌 Special Thanks:

💡 Talos91 — for helping with the handler.
🧪 Moss_oH — for testing.

About Stormworks: Build and Rescue

Design and pilot your own sea-rescue service, in a rich and dramatic physics playground. Steer or fly your custom-designed, block based, programmable vehicles into fierce oceanic storms. Plan and execute thrilling rescues in a variety of challenging crisis scenarios.

Summary from IGDB