Don't Starve Solo: PC Split-Screen Hacks for Couch Co-Op

1

Official Status: Does DST Support Local Co-Op on PC?

In a word, no – Don't Starve Together on PC does not have native split-screen or local co-op options. Unlike the console versions (PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch), which let a second player join in splitscreen, the PC edition has this feature disabled by design.

Why no split-screen on PC?

Steam Account Requirements: DST on PC is tied to Steam accounts for online play. Two players would require handling multiple accounts or a "guest" system.
Technical Hurdles: The game's engine wasn't initially built for handling multiple input devices separately on PC.
Alternative Solution: When DST first launched in Early Access, Klei gave PC players a free extra copy to share with a friend.
Focus on Online Multiplayer: DST is heavily centered on online multiplayer, making local co-op a lower priority.

The bottom line: Officially, you cannot plug two controllers into your PC and start split-screen DST. The "Local" option you see when hosting a world is meant for LAN games (i.e. two PCs on the same network), not same-screen play.

💡

Fun fact: Console versions support 2-player split-screen (and the Switch even allows online play in split-screen). Many PC players find it "extremely weird" that a game literally called Don't Starve Together forces PC friends to play apart.

Will Klei ever add PC split-screen? As of the latest updates in 2025, there's no indication they will. Players have been asking for ~8 years; one recent official forum post in late 2023 had no dev response, but lots of community support for the idea.

2

Workarounds Overview: Playing DST Together on One PC

Just because it's not built-in doesn't mean it's impossible. PC gamers are a resourceful bunch, and several workarounds have been developed to achieve split-screen or shared-screen play in Don't Starve Together.

Method	Extra Software	Difficulty	Online Capable?	Pros/Cons
Nucleus Co-Op	Nucleus Co-Op	Easy	No (LAN only)	✅ Automated setup ✅ User friendly ❌ Offline only
Universal Split Screen	USS + Goldberg	Medium	No (LAN only)	✅ More control ✅ Good for learning ❌ Manual setup ❌ Offline only
Multiple Steam Instances	Sandboxie	Hard	Yes	✅ Online capable ✅ Both players get drops ❌ Complex setup ❌ Requires two copies
Multi-seat Software	Aster (paid)	Hard	Yes	✅ Like two PCs ❌ Paid software ❌ Complex setup
Steam Link/Cloud	Steam Link or GeForce Now	Medium	Yes	✅ Separate screens ✅ No more split view ❌ Needs second device ❌ Streaming latency

Note: There's no single mod you can download from the Steam Workshop to enable split-screen. The solutions involve external programs or OS-level tricks, not just a game mod. The good news: for most methods, you only need one copy of the game.

Let's start with the most user-friendly method that many players in 2023-2025 have had success with: Nucleus Co-Op.

3

Method 1: Nucleus Co-Op - Easy Split-Screen Setup

Nucleus Co-Op is a widely-used open-source program designed to make split-screen gaming on PC as painless as possible. It supports hundreds of games (even those that don't normally support local play) by launching multiple instances and arranging them on your screen.

Nucleus Co-Op setup for Don't Starve Together split-screen

Nucleus Co-Op interface showing DST setup

What Nucleus Co-Op does for DST:

Launches two instances of Don't Starve Together on your PC (with one click)
Handles the trickery of logging in one instance offline (using Goldberg emulator)
Splits your screen into horizontal or vertical halves
Assigns controller/keyboard inputs to each instance

Step-by-Step: Using Nucleus Co-Op for DST

Download & Install Nucleus Co-Op

Go to the official Nucleus Co-Op site and grab the latest version. Extract the ZIP somewhere convenient (e.g. C:\NucleusCoop\). No "installation" needed beyond that.
Install the DST Script

Nucleus typically can fetch game scripts from an online repository. When you run Nucleus (NucleusCoop.exe), you might need to Download Game Scripts or it may auto-update the script list. Ensure Don't Starve Together appears in the library.
Set Up Controllers

Before starting the game, plug in your controllers (if using them). Nucleus will list all detected input devices.
Configure Players

In Nucleus, select DST from the list. You'll see the "Players" setup screen. Drag and drop your controllers/keyboard to Player 1 and Player 2 slots.

Choose Horizontal (Top/Bottom) or Vertical (Left/Right) split. Horizontal is recommended for DST, since it gives each player a wider field of view.
Configure Game Location

The first time, Nucleus might ask you to locate dontstarve_steam.exe. Browse to your DST install folder (e.g. C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Don't Starve Together\bin\).
```
steam_appid.txt (created by Nucleus):
322330
```
Launch the Game via Nucleus

Click the Start button. Nucleus will begin opening two instances of DST. The first instance might pop up and go through the normal menu; the second follows shortly after.

Allow access for DST on private networks if you see a Windows Firewall prompt.
Host and Join the World
- On one instance, have Player 1 Host Game. Set the server type to Local (LAN) only.
- Start the world. Player 1 will load in as the host.
- On the other game instance (Player 2), from the main menu choose Browse Games. Find the name of the world Player 1 hosted, and Join it.
- Both players choose their characters. You'll now both be in the same world, each within your own half of the screen!
Adjust in-game settings
- Set Input Device appropriately (controller if using one)
- Set HUD Size to Large for better visibility
- Lower graphics settings if performance is an issue
- Consider lowering music volume on one instance to avoid echo

Don't Starve Together on same PC local co-op, split-screen gameplay with horizontal split

Above: Example of split-screen DST on PC (horizontal split). Nucleus Co-Op makes it straightforward by managing two game instances and inputs automatically.

Troubleshooting Nucleus Co-Op:

LAN game doesn't show up for Player 2: Ensure both instances are in LAN mode. Try direct connect via console if needed. Check Windows firewall settings.
Instance crashes on startup: Make sure Steam is open (for the first instance). Verify DST files via Steam if needed.
Controllers not working properly: Delete the client.ini file in Documents\Klei\DoNotStarveTogether\ before launching. Turn off Steam Big Picture controller configurations.
Performance issues: Try lowering resolution or graphics settings.

4

Method 2: DIY Split-Screen - Universal Split Screen & Goldberg

This method achieves the same result as Nucleus, but manually. It's a good learning exercise and a fallback option if Nucleus doesn't work for you. The core idea is:

Run two instances of DST on your PC by using a Steam emulator to bypass Steam's single-instance limit
Use Universal Split Screen (USS) to manage inputs and window focus

Important: We use Goldberg only to allow a second local instance. You should still own the game on Steam. This is about enabling LAN play, not piracy. Goldberg is open-source and often used for exactly this kind of scenario.

Step-by-Step Manual Setup:

A. Prepare the Game Files for Multi-Launch:

Find your DST install folder (e.g., ...Steam\steamapps\common\Don't Starve Together\bin\)
Create a steam_appid.txt file with DST's Steam ID:
```
steam_appid.txt:
322330
```
Download Goldberg emulator from its GitLab
Backup original steam_api.dll by renaming it (e.g., to steam_api.dll.valve)
Copy the Goldberg steam_api.dll to the bin folder

Configure Goldberg for Player 2:

account_name.txt:
Player2

user_steam_id.txt:
4805318

B. Launch Two Instances:

Launch Player 1 (Main instance): Run DST via Steam as normal
Launch Player 2 (Second instance): Run dontstarve_steam.exe again while the first instance is still running
Click "Play Offline" when prompted in the second instance

C. Connect the Two Games (LAN):

In the first instance, Host Game and set it to "Local Only"
In the second instance, go to Browse Games and find the LAN game
Join the world and select characters on both instances

D. Arrange Windows and Inputs (Universal Split Screen):

Download and launch Universal Split Screen
Go to Options > Load Preset and choose Don't Starve Together if available
Assign controls to each window:
- Select the first DST window and assign keyboard/mouse or controller
- Select the second DST window and assign the second controller or keyboard
Click "Start Split Screen" in USS

Pros of Manual Method:

Fine-grained control over the setup
Better understanding of how things work
Helps troubleshoot if Nucleus doesn't work
Potentially support more than 2 players

Cons of Manual Method:

Time-consuming to set up
Requires repeating steps when restarting
More complex for non-technical users
Potential for mistakes in file editing

5

Method 3: Two Accounts on One PC (Family Share or Sandbox)

You might wonder, "What if I do have two DST accounts – can I use them to play online together on one PC?" This scenario is tricky, but possible with advanced methods.

The Challenge:

Steam doesn't allow one user to run two games, and doesn't allow the same game to run twice under one account. Family Sharing won't help either as it prevents simultaneous play.

Potential Solutions:

1. Two Windows User Sessions

Log in to Windows as User1, launch Steam with Account A, start DST
Use Win+L to switch user, log in as User2, launch Steam with Account B, start DST
Use Remote Desktop or similar to view both sessions

2. Sandboxie Method

Install Sandboxie Plus
Set it to run Steam.exe in a sandbox (so it doesn't conflict with your main Steam)
Log that sandboxed Steam into Account B and launch DST from there
Meanwhile Account A runs DST outside the sandbox

3. Virtual Machines

Run a lightweight Windows VM or Windows Sandbox
Install Steam and DST in the VM
Run one instance natively, one in the VM

Pros:

Each player is actually online with their own profile
Both get drops, experience, and can play on official servers
True online play from one physical machine

Cons:

Hardest to set up
Running two full Steam clients is resource-intensive
Requires two game copies
Complex and potentially unstable

Note: If your goal is just to play together on one screen in the same room, you usually don't need this complexity – a LAN/offline split-screen session is simpler and more stable.

6

Method 4: Steam Link or Cloud Play (One PC, Two Screens)

This isn't a new method so much as a variation: using Steam Link or cloud gaming to give each player their own screen while still using just one gaming PC.

Steam Link setup for Don't Starve Together with two screens

Example setup: Gaming PC runs two DST instances, with one streaming to a second screen

Option 1: Steam Link / Remote Play

Run two DST instances in windowed mode on your PC
Use Steam Remote Play to stream the second instance's window to another device (TV, tablet, etc.)
Each player gets their own screen: one on the PC monitor, one on the streaming device

Option 2: Parsec / Moonlight

Position the second DST window on a separate virtual desktop
Stream that desktop view to a secondary device using Parsec or Moonlight
Provides more flexibility than Steam's built-in streaming

Option 3: Cloud Gaming

Player 1 uses the local PC to run DST
Player 2 uses GeForce Now (or similar) on a low-end device to run their own instance
Both join the same online server or one hosts for the other

Reality Check: These methods are somewhat convoluted. If you have a second device capable of receiving a stream, that device might be able to run DST directly. However, these approaches can work if the second device is very low-powered (like a smart TV, tablet, or old laptop).

7

Tuning Performance for Two-Client Play

Running two instances of Don't Starve Together will naturally double the load on your system. Here are some tips to keep your framerate steady:

Graphics Settings

Lower resolution (e.g., 1280x720 for each instance)
Bloom: Off
Ambient Occlusion: Off
Screen Shake: Low or off
Anti-aliasing: Off or Low
Lag Compensation: Off (might reduce CPU load slightly)

World & Mod Considerations

Generate a smaller world if performance is an issue
Reduce mod usage (especially heavy server-side mods)
Avoid mods that increase entity count or complex AI
Stick to client-side cosmetic mods if any

System Optimization

Cap framerate to 60 or even 30 FPS
Close background applications
Assign different CPU cores to each DST instance (Task Manager > Details > Set Affinity)
Monitor temperatures - two games generate more heat

Advanced: CPU Affinity

For multi-core CPUs, you can improve performance by assigning each game instance to different cores:

Open Task Manager > Details
Find both dontstarve_steam.exe processes
Right-click > Set Affinity
Assign first instance to cores 1-4, second to cores 5-8 (on an 8-core CPU)

Good News: DST isn't super graphically intensive, so many mid-range PCs can handle two instances, especially with optimized settings. CPU and RAM are usually the bottlenecks (each instance can use 2-3GB RAM).

8

Optimizing Controls & UI for Two Players

Beyond raw performance, you want the experience to be comfortable and playable for both people. Here are some UI and control tips:

Don't Starve Together settings menu showing HUD size options and controls

Adjust these settings for better split-screen experience

Controller Setup

Use controllers for couch comfort if possible
DST has good gamepad support with radial menus
One player on keyboard + one on controller works well
If using two controllers, Nucleus/USS will map them correctly
If controllers aren't working, delete client.ini in Documents\Klei\DoNotStarveTogether\

UI Improvements

Set HUD Size to Large in Options for better visibility
Toggle HUD with Ctrl+H if needed for a cleaner view
Horizontal split (top/bottom) typically works better for UI elements
Consider UI scaling mods if text is still too small

Split Orientation

Horizontal split (Top/Bottom): Wide but shorter view. Recommended for DST's open world.
Vertical split (Side-by-Side): Full height but narrow view. Can feel cramped horizontally.
Multi-monitor: Ideal if available - one game per screen.
Use Windows snap (Win + arrow keys) for manual positioning.

Multi-monitor tips:

If you have two displays, you can give each player their own screen:

Run each DST instance in windowed or borderless mode
Drag one to each monitor (Nucleus can automate this placement)
Each instance can run at full resolution
This isn't split-screen in the traditional sense, but same-PC co-op

9

Common Issues and Q&A

Do I need to purchase DST twice to do this?

No, not for local split-screen. One copy is fine. The second instance in our methods runs via a Steam emulator in offline mode, so it doesn't require a separate Steam login or game license. If you want both players online with separate accounts, then yes you'd need two copies.

Is using Goldberg or these tools legal/allowed?

It falls in a gray area but generally yes for personal use. You're not distributing anything illegally, you're modifying your own game to run offline. Many legitimate uses exist (e.g., LAN parties where internet isn't available). Klei hasn't banned anyone for this as far as we know – just don't try to use it to pirate or cheat.

Can we play split-screen on PC and have a third friend join online?

Potentially, if the host world is set to online and the host instance is logged in online. But the second local player is offline (no Klei account), so they might not be allowed to join an online server. The safest bet is no, you can't combine local split and online players in DST PC. Consoles can do this, but PC split-screen is unofficial.

What about a 4-player split-screen, is it possible?

Theoretically, if you have a monster PC, you could run 4 instances via Nucleus or manually. But expect severe UI cramping and performance issues. It's not a practical scenario for DST. Plus, coordinating four inputs and screens would be madness unless you have multiple monitors.

Is split-screen available on Steam Deck or Linux?

There's no official toggle. Since Deck is basically a PC, you could try the same methods. Nucleus Co-Op doesn't run on Linux, but there is a Linux fork called Proxy Space or you could try running Nucleus via Proton. It's complicated though. Some have had success using SteamTinkerLauncher on Linux to run two instances.

Will using these methods mess up my regular DST game or get me banned?

It shouldn't mess up your game. Keep a backup of your client.ini and any files we change. When you want to play normally, you can either use Steam's "Verify Integrity of Game Files" to restore the original steam_api.dll, or simply rename the original back. Nucleus usually restores the original after the session ends. As for bans – no known cases for this kind of usage.

Why is the second player named something weird like LobbyPlayer?

When using the emulator/dummy account, the second player will not have your Steam nickname. They might appear as the account name you set (e.g., Player2) or some default if not set. You can actually change the dummy name in account_name.txt to whatever you like.

The game says mods can't be used because I'm offline – what to do?

If you're running the second instance offline, it might not load Steam Workshop mods. One workaround is to copy the mods locally. DST stores mods in ..\DoNotStarveTogether\mods\ and caches them. You could manually ensure both instances have the needed mod files. If mods are critical, consider having the main host subscribe to them and then when the offline player joins, they should get the mod data from the host.

After an update, my split-screen stopped working – help?

When DST updates, it may overwrite the steam_api.dll back to the official one. So you might need to re-copy the Goldberg dll. Nucleus usually handles updates by re-applying its script; make sure you update the Nucleus script if an update broke it. Also, sometimes after updates, config files might reset – so double-check the steam_appid.txt is still there.

10

Conclusion: Survive Together on One PC

Playing Don't Starve Together on the same PC might not be plug-and-play, but it is entirely possible with a bit of effort. While Klei hasn't (yet) given us official PC couch co-op, the community-driven methods fill the gap nicely.

Quick Recap

Easiest: Use Nucleus Co-Op – it's basically a one-click solution to get DST split-screen, perfect for most players.
Manual: If you like control or troubleshooting, go the Universal Split Screen + Goldberg route to launch multiple DST instances yourself.
Hardware alternatives: Consider a secondary device (even a low-end one with streaming) or multi-seat apps.
Prepare to tweak: Adjust settings for performance, use controllers for comfort, and bump up that HUD size.

Tools & Resources

Tool	Description	Link
Nucleus Co-Op	One-click split-screen solution with DST support	Official Website
Universal Split Screen	Manual approach for splitting screens and inputs	Documentation
Goldberg Emulator	For offline Steam emulation (multiple instances)	GitLab
Sandboxie Plus	For running multiple Steam instances	Official Website
Don't Starve Together Forums	Community support and discussions	Klei Forums

DST Split-Screen Patch History ▼

With these tools, you and your friend/partner can cozy up and enjoy Don't Starve Together side-by-side, sharing the same screen and the same PC. There's something special about yelling at each other from the couch when Deerclops shows up, instead of over Discord. Now you can live that experience on PC too!

Lastly, keep an eye on the DST community. New updates or fan-made solutions can emerge. For now, though, you're equipped with the ultimate guide to DIY couch co-op in Don't Starve Together. Time to fire up those two copies of the game and dive into the Constant together – just don't forget an extra controller and maybe some snacks!

📖 Don't Starve Solo: PC Split-Screen Hacks for Couch Co-Op

How to Play Don't Starve Together on the Same PC

Table of Contents