The backyard of Grounded is a vast, terrifying, and beautiful landscape. From the towering blades of grass to the ominous depths of the Koi Pond, it’s a world best experienced with a friend. The desire to share this survival adventure side-by-side, on the same couch, leads many players to a crucial question: “Is Grounded split screen?”
The answer is a significant and deliberate yes. Obsidian Entertainment not only included split-screen functionality at the game’s 1.0 launch but has designed it as a core pillar of the experience, supporting both online and local cooperative play. This commitment to couch co-op is a celebrated feature in an era where many multiplayer titles focus solely on online connectivity.
This article will explore the mechanics of split-screen in Grounded, its technical requirements, its impact on gameplay, and why its implementation is so valuable to the player community.
How Split-Screen Works in Grounded
Grounded offers a flexible and user-friendly split-screen experience that caters to different preferences and setups.
- Number of Players: The game supports local split-screen for up to two players on a single console or PC. For larger groups of up to four players total, the remaining participants must join the game online. This means you can have two players on one console and two others joining remotely, all in the same shared backyard.
- Screen Orientation: Players have a choice between two classic split-screen views:
- Horizontal Split: The screen is divided into two horizontal rectangles, one on top of the other. This is often preferred for its wider field of view, which is beneficial for navigating the game’s open environments.
- Vertical Split: The screen is divided into two vertical rectangles, side-by-side. Some players prefer this for a more focused, tunnel-vision view, which can feel more immersive for first-person gameplay.
The choice can be made in the game’s settings, allowing players to switch based on their preference or the specific activity they’re undertaking in the game.
- Joining a Game: Starting a split-screen session is intuitive. The primary player (Player 1) starts or loads their game. Once in the world, a second player (Player 2) simply presses a button on their connected controller (on console) or signs in with a second account (on PC via Xbox app/Game Pass). Their character will then appear in the world, and the screen will instantly split.
The Technical Considerations: Performance and Requirements
Playing any modern game in split-screen effectively requires the hardware to render the game world twice from two different perspectives. This is inherently more demanding than single-player or even online multiplayer, where each console or PC only handles one view.
- On Console (Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One): The game is optimized to maintain a stable frame rate in split-screen, though some visual concessions are made. You may notice a slight decrease in draw distance (objects pop in closer to the camera) or a lower resolution during intense moments to prioritize smooth gameplay. The Series X|S handles this far more robustly than the Xbox One, offering a more consistent and higher-fidelity experience.
- On PC: The performance impact is directly tied to the power of your PC. A robust gaming rig with a powerful graphics card (GPU) and a strong processor (CPU) will handle split-screen with minimal issues, potentially even maintaining high graphics settings. Less powerful systems may need to lower the overall graphical quality to ensure a playable frame rate for both players.
- The “Tether”: A common feature in many open-world split-screen games is a “tether,” a invisible boundary that prevents players from straying too far apart. This is a technical necessity to prevent the game from having to load two entirely different areas of the map simultaneously, which would cause significant performance problems. Grounded implements a very generous tether, allowing players to explore a large radius independently. If players move too far apart, the game will provide an on-screen countdown, and if they don’t move closer, the distant player will be teleported back to the host.
Why Split-Screen is a Game-Changer for Grounded
The inclusion of robust split-screen functionality is not just a checkbox feature; it fundamentally enhances the Grounded experience in several key ways:
- Shared Discovery and Terror: The magic of Grounded lies in its sense of scale and wonder. Discovering a new insect for the first time, stumbling upon a hidden lab, or being ambushed by a Wolf Spider is an unforgettable moment. Experiencing that shock, awe, or fear simultaneously with someone in the same room creates a powerful shared memory that online play, with its voice chat delay and physical separation, can’t quite replicate. The immediate reaction—a jump, a shout, a laugh—is part of the fun.
- Instant, Seamless Collaboration: Survival games are about teamwork. Split-screen allows for effortless, real-time strategy. You can quickly point out resources on the screen, plan an attack on a spider web, or coordinate building your base without needing to describe locations over a headset. The ability to simply say, “Look over here!” and have your partner instantly see what you see streamlines communication and deepens the cooperative spirit.
- Accessibility and Family Gaming: Grounded‘s premise is incredibly appealing to a wide age range. Split-screen makes it an excellent choice for siblings to play together or for parents to guide their children through the intimidating backyard. It lowers the barrier to entry, as only one copy of the game and one console/PC are needed for two people to play.
- Preserving the Couch Co-op Tradition: In a gaming landscape dominated by online multiplayer, the dedication to local co-op is a nod to a cherished tradition. It emphasizes playing together in a shared physical space, fostering a different kind of social interaction that many gamers still deeply value.
Potential Drawbacks and Considerations
While overwhelmingly positive, it’s fair to acknowledge the inherent challenges of split-screen:
- Reduced Screen Real Estate: Each player has half the screen, which can make spotting distant threats or small resources slightly more challenging.
- Performance Trade-offs: As mentioned, even on powerful hardware, split-screen will not run or look as pristine as the single-player experience.
- The Tether: While generous, the tether can feel restrictive for players who are used to the complete freedom of going anywhere independently in online play.
Conclusion
The question “Is Grounded split screen?” is met with a resounding and impressive affirmation. Obsidian Entertainment didn’t just tack on the feature; they integrated it thoughtfully into the core of the game’s cooperative vision. While it requires some technical compromises, the payoff is immense. It transforms Grounded from a solitary survival struggle into a shared adventure, full of moments of collective panic, triumph, and discovery that are best experienced side-by-side with a friend on the same couch. It is a defining feature that solidifies the game’s place as a top-tier cooperative experience.
Informational FAQs
Q1: Is split-screen available on all platforms?
A: Yes, split-screen is available on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, and Windows PC (through the Xbox app or Steam). All platforms support both online and local split-screen co-op.
Q2: Do both players need an Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate subscription?
A: For online multiplayer, yes, the standard subscription rules apply. However, for local split-screen play only, the second player does not need a separate subscription. Only the primary account needs to be signed in with an active subscription if playing online with others.
Q3: Do both players need their own Microsoft account?
A: On console, a second player can typically join as a “guest” without a dedicated account for casual play. However, to save their character progress and achievements to a specific profile, they will need to be signed in with their own Microsoft account. On PC, separate logins are required.
Q4: Can split-screen players join an online friend’s game?
A: Yes. The local host (Player 1) can invite online friends to their game. The session will then include the two local split-screen players and up to two additional online players, for a full party of four.
Q5: Can I play split-screen if I bought the game on Steam?
A: Yes, the split-screen feature is fully supported on the Steam version of the game. The process involves connecting a second controller and having the second player sign into a Steam account or a guest profile.
