L4D co-op offline aka split screen on PC

LEFT 4 DEAD SPLITSCREEN ON PC!
UPDATED FOR USE WITH THE FULL GAME

For those who have been wondering about the leftover splitscreen code in left 4 dead and how to get it working, I have gotten it working. Below are the steps to get it working yourself

1. Find an XBOX360 controller

2. Plug it in

3. Edit your 360controller.cfg file located in your \left4dead\cfg folder

Copy and paste the following and overwrite other information in your 360controller.cfg
Code:

unbindall // Prevent mouse/keyboard control when gamepad is in use (to prevent autoaim exploit)

joystick 1
joy_advanced "1" // use advanced joystick options (allows for multiple axes)

joy_name "L4D Xbox360 Joystick Configuration"
joy_advaxisx 3 // x-axis controls GAME_AXIS_SIDE (strafing left and right)
joy_advaxisy 1 // y-axis controls GAME_AXIS_FORWARD (move forward and back)
joy_advaxisz 0 // z-axis is treated like a button
joy_advaxisr 2 // r-axis controls GAME_AXIS_PITCH (look up and down)
joy_advaxisu 4 // u-axis controls GAME_AXIS_YAW (look left and right)
joy_advaxisv 0 // v-axis is unused
joy_forwardsensitivity -1.0 // movement sensitivity
joy_sidesensitivity 1.0
joy_forwardthreshold 0.1 // movement dead zone settings
joy_sidethreshold 0.1
joy_pitchsensitivity 1.0 // look sensitivity
joy_yawsensitivity -1.5
joy_pitchthreshold 0.1 // look dead zone settings
joy_yawthreshold 0.0

joy_variable_frametime 1
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joy_autoaimdampen 0.5
joy_lowend 0.65
joy_lowmap 0.15
joy_accelscale 3.0
joy_accelmax 4.0
joy_response_move 5
joy_response_look 1
joy_autoaimdampen 0.3
joy_autoaimdampenrange 0.85
joyadvancedupdate // advanced joystick update allows for analog control of move and look

// Alternate control 1
bind "0" "slot10"
bind "1" "slot1"
bind "2" "slot2"
bind "3" "slot3"
bind "4" "slot4"
bind "5" "slot5"
bind "6" "slot6"
bind "7" "slot7"
bind "8" "slot8"
bind "9" "slot9"
bind "a" "+moveleft"
bind "c" "+voicerecord"
bind "d" "+moveright"
bind "e" "+use"
bind "f" "impulse 100"
bind "h" "motd"
bind "m" "chooseteam"
bind "q" "lastinv"
bind "r" "+reload"
bind "s" "+back"
bind "t" "impulse 201"
bind "u" "messagemode2"
bind "w" "+forward"
bind "x" "+mouse_menu QA"
bind "y" "messagemode"
bind "z" "+mouse_menu Orders"
bind "`" "toggleconsole"
bind "SPACE" "+jump"
bind "TAB" "+showscores"
bind "ESCAPE" "cancelselect"
bind "SHIFT" "+speed"
bind "CTRL" "+duck"
bind "F1" "Vote Yes"
bind "F2" "Vote No"
bind "F5" "jpeg"
bind "MOUSE1" "+attack"
bind "MOUSE2" "+attack2"
bind "MOUSE3" "+zoom"
bind "MWHEELUP" "invprev"
bind "MWHEELDOWN" "invnext"


// controller2 bindings
cmd2 +jlook // enable joystick look
cmd2 bind "A_BUTTON" "+jump;+menuAccept" // (A) button - Jump -menuAccpt allows us to make selections on hud menus
cmd2 bind "B_BUTTON" "+reload" // (B) button - Reload
cmd2 bind "X_BUTTON" "+use" // (X) Use
cmd2 bind "Y_BUTTON" "lastinv" // (Y) button - swap pistol/rifle or z_abort -used to respawn as a ghost.
cmd2 bind "R_TRIGGER" "+attack" // RT - Main weapon - Primary trigger
cmd2 bind "L_TRIGGER" "+attack2" // LT - Melee
cmd2 bind "R_SHOULDER" "+lookspin" // RB - Fast 180 spin
cmd2 bind "L_SHOULDER" "toggle_duck" // LB - Duck - is also used to give objects to people.
cmd2 bind "STICK1" "vocalize smartlook" // LS - vocalize
cmd2 bind "STICK2" "+zoom" // RS click - Rifle Zoom

// Fixed bindings, do not change these across joystick presets
cmd2 bind "BACK" "togglescores" // (back) button - scores
cmd2 bind "START" "pause" // (start) button - pause
cmd2 bind "S1_UP" "+menuUp" // Hud menu Up
cmd2 bind "S1_DOWN" "+menuDown" // Hud menu Down
cmd2 bind "UP" "impulse 100" // DPad Up - Toggle flashlight
cmd2 bind "LEFT" "slot3" // DPad Left - grenade
cmd2 bind "RIGHT" "slot4" // DPad Right - health
cmd2 bind &quot;DOWN&quot; &quot;slot5&quot; // DPad Down - Pills</pre>

4. IT IS NECESSARY THAT YOU SET THE 360 CONTROLLER SET TO PLAYER 2, THIS MEANS THE LIGHT INDICATOR ON THE CONTROLLER MUST BE ON THE NUMBER 2! -Red text below indicates how to do this

5. Boot up the game

6. open console and type "Exec 360controller.cfg" without the quotations

7. Set your split screen mode to either Horizontal-Cut (ss_splitmode 1) or Vertical-Cut (ss_splitmode 2) through the console, vertical cut is meant for widescreen monitors and dual monitor setups while the horizontal for standard monitors

8. Open the console and enter ss_enable 1 once this is enabled you can simply start a single player game through the menu and splitscreen will already be enabled.

Alternatively, join an online game and enter " ss_connect" to add a splitscreen player and "ss_disconnect" to remove.

9. HAVE THE CONTROLLER SET TO PLAYER 1, START A GAME AND AS SOON AS THE LOADING SCREEN APPEARS UNPLUG THE CONTROLLER, WAIT ONE OR TWO SECONDS AND PLUG IT BACK IN BEFORE THE GAME STARTS

10. PLAY CO-OP THE WAY ITS MEANT TO BE PLAYED!

11. People with controllers other than Xbox 360 controllers will have to create their own controller configurations, simply edit the above CFG to match your controller. Lines that start with "cmd2 bind" are the controls you will need to set.

This is really fantastic VALVe is the last developer I would expect to make a splitscreen pc game and I am crying with joy that this is possible, note the fact that the game is running at 1680X1050 in those screenshots with a solid 60fps on both screens with max settings 4xaa on only an 8800gt.

Hope this helps those who want to play in splitscreen on their pc, hopefully a patch will come out that can make this process much simpiler.


COMMANDS

To invert look up/down put:

joy_inverty 1 (player 1/joystick 1?)
or
joy_inverty2 1 (player 2/joystick 2?)

Use "name2 yournamehere" to change player 2's name

You could set up a dedicated server using the tool in steam. Then connect to your LAN ip (192.168.x.xxx) Use the command "sv_lan 1" to restrict it to your network only.


Find a server using the server browser (openserverbrowser) and copy it's IP in the server properties. Then type "connect_splitscreen <paste ip here> 2" in console.


command to disable lobby support/let me join empty server
sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0


You can only join servers via the connect command if they support direct joining, i.e. no lobby. To do that, the command "sv_allow_lobby_connect_only 0"


FOR PS/2 SUPPORT SEE PAGE 2
THANKS TO AznImports602 FOR HIS RESEARCH

off the steam powered forums. All credit goes to thebusguy

http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=745113

i hope i didnt bring anything old up .... if its old and every body knows then, i just made a ugh oh


here are screens

http://img122.imageshack.us/img122/8650/l4ddemhospital01apartmesg0.jpg
horizontal

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/4238/l4ddemhospital01apartmedv0.jpg
vertical

 

Sounds pretty impressive. I might just grab hold of an Xbox controller just to try it out.

 

it works i can post screen shots if you want

 

Why not? + rep.

 

those are not my screen shots but i dont have time to connect and set up to get them but i will vouch that it works

 

Yea I seen this thread when it was first made on the steam forum. I have a ps2 controller with the adapter to usb, Ima try it out sometimes.

 

Wonder why this isn't a fully fleshed out feature for L4D then?

 

Does this mean that two people can play on the same computer from one Steam account? If so, that could be a reason why Valve didn't want to have support for this.

 

i believe it works online ... i do not know for sure, i have not tested but playing offline is no problem.


here is how

Find a server using the server browser (openserverbrowser) and copy it's IP in the server properties. Then type "connect_splitscreen <paste ip here> 2" in console.


just added more commands and ps/2 controller support. This does work online

 

I also heard about this months ago, but could never get it to work right. I just tried again and STILL can't get it to work right. No matter what controller I use, I either can't get player 2 to control AT ALL, or I can get player 2 to control, but it can't walk, I can move around the view, jump, crouch, and that's it, can't shoot, bash, move, or change weapons. Player one can move with both the keyboard and controller fine, it's kind of aggravating because implementing this into the game would be a 10 minute thing for the devs..

Gamepads suck anyhow, It's too bad I can't just let someone else play the second screen with my wireless mouse and keyboard while I play the other with my main mouse and keyboard. Either that or just let people play friggen LAN without having to buy a second copy of the game.

 

nice to see a little "hack" now for me to create the wiimote version

 

This sounds great but I dont like to play co-op in split screen. I have a 40" HDTV is there any way i can use my laptop screen for player 1 and my TV for player 2 or vice versa?

 

does this work for ps3 controllers?

 

not really, when your do split screen your just telling the game to split the screen, when you want two seperate screens thats a hardware thing and your game would have to be designed for dual monitors (almost none are) the only workaround would be a very odd custom resolution that spans two monitors in extended desktop mode vertically and have the game res hacked to fit both screens.

 

the 6 axis controllers as long as the layout is the same it should try it out and lemme know.


also i have no idea why they just didn't do this them selfs....? and put it straight in the game

 

K anyone can help me here, I got this to run where I get split screen but the keyboard and the gamepad controls first player, how can I get second player to move?

 

Alright, so I heard about this a long time ago, and there are some fun things you can do with this, if you have 2 monitors you can give each person their own screen, you can use this in online co-op AND online versus. Search around and there are some guides but it is all pretty easy, the simple version:
extended desktop on your 2nd monitor and then use ss_splitmode 1 or 2 depending on how you extended your desktop, and for online find one with an empty spot in game and type sv_connect, if I'm not mistaken

EDIT: To AznImports602, unplug your controller from the USB slot when you are loading and then plug it back in, I don't know what kind of gamepad you are using but I know that works for 360 controllers. (Wired and Wireless)

 

any commands you need there up there

 

http://revvergoodies.blogspot.com/2008/11/play-left-4-dead-split-screen-with-ps3.html

Be careful though, there are some comments from some guy saying that it messed up his computer....not sure how true this is. But if you manage to get it working properly, do let me know, I'd like to play L4D with my console fanboy friend.

 

yeah i came across that guide some time ago also. i'd love to try but im currently running on vista 64 and the drivers for the ps3 controllers only use xp/vista 32bit so sorry cant try it

edit: the comments on the bottom scare me too lol. i dont want usbs going berserk and having to re-format

 

Yeah, I'm stuck on Vista 64 as well. I will do more hunting and see what I can find.

 

You knows its amazing i have this game and played online alot but i NEVER noticed that there wasn't split screen coop in the PC version that really sucks i though me and my brother would play once i see him soon and it looks like i have to do all of this

 

Ok guys I have finally got split screen co-op working right with my usb to ps2 controller.

Here is how:

First download the following programs:
http://ppjoy.bossstation.dnsalias.org/
and
http://www.wingmanteam.com/latest_software/gadgets.htm#JoyIDs_Utility:

When you finished installing ppjoy, boot it up.
- just click on the add button and hit add when a window pops up and you will notice that windows is installing new drivers and saying you are good to use it.
- Also I just left the windows on and didn't close out of it

Ok now plug in your controller that second player is going to be using.

Then install JoyID
- load up the app and you should see parallel port joystick 1 in the idm#1 and whatever you joystick is call should be in idm#2.

Now leave both windows open and boot up left 4 dead.
Complete steps 6-8, but you really only have to do 6# and 8#.

And that is all my fellow NBR, you are good to play co-op split screen and the best thing about this is that you do not have to unplug your controller back in and out.

I figure out how to do this after reading many pages in the steam forums. O and im using vista 32 bit, if that matters. And of course I used the ps2 config text.

 

thanks for the info , btw sorry i wasn't more helpful +1 rep to you for your information

 

Thanks man, rep you back since you got me working on it!

 

i added thanks to you and directed to page 2 for ps/2 support

 

note: ppjoy wont work on a x64 os. I use it for my wiimote scripts.

 

yea i realized that but i figured id link it any ways. More people still use 32 bit then 64 bit ....although i have seen alotta desktops running 64 bit. Just ones in office depot and walmart , it starting to happen there finally releaseing 64 bit into the wild

 

Yea I think most people are transitioning to 64bit in the mainstream now because computers with alot of ram sell quick because most people seem to think the amount of ram determines a PC's overall performance.

I was wondering why ppjoy was showing as a broken file when I installed it. And using the JoyIDs program setting the controller to the 2nd makes it completely not work at all.

I think I'll just wait until something easier is done that adds in splitscreen support and controller mapping in game for the second player. Either an addon mod that adds support in the game's menu, or something official by valve.

 

Yea if you cant use any of those program the only other alternative at the moment is to get two controllers plug in.

 

Think this would work for L4D? http://www.saitek.com/uk/prod/p990.htm

Or will plugging another mouse and keyboard in allow a second player?

 

Good point. Although it seems like they'd let you play two players split screen, it's not like someone else is getting this game "free". They have to play with someone else simultaneously. Plus you're at a disadvantage because you see less of the screen.

Kind of reminds me of Starcraft where you can install a spawn copy on three other PC's so you can play multiplayer. Although that's kind of funny considering it's one of the most sold PC games in history.

 

Just an update on this, for those who have Vista64 and can't use things like PPJoy. I got it working last night with a Saitek P3200 that I picked up on sale for $10. Unfortunately, the unplugging/replugging method posted on the Valve forums did not work for me. But I plugged in my buddy's PS3 sixaxis and assigned that to be the preferred controller in Control Panel>Game Controllers, even though the sixaxis is unresponsive due to driver issues. So it appears L4D assigned the sixaxis to player 1 and the P3200 to player 2.

Bottom line - if you can't get it to work using one controller, try using two, even if one of them is "not playable". As long as Windows detects it as a game controller, you should be set.

 

thank you for the info but that is werid the unplugging should work no matter the controller did you unplug right when it starts loading and then put in right back in ?

 

Supposedly....but maybe the G50 is too fast and it removes the controller from the device list before it can be discovered again . I plan to try again to make it work, maybe plugging it into another USB port, or trying it on battery saver mode instead of high performance. At least I got it working last night, or I would have looked pretty silly, but we got to play through all the L4D campaigns - my buddy really liked the game (he gets stressed easily, e.g. tank or horde situations).

 

Tried again, but no luck. Sigh.