UPDATED 31/03/2017
Hey guys! I didn't see one of these, so I thought I'd make one as there's a few duplicate threads out there.
This should help anyone who has trouble with some of the most common problems. If you've got a problem and found a fix, let me know (also tell the devs about it!) and I'll add it to the list.
This is not a developer topic and I am not a developer. Any advice from the developers is considered more accurate. If any of these fixes are out-of-date or should be removed for any other reason, let me know. If there is an official topic created, or this thread should be taken down for any other reason, please do so!
HAVING TROUBLE?? SEARCH FOR THE GAME YOU'RE HAVING TROUBLE WITH USING CTRL+F IN THIS THREAD
NOTE that NucleusCoop is a tool in development. Expect bugs, glitches and weird things to happen. Help other people not have these things happen by checking for a solution here and submitting a [BUG REPORT] to the reddit as a new topic, if no-one else has brought it up.
A good [BUG REPORT] looks like this:
Thread name: [BUG REPORT] Simon falling off horse
BUG: Simon falls off his horse.
EXPECTED: Simon should not fall off his horse, right?
CAUSE: I'm pretty sure it's because I have my computer plugged into an auto-blow.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
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Open up Simon Stays On His Horse: The Interactive Video Game of the Movie.
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Choose Co-Op and join with another player.
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Simon falls off his horse!!!
TYPE: Severe! The gameplay can't continue if Simon isn't on his horse! (Alternatively, Minor if the gameplay can continue but it's just annoying)
NUCLEUS OPTIONS: I played with 2 players using the vertical splitscreen (left and right) on one tv and 2 PS3 controllers. I'm using the latest version
SYSTEM: I'm on Windows 3.1 with 4MB of RAM, a 2KHz CPU and no graphics card, playing on a projector. She's a monster.
I'd really like this to get fixed please thanks magic man! -Beanboy"
Remember to try find out how to make a bug happen. It's that little extra info that goes a long way to solving the problem for you - if it happens every day at 11pm sharp, then include that in the 'steps to reproduce'! No matter how silly it may seem, it sometimes makes a huge difference.
If there's an error, make sure you include the gist of what it says and the number if it gives one (like 404, 0x0001c, etc)!
Reddit makes you use two lines every time you want to have one empty line. Check out this page for more info on formatting so it's real pretty and easy to read if you care about that
Before you suggest new games get added, see if it's been added by a community member in this thread or elsewhere in the reddit. If you're smart, try adding it yourself using the guide in this thread.
Useful Links
Creator's Patreon - support the tool's development. Money paid goes directly to the creator of the program, so they can work more on it!
GitHub - where the tool is made
Steam Community - the official Steam group
Reddit - You Are Here!
Co-Optimus - Site for all things Co-Op
PCGamingWiki - Great for bug workarounds and tweaking settings
Current Version: ALPHA 7
Currently Officially Supported Games
Kinda-Sorta Officially Working Games
For Community-Supported games, see the bottom of this post.
(Note that all these games may have some bugs or limitations depending on the game, release and setup you have)
Lingo
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Resolution = The size of what your computer is displaying on the screen, in pixels (horizontal pixels x vertical pixels). This can be found in Settings->Display on most devices. Common resolutions are 4096x2160, 1920x1080, 1440x960, 1280x720, 1024x768, 800x600 and 640x480. Higher is better-looking. NucleusCoop forcibly changes your game resolution by getting your normal resolution and dividing it up and moving stuff around so it all fits on the screen the way you want it.
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Executable = .exe file. This is what most programs are on Windows.
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Interface/UI = Menus.
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HUD = Health, Ammo, radars and stuff on the screen.
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Scale = Changing the positions of stuff on the screen to fit the resolution you're using.
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LAN = Local Area Network, faked by NucleusCoop by making the game think there are two computers playing together, connected by a cable.
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Horizontal Splitscreen = Screen split to Top and Bottom views.
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Vertical Splitscreen = Screen split to Left and Right views.
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Quad Splitscreen = Screen split to three/four corner views.
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Symlink = basically a shortcut to a file.
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Dev = Developer, the people who are making this program. Just one right now!
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Ultra-wide = resolutions that are much longer than they are tall. Horizontal splitscreen will be 'ultra-wide' in most cases.
(From the GitHub)
Nucleus Co-Op
Nucles Co-Op is a tool for Windows that allows split-screen play on many games that do not initially support it. Support its development by helping on my Patreon !
Subscribe to our subreddit
Currently Supported Games:
Working but not with all features:
- Borderlands ALPHA5: Everything works if you're using gamepads, but not with a keyboard + mouse player
So close but not there yet:
- Saints Row 3 Working: All instances open correctly using SmartSteamEmu, can control all instances freely.
Issue: Can't find the game on LAN. If from the Shift + Tab menu, the game says the session is no longer available.
How does it work?
Starting from Alpha 4, all games use a generic handler that can handle pretty much all situations. To add a new game, you can just create a new *.js file on the games folder, and describe what your game needs to run. Now, what the GenericHandler actually does?
When the user hits play:
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If the game needs modifications to the save files, we backup them so when the splitscreen session ends we can return all the configurations back to normal.
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The app symlinks the entire game folder to the Data folder, so we can launch each instance of the game with custom DLLs. Runs the JavaScript engine, so any custom code that needs to be executed by player ID runs
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We copy a custom xinput dll specific for each gamepad: Each xinput passthroughs a specific gamepad input to the 1st gamepad (xinput1 just passtroughs, xinput2 passes to 2, i.e). If needed, we extract SmartSteamEmu and start the game using it.
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Now we keep track of the processes, looking for the launcher and the actual game window, so we can position it correctly on the screen.
Next on the List:
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Left 4 Dead 1
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Left 4 Dead 2
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Portal 2
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Call of Duty: Black Ops
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
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Saints Row 3
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Saints Row 4
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Team Fortress 2 (support for 64 players on 1 machine FTW)
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Unlimited Power mode (multiple keyboards + mouses + gamepads)
Games I want to add but I don't own:
A ton of games will be supported thank for the godsend tool called SmartSteamEmu, developed by syahmixp, grabbed from Link
Awesome application that emulates Steam and even enables LAN connections, so we can play everything easily!
From the Community
How do I download it?
GitHub can be confusing and sometimes hard to install stuff properly. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Get it from the GitHub. Don't trust anywhere else unless the admin lucasassislar posts a new link.
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Open the compressed folder you just downloaded.
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Move everything in this to anywhere you're okay with keeping the program. I keep mine on 'D:\Games\SplitTool' .
How do I add a game?
If the game is already added in the version you're using, then it's no problem. To add your own game it's much more complex.
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'Open NucleusCoop.exe' .
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Click 'Auto-Search' and select the drive you want to add stuff from. Most games will be installed on 'C:\', but you might have installed stuff on any of the others. If you don't know, do all of them, one at a time. Click 'Search' when you've got a drive selected. You can close the window when it says 'Finished Searching!'. If your games aren't listed now, proceed to Step 3.
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Click 'Search Game' and find where your game's executable is located. If you're not sure, try Googling 'where is (game) installed' and just searching for .exe in the place they tell you to look. For Steam games this is usually something along the lines of 'C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\common(game)'. Some games will have their .exe stashed away in a folder called 'bin' or 'binaries' inside that place. Once you choose the right .exe, add the game. If the game isn't accepted as anything, you either have a strange version of the .exe or it's not added to NucleusCoop yet. If you're a smart cookie and don't mind a lot of trial and error, proceed to step 4.
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I'm assuming you've got a fair bit of computer knowledge here so I'm going to use straight, unsimplified terms. If you can't follow along then it's best to just wait for someone else to do it! Here we go...
In the SplitTool installation directory, go to the Games folder. These .js files are what tell NucleusCoop are games that work and what to do with them. Create a copy of one of these and name it what game you want to add.
These files use Javascript formatting. If you're rusty on the rules, it's better to Google them before diving in.
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Everything under Game.Options controls what appears in the pre-game setup and what variables they adjust.
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The 'Game.KillMutex' lines are about something called 'Mutex', which basically tells the game not to allow multiple instances of its program. These mutexes are removed by NucleusCoop in games with this form of 'security' (read:annoyance). String.
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Game.SymLinkIgnore just ignores the folders specified found in the simulated game directory made by NucleusCoop in the data subdirectory. Needed for some games. String.
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Game.Debug enables debug mode for the game. Often necessary. TextBoolean.
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GameSymlinkExe decides whether or not to create a symlink of the exe rather than just read from it directly. Needed for some games. TextBoolean.
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Game.SupportsKeyboard decides whether to enable keyboard input in the game, according to NucleusCoop. Useful for some games. TextBoolean.
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Game.ExecutableName allows only executables with this name to be added as this game. Necessary for any game. String.
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Game.SteamID forces the game to use this SteamID. Necessary for any game. Integer.
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Game.GUID forces the game to use this GUID, sometimes different to the SteamID. Necessary for any game. Integer.
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Game.GameName lists the game as this in the NucleusCoop launcher. Necessary for any game. String.
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Game.ExecutableContext forces the game to be chosen as this game only if the following files are located in the same directory. This is useful for games like Half Life 2 mods, which use the same .exe as Half Life 2 itself (hl2.exe). Necessary for some games. String array.
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Game.HandlerInterval = ??? If you know, please tell me!
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Game.MaxPlayers chooses the maximum allowed number of players able to be chosen in the NucleusCoop launcher. Often best left at 4. Max 4. Necessary for any game. Integer.
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Game.MaxPlayersOneMonitor chooses the maximum allowed number of players able to be allocated to one monitor. Often best left at 4. Max 4. Necessary for any game. Integer.
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Game.BinariesFolder chooses the location of the game's binaries folder relative to the .exe. Necessary for any game. String.
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Game.NeedsSteamEmulation decides whether or not to force a fake Steam wrapper to run with the game. Necessary for some games. TextBoolean.
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Game.LauncherTitle = ??? If you know, please tell me!
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Game.SaveType decides what kind of file the settings are saved as. This is the same as the game's settings files - for most games this is .ini or .cfg. Necessary for most games. String???
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Game.SupportsPositioning chooses whether or not to automatically move the windows around to fit in the right spaces. Not necessary for most games. TextBoolean.
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Game.HideTaskbar chooses whether or not to hide your computer's taskbar while the game is running. Not necessary for most games with new Always On-Top behaviour. TextBoolean.
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Game.CustomXinput chooses whether or not to make the game use NucleusCoop's own Xinput .dlls. Necessary for some games. TextBoolean.
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Game.StartArguments adds whatever you put into the field as starting parameters for the game's executable. For example, in most cases '-windowed' will force windowed mode. Parameters can be chained. Necessary for some games. String.
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Game.HookNeeded = ??? If you know, please tell me!
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Game.HookGameWindowName = ??? If you know, please tell me!
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Game.Play runs the following commands as a function. Most are self-explanatory. Add your own as necessary.
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Context.ModifySave edits the specified subheading's setting in the specified settings file to what you specify. This is related to the SaveType entry earlier. Remember - [Headings], SubHeadings=Entry.
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Context.SavePath defines the exact path to the settings file being edited. Necessary for most games. String.
Save your changes and add the .exe to NucleusCoop. If it doesn't work, trial and error. If you get something working don't keep it to yourself! Share the .js and I'll add it to the list.
A game tries to use both/all controllers for one screen!
This is a pretty common Nucleus/Game bug that seems to be fixed in ALPHA 7 onwards. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Make sure the game is no longer running before proceeding, and all controllers are turned on/plugged in right now. Start the game without pressing any buttons on any controllers.
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Press any button on the LAST player's controller when the game's ready for you to press buttons (like at the main menu).
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Then press a button on the SECOND-LAST player's controller, and so on. Remember that you should press the LAST controller first, going down - Player 4, Player 3, Player 2, Player 1. If anyone is using a keyboard, that player's order shouldn't matter.
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If the bug continues, double-check the steps above then post a [BUG REPORT] on the reddit if no-one else has brought it up.
A game isn't recognizing my controller/s!
This can happen for a number of reasons. Controllers that work best are XBOX 360, XBOX ONE and Logitech game controllers for minimum hassle. Follow the steps below to fix it.
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Make sure the game is no longer running before proceeding, and your controllers are plugged in/turned on right now. Check your controller's batteries. If it's wired or working fine, proceed to Step 2.
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Check that your controller works with any other game. You can also check if it's connected properly by going to Control Panel, searching for 'controller' and clicking 'Set up USB game controllers'. If your controller isn't there, try checking its connection to the PC by removing it and putting it back into the slot. If you have another free USB slot, try plugging it into that one. Note that old-style Joysticks and other retro controllers probably won't work well with most modern games and systems, unless you really know what you're doing. If it's still not working, check to see if the device needs any extra set up with a quick google search like 'PS4 controller pc'. If it seems to be connected fine, proceed to Step 3.
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Try another controller of the same type, or try the same controller with a different computer. If the controller works this was a problem with your setup. If unable or this doesn't work, proceed to Step 4.
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Restart NucleusCoop. Try the game again.
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Restart your computer. Try the game again.
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If no-one has mentioned it and the controller still doesn't work, submit a [BUG REPORT] to the reddit.
I want to stream/record all the screens!
This is easily done in most streaming programs, but is not possible with Windows 10 Game Streaming. You have three options.
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Option 1: Use a Region Capture to select the region for both games, or two region captures for both screens.
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Option 2: Use a Program Capture to select both of the executables.
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Option 3: Use a Screen Capture to get the whole screen. Make sure you have nothing personal behind the game in case of case. Or at least make it really entertaining to watch.
Borderlands/Borderlands 2/Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel doesn't save my progress!
This could be a game-bug or a NucleusCoop-bug to do with how Borderlands saves games. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Create a save in singleplayer, then use that character. If Borderlands still doesn't save, continue to Step 2.
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Go to Documents\My Games and right-click the game folder (Borderlands, Borderlands 2 or Borderlands The Pre-Sequel).
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Click Properties.
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Uncheck the 'Read-only' checkbox. If it is checked or square-filled, then click it until it's empty.
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Click 'Ok' on the window that appears to make everything in the folder able to be written (saved).
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If Borderlands still doesn't save, check the steps again and file a [BUG REPORT] if no-one else has brought it up.
Borderlands/Borderlands 2/Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel has cut-off menus!
This is either a bug to do with the way Borderlands displays its interface, a problem with your settings, or a bug with NucleusCoop. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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If in Borderlands 1, there is nothing that can be done. This is because Borderlands 1 was not designed to scale its interface up to ultra-wide resolutions. If in Borderlands 2/Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel, proceed to Step 2.
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Check your settings in-game. Your HUD Bounds and HUD Scaling can be adjusted to fit things a bit better in the game. Things will always be a bit weird in ultra-wide (fade in animations only playing in part of the screen etc.) but you can stop the UI from being chopped off in most cases this way. Note that it's normal for the HUD to be centred in the middle square region of the screen - this is just how Borderlands 2 and Pre-Sequel do it. If you're still having troubles and have double-checked all your settings, submit a [BUG REPORT] if no-one else as brought it up.
Borderlands/Borderlands 2/Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel shows keyboard controls but I'm playing with a controller!
This is because Borderlands doesn't change a hidden setting when a controller is connected. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Go to Documents\My Games\Borderlands\WillowGame\Config and open WillowGame.ini. If you're using Borderlands 2 or Pre-Sequel, it's the same path but with 'Borderlands 2' or 'Borderlands The Pre Sequel' instead of just 'Borderlands', but it's usually on Borderlands 1 that has this issue.
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FIND (CTRL+F) the line 'FakePlatform=-1'. If it doesn't exist, add it at the very bottom on a new line.
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Change this line to 'FakePlatform=1' if you are using an XBOX controller or 'FakePlatform=2' if you are using a PS3 controller. Note that the minus (-) has been taken out from before the number. To change this back, just make it -1 again. NOTE that some options will be renamed - Online will be 'XBOX LIVE' and 'LAN' will be 'SYSTEM LINK' etc. Loading screens are not affected by this change.
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If Borderlands still thinks you're on PC, then double-check the instructions again. If Borderlands crashes, then just undo the change or delete the file you edited and Borderlands will make it again for you when it starts up again.
Borderlands/Borderlands 2/Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel lags a LOT!
This is an easily-fixed game problem, usually. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Turn off Dynamic Shadows. Borderlands is infamous for being really poorly optimized and running bad on modern computers. Because Nucleus makes the game do shadows 2, 3 or even 4 times, there is a roughly 4x slowdown to normal. This means even running Borderlands at 120 FPS might lower it to 30 when using 4 different screens, theoretically. If in Borderlands 2 or Pre-Sequel proceed to Step 2, otherwise skip to Step 3.
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Turn down PHYSX. Just like shadows, but way more intense - PHYSX makes calculations for all the bits of rock and water flying about for each of the screens you're running. Honestly it just clutters up the screen anyway - just disable it to be safe!
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If you're still chugging try disabling other settings as well. As a last resort, lower your computer's resolution from your computer's Display Settings (NOT the game settings).
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If you're still lagging and no-one else has brought it up, post a [BUG REPORT] in the reddit.
I'm having a problem that isn't fixed here!!!
Okay, don't panic. Follow the instructions below to fix it.
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Do an idiot-check. Sometimes we forget our PCs are turned off at the wall - stuff like that happens! Give it a day or two and if it still happens and you can't figure out why, it might be a real bug.
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Do a quick Google search - something like 'screen randomly flashes pink super meatboy 2' or whatever your problem may be. If there are results that have nothing to do with NucleusCoop but fit the problem you're having, then this is something you're on your own for - sorry! If not, and this ONLY happens when running the game from NucleusCoop, proceed to Step 3.
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Check the reddit. Check back a few pages just in case. If no-one has anything like your problem, post a [BUG REPORT]. There's a guide at the top of the page to help you make it easy for the devs to fix.
Community Game Support
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Dragon Ball: Xenoverse: NOT YET. Starts with only one instance. Needs mutex to be killed before a second instance can start. Crashes without Steam emulation.
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Dragon Ball: Xenoverse 2: NOT YET. Starts with only one instance. Needs mutex to be killed before a second instance can start. Crashes without Steam emulation.
Installing Community Game Addons
Making Community-Support addons is hard - installing them is easy! Just drop the .js file you download (or save the .txt file as a .js) into your 'NucleusCoop\Games' folder and add the game you want to add as normal, only now like it's supported!
If you get any games working, please tell me! You can upload your configs to Pastebin and send me a link, and I'll add it and the author (you!) to the list. To users - please don't add any random .js file before it's confirmed working and safe, in case of viruses. As a rule - if you're not sure, don't run it!
And that's all. I hope this guide was useful to you! If you comment below, remember to add your own solutions, questions and corrections if you have any so I can add them to this guide! -TDG
Legend says that every time you UNHANDLED EXCEPTION, admin adds a new game!
