Forum: gaming.stackexchange.com
Tags: <portal-2>
Title: Can we play Portal 2 co-op on one PC or Mac?
Question: Is there a way to play Portal 2 co-op on a single PC or Mac?  If so, do we need two keyboards, or two mice, or what?  Do we need to buy two copies of the game?  Note: The  wireless  XBox 360 controller does not work standalone out of the box on either an iMac or Windows 7 PC.  It needs a receiver as well.  I thought it would be Bluetooth, but no.

Answers:
sents: text: Split-screen PC/Mac play is not supported by Valve via obvious in-game menus.
text: The only way in which you can play co-op Portal 2 with a single Portal 2 purchase in a way that is obviously supported by the game manufacturer is by purchasing the PS3 copy:
text: Only PlayStation®3 split-screen co-op can be played using a single copy of the game.
text: When you purchase a new copy of Portal 2 for PlayStation®3, you will receive an in-box code which provides your linked Steam account with access to your copy of Portal 2 on your computer.
text: The game is still owned by only a single Steam account--another copy will be required to play online co-op with a friend.
text: ( source )
text: It has been noted in the other answers that the act of single-system split-screen is possible.
text: It required modifying configuration files and a workaround to force the game to move a controller to the second player slot.
text: Valve has neither stated that this method is supported or banned.
text: Steam Support indicates it's not supported, but also openly admits it's an option that currently exists.
text: Hello Shaun, Thank you for contacting Steam Support.
text: Split-screen mode is available in the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions of this game only.
text: However, split-screen options may be available using the methods found here:
text: http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1847904 Note: These methods are not supported, as split-screen is not an intended feature of the PC/Mac version of Portal 2.If you have any further questions, please let us know - we will be happy to assist you.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/3107/Shaun
score: 16
sents: text: According to this article and this steam forum thread , it's possible to set up a split-screen co-op in Portal 2 on the PC and many have gotten it to work.
text: In fact, it can be done by setting up (or emulating)
text: an XBox 360 USB controller using Joystick ID #2.
text: The original Steam forum post seems to work for many people, but not in all circumstances.
text: The post is managed by one person and there seem to be conflicting statements on it.
text: There are a lot of off-shoot threads in the wild with many different solutions, but none that seem to work in all cases (at least not that we can prove by voting).
text: It seems that the only sure bet solution is to buy and plug in an xbox 360 game USB controller and use JoyIDs to set the controller to ID #2.
text: Note that while this is 'unsupported' by Valve, it's IN NO WAY discouraged or illegal to do so.
text: In fact, Valve has traditionally been extremely supportive of game modding and console tweaking.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/6424/Matias Nino
score: 7
sents: text: This feature is now available using a method significantly easier than the answers from 2011 suggest.
text: You will need at least once XInput (XBox 360 compatible) controller.
text: Two controllers (officially supported) On the main menu, select Play cooperative game Have the second player press X on their controller Woosh!
text: Keyboard / Mouse and a controller On the main menu, click Options Click Keyboard/Mouse Toggle Allow developer console to Enabled Press
text: the ~ key (usually near the esc key) to open the console Type joy_remap_player_for_controller1 2
text: The controller is now player 2.
text: Press
text: the ~ key to close the console Follow the previous instructions for two controllers.
text: If you later want to use a controller in the single player game, follow the instructions again, but type joy_remap_player_for_controller1 1 instead.
text: Note that there is a caveat; all levels will be unlocked from the start .
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/217/JamesGecko
score: 4
sents: text: On OSX and Linux, joy_remap_player_for_controller1 1 is not a valid command.
text: There is, however a workaround.
text: In short, you exploit a bug in the command that allows you to test coop maps with a single player ( in_forceuser ).
text: Here's how: Make sure your controller is connected (important on OSX at least.
text: Plugging the controller after the game is launched does not work for me) Launch Portal 2 Open the console Start a coop map: ss_map mp_coop_start Run the following two commands: sv_cheats 1 then in_forceuser 1 Your gamepad will continue to control player 1, while the keyboard/mouse will now control player 2!
text: Thanks to Sharft 6 for figuring this out on Ubuntu.
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/87993/johnboiles
score: 4
sents: text: I don't think you can use a second keyboard and mouse, but a gamepad should do it.
text: You need only one copy of the game and you should be familiar with the ingame console and config files.
text: Take a look at this thread on the steam forums:
text: How-to:
text: Split Screen Coop
answer_details: author: gaming.stackexchange.com/users/7660/red
score: 3

Summary of the answers:
You can purchase the PS3 copy with the split-screen co-op. You can also plug in an xbox 360 game USB controller.
Buying the PS3 copy of Portal 2 or using an Xbox 360 USB controller are the prefered choices.