If you’ve ever found yourself craving a couch co-op survival session with a friend, you’ve almost certainly typed “is ark 2 player split screen ps4” into a search bar at some point. Ark: Survival Evolved’s massive, dinosaur-filled world is infinitely more fun when you’re not tackling hordes of raptors or building your first base alone, and local split screen play is one of the most requested features for PS4 players. A lot of newer survival games cut local co-op to focus on online play, so it’s normal to be unsure if the feature is actually supported on older consoles like the PS4. I’ve been playing Ark on PS4 for over 6 years, and I’ve tested split screen across every model of the console, so I’m breaking down everything you need to know to play with a friend on the same TV.
Is Ark 2 Player Split Screen on PS4 Officially Supported?
The short answer is yes, 2 player split screen is fully supported for Ark: Survival Evolved on all PS4 models, including the base PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro. The feature was added in a 2017 game patch, and it’s been included in all subsequent updates, so you don’t need to buy any special DLC or edition of the game to access it. You also don’t need an active PS Plus subscription to use split screen, since all play happens locally on your console, no online connection required. That means it’s a great option if you don’t pay for online services, or if your internet is down and you still want to play with someone in your home. But there are a few limitations to keep in mind: split screen only works for local single player saves or non-dedicated private servers, you can’t use it on official public online servers. The feature is also limited to 2 players only, even if you have extra controllers connected to your console.
How to Set Up Ark 2 Player Split Screen on Your PS4
Setting up split screen takes less than a minute once you know the steps, and you don’t need any extra hardware beyond a second paired DualShock 4 controller. Follow these simple steps to get started:
- Launch Ark: Survival Evolved on your PS4 and make sure your second DualShock 4 controller is paired and turned on
- Load your existing single-player save or start a new local game (split screen does not work on official public servers, only local or non-dedicated private servers)
- Once you spawn in-game, press the Options button on the second controller to bring up the join prompt
- Select a profile for the second player, and wait 10 to 15 seconds for the screen to split horizontally for co-op play
By default, the screen splits horizontally, with the host player on the top half and the second player on the bottom. If you have a wide 4K TV, you can switch to vertical split in the in-game settings menu under the “Interface” tab, which gives both players a wider field of view. It’s important to note that the second player’s character is tied directly to the host’s save file, so they can’t transfer their progress to their own single player game or another console later. If you want to keep playing with the same friend later, you’ll always need to load the same host save file to access that character.
Common Issues With PS4 Ark Split Screen and How to Fix Them
While split screen works well for the most part, there are a few common bugs and performance issues that pop up, especially on base PS4 models. The most frequent complaint I hear from players is that the screen won’t split when the second player presses the Options button. If that happens, first make sure the second controller is signed into a permanent PSN profile, even if it’s an offline profile. Guest profiles often don’t work with split screen on PS4, so switching to a regular profile almost always fixes the issue. Frame rate drops are another common problem, especially when you’re exploring dense biomes like the Redwood Forest or Swamp, or when there are a lot of dinosaurs and structures on screen at once. To fix this, go into your graphics settings and turn down view distance, shadow quality, and post-processing effects. Even dropping these settings a few notches will make the game run much smoother without making it look noticeably worse. If the second player can’t interact with structures, dinosaurs, or resources, simply restart the game and reload the save. This bug usually pops up if you’ve been playing for more than 3 hours straight, so taking a quick break to restart will fix it almost every time.
Best Tips for Enjoying Ark Split Screen Co-Op on PS4
Split screen play is a lot different from playing alone, so a few small tips will make your experience way more fun and less frustrating. First, assign clear roles to each player from the start. For example, one player can focus on gathering wood, thatch, and fiber, while the other builds the base and tames small, useful dinosaurs like dodos or parasaur. Assigning roles cuts down on redundant work and helps you progress twice as fast as you would playing alone, so you can get to the more exciting parts of the game like taming T-Rexes or exploring caves much sooner. Second, always back up your host save file to the cloud or a USB drive at least once a week. If your host save gets corrupted, you’ll lose all progress for both players, so backing up is an easy way to avoid losing dozens of hours of work. If you want to tame higher level dinosaurs in split screen, work together to tranq the animal and defend it from predators while it’s unconscious. Trying to tame a high level dino alone is already hard, and having a second person to watch your back makes the process way less stressful. You also don’t need to stick to just split screen if you have other friends who want to join: you can host a non-dedicated private server and have up to 4 more players join remotely online, while you and your local friend play on split screen. Just keep in mind that remote players will need their own copy of the game and a PS Plus subscription to join. If you’re playing with a younger friend or family member, you can also turn off PVP and friendly fire in the server settings to avoid accidental fights or lost progress.
At the end of the day, if you were wondering is ark 2 player split screen ps4 supported, you don’t have to keep searching: the feature works great, has minimal hoops to jump through, and is one of the best couch co-op experiences you can get on the PS4. It has a few small performance quirks on older base models, but the easy fixes and fun of playing with a friend in the same room far outweigh any minor issues. I’ve lost count of how many late nights I’ve spent playing split screen Ark with friends, and it’s still my go-to game for casual gaming nights when people come over. Give it a try, just make sure you both agree on what to do if a T-Rex shows up out of nowhere and attacks your base.