How do you play 2 player on Need for Speed Xbox One?
Before we dig into the nitty gritty, let‘s kick things off with a clear answer. To enable 2 player splitscreen racing in the latest Need for Speed games on Xbox One, you need to sign in a second controller under a different gamertag and press the View button to join.
Now that‘s out of the way, strap in for the inside scoop on doubling down on driving mayhem with a friend right next to you!
Local Multiplayer Modes Over Time
With over 20 titles spanning 25 years, Need for Speed boasts one of the longest and most popular franchises in gaming history. Over 150 million copies have been sold to date!
In the earlier days, many entries prominently featured local splitscreen multiplayer as a major option. Based on my experience across the series, I have fond memories of pulling all-nighters battling it out with buddies.
However, the past decade has seen an industry-wide shift away from same-couch gameplay towards online competitiveness and coop. This graphic showcases how Need for Speed has followed suit:
| Game | Year | Splitscreen | Max Local Players |
|---|---|---|---|
| Need for Speed III: Hot Pursuit | 1998 | Yes | 2 |
| Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2005) | 2005 | No | 1 |
| Need for Speed: Most Wanted (2012) | 2012 | Yes | 2 |
| Need for Speed Rivals | 2013 | No | 1 |
| Need for Speed Heat | 2019 | No | 1 |
As you can see, support has become more scattered in the past decade. However, long-time fans may have the most luck revisiting popular last-gen installments through backwards compatibility.
Differences: Splitscreen vs. Online Play
Jumping into an online race with faraway friends provides a distinct experience from battling someone on the same sectional. Let‘s explore some key contrasts:
Visual Fidelity & Performance: Rendering multiple viewpoints demands extra resources, resulting in graphical downgrades in splitscreen. Lower resolution, frame rates, and visual effects take a hit. Network play avoids this compromise.
Competitive Balance: Both modes allow customizing difficulty. But human players together can cooperate or grief more creatively. Online‘s matchmaking system provides fairer competition with strangers.
Communication & Camaraderie: Proximity chat and sharing reactions in person builds stronger social bonds. However, online extends your social circle vastly wider across regions/platforms.
Overall while optimization leans towards online interconnectivity, I still believe beginning racers benefit tremendously from the coaches right next to them on the couch! Veterans can better guide new drivers hands-on.
Optimizing Local Multiplayer
If you have decided to race alongside a partner, here are my top suggestions for smoothing out the experience:
- Adjust Handling Settings: Have each player fine-tune control schemes and assists to their individual preference.
- Set Ground Rules: Agree whether to race seriously or just goof around before starting. Communicate clearly.
- Take Turns Choosing Events: Alternate selecting tracks and modes for fairness.
- Vary Vehicle Tiers: Try both low and top class rides. Lower PI cars tend to handle splitscreen better.
- Revisit Classic Circuits: Iconic legacy tracks like Coastal Parkway or Downtown Rockport test veteran skills.
- Talk Trash: Friendly banter builds the hype! Just don‘t be a sore loser.
- Stay Hydrated: During lengthy sessions, drink water and take eye breaks to avoid fatigue.
While undoubtedly a compromise, these tips help maximize the nostalgic magic of side-by-side speed demons behind the wheel.
The Road Ahead
With EA remaining committed to serving a diverse player base, where does Need for Speed‘s couch coop future lie?
Patient fans may eventually see the tide turn back towards offline social play. As internet latency and accessibility improves globally, developers can redirect freed resources towards visual polish for features like splitscreen once again.
Industry analysts predict steady advances in GPU processing efficiency will enable better compromises down the road. Additionally, the red-hot "shared screen" genre‘s breakout success epitomized by It Takes Two has renewed interest in collaborating in close quarters.
For now, retro gamers can revisit earlier series entries. Meanwhile, the community awaits patiently whether Unbound or future installments may surprise us with the return of a beloved favorite feature. One can always dream!
So fire up your ride with an old or new partner in crime. Need for Speed endures as one of racing‘s greatest platforms for both virtual and physical camaraderie. See you across the finish line!
