Is Riders Republic Split-Screen? An In-Depth Look

As a passionate gamer and content creator, one of the top questions I get asked about Ubisoft‘s massively multiplayer outdoor sports game Riders Republic is:

Does Riders Republic have split-screen multiplayer?

The short answer is:

No, Riders Republic does not currently support any form of split-screen local co-op or multiplayer.

This was confirmed directly by Ubisoft support as well as gaming journalists previewing the game.

While disappointing for fans of local couch co-op, Riders Republic emphasizes online multiplayer interactions:

• Mass races with up to 50 players simultaneously
• 6v6 competitive arena battles
• Co-op modes and social hangouts

So why did Ubisoft neglect local split-screen? And could it still be added in a future update? Let‘s take a closer look…

The Challenges of Delivering Split-Screen Support

As both a gamer and aspiring game developer myself, I can appreciate the technical challenges involved in supporting robust split-screen multiplayer.

Some factors that make split-screen difficult from a development perspective:

• **Performance Impacts** – Rendering separate viewports places extra strain on hardware like the CPU and GPU. This often results in lower frame rates or resolution compared to single player.
• **UI/UX Considerations** – The HUD, menus, and other elements need to be tweaked to remain usable in split formats. Otherwise, things can appear cramped or cluttered.
• **Playtesting Logistics** – Testing all combinations of multiplayer modes is exponentially more complex compared to solo experiences.

Based on comments from Riders Republic‘s Creative Director, Igor Manceau, it seems the team focused development efforts on areas like:

• Delivering a smooth performance benchmark of 60 FPS
• Fine-tuning controls around tricks/stunts
• Crafting detailed outdoor environments

So while not outright confirmation, split-screen may have been lower priority or ultimately cut due to some of the aforementioned complications.

State of Split-Screen in Modern Gaming

Gaming has increasingly trended towards online connectivity and services in the last decade. Ubisoft itself has shifted focus away from local couch co-op in recent major releases:

And Ubisoft is not alone. Several notable examples of AAA franchises dropping split-screen support:

However, demand still exists for shared-screen gaming, especially in certain genres. Some recent games keeping local co-op alive:

• It Takes Two
• Halo Infinite
• Tiny Tina‘s Wonderlands
• Cuphead: The Delicious Last Course
• Overcooked! All You Can Eat

So while the industry may be trending away from split-screen, fans are vocal about wanting it included whenever possible!

What About Riders Republic DLC or Future Titles?

As mentioned, Riders Republic revolves around its big online multiplayer modes:

• Seeing dozens of other players wiping out during mass start races
• Coordinating tricks and stunts in 6v6 competitions
• Hanging with friends in public social hubs

This current vision doesn‘t mesh as naturally with local couch play. However, Ubisoft could potentially test demand by evaluating fan feedback.

If players continue to request split-screen, I could envision it coming later as DLC. Or perhaps being built into a sequel like "Riders Republic 2" from day one.

In Summary

While Riders Republic skips out on split-screen co-op support for now, its focus on massive online sports competition still provides fantastic multiplayer moments.

And who knows…maybe someday you‘ll be able to challenge your best friend to a local mass race down the snowy slopes!

For fellow gamers craving shared-screen play, plenty of other great options exist in the meantime. But as always, keep providing that feedback to developers!

Let me know what you think of Riders Republic and the state of split-screen gaming below!