Does Totally Accurate Battle Simulator Have Split Screen?

The short answer is: No, TABS does not currently support split-screen multiplayer. However, you can play local co-op by having one player use mouse & keyboard controls and the other use a gamepad controller connected to the same PC.

As an avid TABS gamer myself, I‘ve done extensive testing to figure out how to play couch co-op on one machine. Let me walk you through everything I‘ve learned.

Setting Up Local Multiplayer on TABS

Getting set up for local multiplayer is easy enough, but not without some major limitations right now.

Here are step-by-step instructions with images to help explain:

1. Launch TABS and select Multiplayer from the main menu, then choose Local:

2. The game will switch into a special mode allowing two input methods – mouse & keyboard controls Player 1, gamepad controls Player 2:

3. Player 1 just needs to use the keyboard normally to start. Player 2 must press any button on their connected gamepad controller to join the battle!

This setup works flawlessly on one machine to have two people fighting it out. However, there‘s a catch…

Major Local Multiplayer Caveat

Local co-op only functions properly in TABS when the battle is paused!

Having two players actively fighting at the same time results in glitchy behavior like units freezing in place. It seems the developers have some optimizing left to do before supporting seamless couch play.

So while me and my girlfriend have fun taking turns controlling ragdoll warriors and tactically outmaneuvering each other, we have to keep pausing during every action. It kills the pacing and makes unit placement/timing way less exciting.

Hopefully TABS gets updated soon with smoother local multiplayer that doesn‘t require constant interruptions!

Any Chance of Actual Split-Screen Coming?

Split-screen would take the TABS local co-op experience to the next level. Based on official communications from developer Landfall Games, I speculate true split-screen support has potential down the road.

Back in August 2021, Landfall posted this response on Steam:

We want to improve the multiplayer so all platforms have the same experience […] More players, better networking, and other long requested things.

Emphasizing "all" hints that console releases like the upcoming Nintendo Switch port would gain expanded multiplayer features currently only on PC.

Landfall also talked about a major update focusing on the community‘s most-requested additions to TABS:

What we want is to make ONE big update that nails all the things players have asked for over and over again.

Well, official TABS forums and Reddit is full of gamers begging for split-screen! So I‘m betting they‘ll deliver it alongside the bigger update as part of achieving multiplayer parity across devices.

My prediction:

• TABS "Unity 2019 Upgrade" update launches early-mid 2023
• Brings full split-screen co-op support
• Smooths out local multiplayer on all platforms

We‘ll have to wait and see! I‘ll be covering any TABS news closely here as it develops.

What Age Rating is TABS Appropriate For?

Knowing guidance on age recommendations for games allows figuring out what level of cartoon violence is acceptable to parents and guardians when choosing titles for kids.

TABS Official Age Rating

Totally Accurate Battle Simulator is rated T for Teen by the ESRB due largely to slapstick violence between ragdoll combatants using medieval weaponry and firearms:

ESRB Rating Definition:

Content is generally suitable for ages 13 and up. May contain violence, suggestive themes, crude humor, minimal blood, simulated gambling and/or infrequent use of strong language.

So according to its official designation, TABS contains comic mischief and combat without intense violence or mature content for adults only.

Age Recommendations

Based on feedback from Steam discussions and Reddit communities, I would agree with the following age suggestions:

• Minimum: 10+ years old
• Ideal: 12+ years old

TABS has less violence than hardcore action titles geared towards mature gamers. But parents know their kids best! Use discretion based on temperament and sensitivity to goofy physics chaos.

How TABS Compares to Other Games

Here‘s a quick table to see how TABS stacks up to a few popular games in terms of themes and age ratings:

As you can see, Totally Accurate Battle Simulator sits comfortably between everyone-friendly games and super violent intense titles for adults. The balance of humor and physics makes it decidedly Teen.

Now let‘s compare some player experiences with a few popular games when considering age appropriateness…

Is Grounded Too Scary for 10 Year Olds?

• Survival game with giant bugs
• Creepy sounds/music, jump scares
• Official ESRB: E10+ (Generally alright for 10+)

Is Sally Face Too Disturbing for 13 Year Olds?

• Investigating dark mysteries
• Depictions of blood, murder, demons
• Official PEGI: 16+ (European rating – best 13+)

See the difference? TABS is closer to the silly end rather than covering complex mature themes.

Game Availability Summary

Here‘s a comparison table covering which platforms have access to TABS:

And there you have it – everything you need to know about whether Totally Accurate Battle Simulator has split screen multiplayer!

I‘ll continue providing updates if any major news drops from the Landfall studio. Until future improvements, enjoy goofing around with physics battles through creative local co-op techniques!

Let me know in the comments if you have any other TABS topics you want me to cover. This is Ryan signing off for now – ciao! :battle_axe: