Can Two People Play on the Same PS5?
Yes, absolutely! The PlayStation 5 is designed to support local multiplayer, allowing two or more people to play together on the same console. This functionality extends beyond just turn-based games, offering a variety of experiences ranging from split-screen adventures to cooperative gameplay. The PS5 is a robust system built for shared gaming fun. Whether you’re looking for a casual couch co-op experience or an intense competitive session, the PS5 offers various ways for multiple people to engage in gameplay together on a single console. The system’s support for multiple controllers and user accounts makes it seamless to set up and enjoy gaming sessions with friends and family in the same room.
Local Multiplayer on PS5
The primary way two people can play together on a single PS5 is through local multiplayer. This often involves split-screen modes in games that are designed to divide the screen into two or more sections, each displaying a unique viewpoint for each player. Many games support this feature, offering both competitive and cooperative gameplay scenarios.
Controller Setup
To play locally with two people, you will need two PlayStation 5 DualSense controllers. The PS5 supports up to four controllers at a time, so you can even expand to more players for compatible games. The first controller is usually paired with the console upon initial setup. For the second controller:
- Press the PS button on the controller.
- Select a user or create a new one if needed.
- The controller should now be paired and ready to use. If not, you may need to pair it using the Bluetooth settings.
User Accounts
Each player can log in using their own PlayStation Network (PSN) account or a guest account. This allows each player to track their individual progress and settings. To add a new user:
- Go to the home screen.
- Select your profile avatar.
- Choose “Switch User” then “Add User“.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create or log in to a user account.
Game Availability
It’s important to know that not every game supports local multiplayer. Check the game’s description on the PlayStation Store or the back of the game case to confirm if split-screen or local cooperative gameplay is supported. Some popular examples of games that typically offer local multiplayer include titles in the sports, fighting, and action genres.
Share Play Feature
The PS5 also provides a unique way to play with someone remotely – through the Share Play feature. While this doesn’t involve two people playing simultaneously on one console physically, it allows one player to share their screen with another person online. This allows the other player to:
- Watch the gameplay being streamed live.
- Take over the controller to play as if they were sitting right next to you.
- Play a local multiplayer game together, even if that game doesn’t have an online multiplayer mode.
Setting Up Share Play
- Press the Share button on your controller.
- Select Go to Party for Share Play.
- Choose Give Controller to Visitor.
- Select either Allow Visitor to Play as You or Play a Game Together.
Important Considerations for Share Play
- Both the host and the remote player need to have an active PlayStation Plus subscription for Share Play to work.
- Share Play sessions are limited to one hour at a time, though you can restart the session if you wish to continue playing.
- Share Play only works with two people at a time.
Console Sharing and Game Sharing
Another aspect that allows users to enjoy more games on a PS5 is console sharing. This feature enables players to share access to their digital game library with another person’s PS5. To enable console sharing:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Select “Users and Accounts.”
- Choose “Other“
- Enable “Console Sharing and Offline Play” on both PS5s that want to share games.
By using this, both consoles will have access to each others’ game libraries. This means that while not simultaneously playing the same game on one console, two people are able to access a wider range of games on their own consoles through a game share.
Limits of Game Sharing
- Game sharing is limited to two people at a time.
- You must log in to the other console with your own account.
- You can only activate one console as your primary console at one time for sharing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that further explore playing with multiple people on the PlayStation 5:
1. How many controllers can I connect to my PS5?
You can connect up to four controllers to a single PlayStation 5 console, which allows for fun local multiplayer experiences.
2. Can two users play online simultaneously on the same PS5?
No, two users cannot play online simultaneously on the same PS5 console. Each user will need their own console for online multiplayer gameplay. You can use Share Play, which allows one player to hand over control of the game to another remote player but it does not allow simultaneous play from two users on the same system.
3. Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription to play local multiplayer games?
No, a PlayStation Plus subscription is not required for local multiplayer games. It is only needed for online multiplayer features and Share Play.
4. Can I use PS4 controllers on the PS5 for local multiplayer?
You can use your PS4 controllers for supported PS4 games on the PS5 but not for PS5 games. For PS5 games, you’ll need to use the PS5 DualSense controllers.
5. How do I add a guest account for local multiplayer?
When you are choosing a user account to log in, you can select “Play as Guest”. The guest account will not save any progress so it’s ideal for casual gamers.
6. How do I share my controller with a friend on PS5?
You can use the Share Play feature to share your controller with a remote player over the internet. See the “Share Play Feature” section for how to do it.
7. Can I play split-screen in Fortnite on PS5?
Yes, Fortnite supports split-screen mode on PS5, allowing two players to play together on the same TV.
8. Can two people play different games simultaneously on the same PS5?
No, two players cannot play different games at the same time on a single PS5 console. Only one game can be played at any given time on a single console.
9. How many times can I use Share Play?
Share Play sessions are limited to one hour at a time, though you can restart the session when it ends to continue.
10. Is there a way to play the same game with someone remotely, if I have a single copy of the game?
Yes, you can use the Share Play feature. This lets someone take control of your game remotely, or play a co-op mode even if the game does not have online multiplayer capabilities.
11. Do both players need PlayStation Plus to use Share Play?
Yes, both the host and the remote player must have an active PlayStation Plus subscription to use Share Play.
12. How do I connect another controller to my PS5?
To connect a second controller, you need to pair it with the console via Bluetooth. Hold the PS button and Create button simultaneously on the controller you want to pair. Then select it from the list of discovered Bluetooth devices on your PS5 system.
13. Can I share games with more than one friend on PS5?
Game sharing is limited to two people at a time. You cannot gameshare with multiple accounts simultaneously, but you can change who you game share with.
14. Does the PS5 console come with two controllers?
No, the PS5 console comes with one DualSense wireless controller. Additional controllers need to be purchased separately.
15. Can I use console sharing with someone I don’t know?
It is not recommended to use console sharing with someone you do not trust, as this gives them access to your digital game library.
The PS5 offers a wide array of options for playing with others, both locally and remotely. By utilizing its local multiplayer, Share Play, and console sharing features, you can easily enjoy games with friends and family.