Current couch co-op status
The released feature set was online co-op. Developer updates said local cooperative play was being tested and polished, but it had not yet been shipped at the date of this check.
That makes “no local multiplayer” a temporary status question rather than proof that the feature will never exist. It also means buyers should not assume a future plan is already available.
| Question | Answer checked August 4, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Can two people play online? | Yes, within the official 2–4 player range |
| Can two people play on one device? | Not in the released feature set at this check |
| Is couch co-op being worked on? | The developer said it was in development |
| Is there a confirmed public release date? | No date is stated on this page |
Why online tags do not prove local play
Steam feature labels separate online and local multiplayer. Seeing “online co-op” confirms a networked group mode; it does not automatically mean multiple controllers can join one copy on one device.
Before buying for a living-room session, check the current Steam feature labels and the newest developer update. A dated third-party article can become stale as soon as the local-play patch ships.
What to prepare while the feature is unreleased
Use separate supported systems for the confirmed online mode. Keep the party within the official two-to-four range and prepare an external voice channel if the group needs one.
Do not buy extra controllers solely on the assumption that the local update has already arrived. Controller support and local-player joining are different claims; the presence of controller input does not prove released couch multiplayer.
How this page decides the status changed
This page should move from “in development” to “available” only after a current official update or store feature listing confirms the release. A trailer comment, community prediction, or menu screenshot without version context is not enough.
When local co-op is officially released, the page will need to verify:
- supported local player count;
- whether online and local players can mix;
- controller and keyboard requirements;
- any mode restrictions;
- the game version that introduced the feature.
Until then, those details remain unconfirmed and are intentionally not guessed here.
Related multiplayer questions
For the released networked feature, read Online Multiplayer. For the overall party cap, read Machine Party Max Players. Both pages keep the 2–4 player fact separate from the still-changing local-play status.
Quick FAQ
Is Machine Party couch co-op right now?
Not at the August 4, 2026 check. It was still in development.
Was local multiplayer cancelled?
The checked update did not say that. It described local co-op as being worked on.
When will it release?
This guide does not publish a guessed date. Check the latest official update and the current Steam feature labels.