Many PC players' hopes of playing Diablo 4 with friends on the couch have been dashed with recent news of the multiplayer feature being restricted to the console. There are many reasons why the PC couch Co-Op feature has gone missing, and if you want to know more, then keep reading.
Below, we'll take a look at exactly why the multiplayer feature will not be available on the PC port of Diablo 4, as well as what it means for the future of the game. So without further delay, let's get into it.
Update on 1 June 2023: We've updated this article with the latest info on couch-co-op in Diablo 4.
Diablo 4 PC Couch Co-Op Missing? Why The MP Feature is Not Available
During a recent interview, the general manager for Diablo, Rod Fergusson confirmed that the couch Co-Op mode will not be present on the PC version of Diablo 4, and instead will be exclusive for console players. There are a few reasons for this exclusion, and below we'll be taking a look at a few of them presented by the developers at Blizzard.
The first one is a simple technology issue with creating the port, as mentioned by Fergusson in his interview. "It's a technology question," Fergusson explained. "Trying to do shared-screen co-op on PC is much more challenging when it comes to account management and how you play together."
So essentially, the technology to make a co-op couch mode for Diablo 4 does not exist at all, and the focus has likely been putting on streamlining the console co-op experience. This is especially because the technology for co-op on console is already well established and simply required a polish for Diablo 4.
The co-op capabilities for Diablo 4 on console were also prioritized more because there are far more players doing co-op on the couch sessions using their consoles, versus those sitting at a desk together and playing. "When you prioritize the problems you have to solve, solving for two people sitting at a desk, playing on the same PC, is a lower priority when the majority of couch co-op that's going to happen is going to be in front of a sixty-five-inch TV," as Fergusson stated.
So based on everything we know above, it's unlikely that a co-op setting for the PC port of Diablo 4 is coming any time soon, though while it is unfortunate, the game still offers tons of enjoyment by being able to play with friends online.
For more Diablo 4, be sure to check out our dedicated section or some of our Guides & Tutorials just below:
Diablo 4 Class Builds - Best Barbarian Build | | Best Necromancer Build | Best Sorcerer Build | Best Druid Build | Best Rogue Build | All Classes Tier List | Best Class For Beginners | Build Calculator |
Class Mechanics: Sorcerer Enchantment System | Barbarian Arsenal | Rogue Specialization | Necromancer Book of the Dead | Druid Spirit Animals | Unlock Golems |
Items - Healing Vial | Item Slot Types | Transmogs/Wardrobe | Salvage Items | Durability & Repair | Trading Items | All Unique Items & Stats | Set Items | Item Quality/Rarity Levels | Elixirs | Butcher's Cleaver | Cry of Ashava Trophy |
Features: Beginners Guide | Impressions From Beta |
Quests: Ritual Tower Key | Forgive Me Side Quest | Traveler's Prayer Side Quest | Secret Of The Spring Riddle | Raising Spirits Side Quest | Woodsman Of Nevesk | Fiend Rose |
General D4 Guides: Legendary & Gold Farming | Town Portal | Inventory Size | Stash Size | Beat Lilith's Lament | Beat Den Mother Boss | Beat Lord Avitus Boss | Beat Blood Bishop Boss | Reset Dungeons | Gathering Legions Guide | The Butcher Boss | Leave Dungeons | All Stronghold Locations | Hardcore Mode | Change Difficulty | Unlock/Launch Time | Balance Changes | Patch Notes |
Diablo 4 Tech Guides - Ray Tracing Support | Couch Co-Op | Server Regions | PC Requirements & File Size | Diablo 4 Servers Down? | Connection Issues Fix | Crashing Issues Fix | Unable To Install or Patch | Low FPS Fix | Error Code 34202 Fix | Disable Fog & Glare | Stuck in Queue Fix | Console Issues | PC Issues | Enable & Disable Chat Bubbles | Hit Max Level Fast | Best PC Settings High FPS | Error Code 395002 Fix | Error Code 316719 Fix | D4 on Steam Deck | Offline Mode | DLSS 3 & NVIDIA Reflex |
Crafting/Vendors - Jeweler | Gambling & Obols | Occultist | Alchemist | Blacksmith | | Monster Parts | Skins | Ore | Plants |
Legendary Aspects - Codex of Power | Sorcerer Legendary Powers | Barbarian Legendary Powers | Rogue Legendary Powers | Necromancer Legendary Powers | Druid Legendary Powers
Activities - Strongholds | Nightmare Dungeons | Silent Chests | Altars of Lilith | Helltides | Endgame |
Story & Lore - Campaign Length | Who is Lilith? | Who is Inarius | Deckard Cain | Secret Cow Level | All D4 Acts Listed |
Zones - Fractured Peaks Overview | Scosglen | Kehjistan | Dry Steppes | Hawezar | All Waypoint Locations | Full World Map | Fractured Peaks Chests | Fractured Peaks Cellars |
Stronghold Guides - Kor Dragan | Malnok | Nostrava |
Mounts - Temptation Mount | Diablo 4 Class Dismount Mechanics | Unlock & Customize |
Seasons - Battle Pass Price | Diablo 4 Season Duration | Battle Pass Differences | Get Favor | Next Season Start Date | Season Blessings | Season Journey | Diablo 4 Content Roadmap |
Gameplay Systems - Armor System | Clans | Primary Stats & Effects | Shrines & Buffs | Renown & Reputation | Max Level & Paragon Cap | World Tier Difficulty Levels | Followers/Mercenaries |
World Bosses - Ashava | Avarice | Wandering Death | Beat Ashava | Ashava Spawn Location |
Diablo 4 Misc - Statue of Inarius Price & Specs | Wolf Pack Cosmetic | Codes | Diablo 4 Free-to-Play? | Mother's Inked Title | Collector's Edition | How To Respec | Stagger Mechanic | Patch Notes | Asmongold Diablo 4 Beta Thoughts | Item Shop | Wings of the Creator Emote |
Challenges/Achievements - Necromancer Challenges | Barbarian Challenges | Druid Challenges | Rogue Challenges | Sorcerer Challenges | Crafting Challenges
Diablo 4 PvP - Coming soon!
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