Question Can two people play on the same computer?

[ThatSourMelon]

So let’s say I have a friend and we want to play a game on my pc, can we both play a game on it? Like, if I have two monitors and I have 2 mice and 2 keyboards, can I have two windows of the same game (logged into different profiles) open, then could it be done? I have 16 gb of ram, would that be enough?

 

[punkncat]

You would need to set up a virtual machine so it acts like 2

 

[AllanGH]

Wasn't this identical question asked a couple of weeks ago?

 

[jsmithepa]

I missed the memo where it details how to use two keyboards on 1 PC simultaneously.

 

[ThatSourMelon]

You would need to set up a virtual machine so it acts like 2

Thanks! But would you please care to elaborate?

 

[USAFRet]

The term you're looking for is 'multiseat'.
It is neither cheap nor easy.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJYMCbIbPk

 

[punkncat]

Thanks! But would you please care to elaborate?

As far as detailed instructions, I can't. Never done it.

However, put very simply your OS is designed for one person to use at a time. You set up your hardware and software where you create individual virtual computers for each person that is gaming to use. It will come from the same (main) computer where you use the software to allocate resources to each virtual machine. You have individual keyboard/mouse/monitor set up for each machine and they act like they are independent computers. There are loads of videos and tutorials online with more specifics on how to and what you need to make it happen.

 

[USAFRet]

Further:

Is multiseat gaming a good option? And should I consider doing it?

Yo LTT forums its mega. I recently watched linus' video about 2 players on 1 pc. I have looked into it before, and my old elementary school used a multi seat setup with 4 monitors for 1 pc, which was fine because it was 2008 and anything done on them was internet explorer or Kids' Pix. Oh god tha...

linustechtips.com

View: https://www.reddit.com/r/linux_gaming/comments/85rcjn/do_you_guys_have_any_experience_with_multiseat/

https://martin-ueding.de/articles/windows-multiseat/index.html

 

[AllanGH]

Ah....easy to do on Linux...I had forgotten that I had done it with a RedHat 7.3 installation that my daughters and son used when they were little.

At the time, you just set-up Xforwarding on the machine, SSH into it from another desktop, and you were operating the machine with your mouse and keyboard just like you were sitting in front of it.

It was great for when kids had a question that needed co-piloting from the other side of the house, or doing system maintenance.

I never was interested in gaming, so it wasn't used for that.

I need to make a note to myself and try that again when I have time....see how the method has changed since 2004.

 

[USAFRet]

SSH into the other system is no different than RDC in Windows.

The issue here is 2 simultaneous control inputs, directing 2 individual software stacks in the same system. And directing each software stack out to its own monitor.

 

[AllanGH]

Hmmmm....I think I see what you're saying.

Nevermind. LOL

The Arch implementation looks interesting, though, and they just revved on the first of the month.