The Escapists 3 Player Split Screen: Local Co-op Guide

Split Screen in The Escapists 3 at a Glance

The Escapists 3 by Team17 — who handles both development and publishing — is the next entry in the prison-escape sandbox series, and it is currently listed on Steam (app 3602260) with a release date marked "Coming Soon" / to be announced. Even before launch, one of the most talked-about features among fans is the confirmed split screen support. According to the official Steam listing, the game supports local split-screen for 2 players in both PvP and co-op, online co-op for up to 4 players, online PvP, and Remote Play Together.

That makes this entry notably multiplayer-friendly compared to what fans might remember from earlier series entries — though to be clear, all details here come strictly from the confirmed Steam feature list and announcements for The Escapists 3 only.

Here is a quick summary of the confirmed multiplayer setup:

What the Split Screen Player Count Is

The confirmed local split-screen player count for The Escapists 3 is 2. This means you and one other player can share the same screen on the same machine — one keyboard and controller setup, or two controllers — and attempt escapes together or against each other.

For online play, the numbers scale up: online co-op supports up to 4 players. So if your household only has two people but your friend group is four, you can mix local and online play. With Remote Play Together also confirmed, a remote friend can even join your local split-screen session over the internet, with only the host needing to own the game.

Co-op vs PvP: Two Ways to Escape

The Steam feature list confirms that split-screen works for both co-op and PvP. In co-op, two local players presumably work together toward freedom — coordinating routines, covering for each other during roll call, and dividing labor across prison jobs. In PvP split screen, the two local players compete, though the exact PvP rulesets and match types have not been detailed yet and are listed as not found / to be announced.

What we do know from the announcement is the sandbox both modes take place in: a 3D prison sandbox with 5 prisons, over 120 items and weapons, craft/sneak/fight systems, XP-based skills, and the classic daily structure of roll call, jobs, and patrolling guards.

Remote Play Together and Family Sharing

Two additional Steam features worth highlighting for The Escapists 3 player split screen fans:

1. Remote Play Together — This lets you host a local split-screen session and invite a friend online. The friend doesn't need to own the game; they stream your copy and take control of the second player. This is a great workaround if only one of you owns the game at launch, and it effectively extends the 2-player local mode over the internet.
2. Family Sharing — The Steam listing confirms Family Sharing support, meaning members of a Steam Family can share access to the game in your household library, another way to get a second player on the couch without a second purchase.

Full controller support is also confirmed, which matters for split screen — two gamepads on one PC is typically the smoothest way to run a shared-screen session.

How This Compares Within the Series (Carefully)

Because The Escapists 3 is pre-release, details are limited, and it is important not to borrow facts from The Escapists, The Escapists 2, or The Escapists Complete Edition and present them as features of this new game. What is safe to say:

• The Escapists 3 is confirmed for Windows PC. Mac and Linux are not supported at launch per the Steam listing.
• An Xbox store page exists for wishlisting, so console availability is anticipated — though Switch has not been confirmed.
• The confirmed prison count is 5, and the item/weapon count is 120+, with XP-based skill progression.
• Specific details such as crafting recipes, the full skill list, prison names, and system requirements are not found / to be announced.

If you are researching split-screen plans, always check the official sources rather than assuming parity with previous games in the series.

Where to Follow Official Updates

Since the release date is to be announced, the most reliable places to track news are the Steam page and the official website. You can wishlist the game on Steam to receive notifications when the release date, price, and demo status (currently not found) are announced.

FAQ

How many players does The Escapists 3 split screen support?

Local split screen supports 2 players, in both co-op and PvP configurations. Online co-op supports up to 4 players.

Can I play The Escapists 3 split screen online with friends who don't own the game?

Yes — Remote Play Together is confirmed, so a friend can join your local split-screen session via streaming without owning the game themselves.

Is The Escapists 3 coming to Mac, Linux, or Switch?

Mac and Linux are not supported per the Steam listing. An Xbox store page exists for wishlisting. Nintendo Switch has not been confirmed.

When does The Escapists 3 release, and what will it cost?

The release date is to be announced / "Coming Soon." Price, early access plans, and demo availability are currently not found.