: Turn off the "Connect to Internet" setting in your console’s network menu or unplug your Ethernet cable.

For serious LAN parties, PC is the undisputed king. You can run 16+ players on modest hardware, enforce custom configs, and even run a dedicated server on a laptop in the corner. This article focuses primarily on the PC version (Steam/Retail).

Games like Counter-Strike 2 and Overwatch 2 do not have true LAN modes. They require a handshake with Valve/Blizzard servers. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War stripped LAN support entirely.

: Connect a second controller to the console. The second player must sign into a unique console profile (guest accounts are often restricted). : Press the designated join button (typically on PlayStation or on Xbox) once in the local multiplayer lobby. Mode Restrictions : Split-screen is supported in standard 6v6 modes but is unavailable for Zombies, Campaign, and Ground War. 3. LAN Play (Local Area Network)