Split screen (computer graphics)

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Various methods to display multiple signals on a 16:9 screen: 1+3, 3+1 (4:3), 2×2, 3×3, 4×4 (16:9), 1+1 (8:9 vertical, 16:4½ horizontal), 4×3 (4:3), 1 in 12 (16:9).

The computer graphics technique called split screen display consists of dividing graphics and/or text into non-movable adjacent parts, typically two or four rectangular areas, in order to allow the simultaneous presentation of (usually) related graphical and textual information on a computer display. Split screen differs from windowing systems in that the latter allows overlapping and freely movable parts of the screen (the "windows") to present related as well as unrelated application data to the user, while the former more strictly conforms to the description given in the above paragraph.

The split screen technique can also be used to run two aspects of an application, with possibly another user interacting with the other perspective. This feature is commonly used in non-networked computer and video games with multiplayer options. The concept was pioneered by Bally Midway's arcade game Xenophobe (1987; later ported to many video game consoles).

An easier way to explain it is to say that split-screen is a screen (Such as a TV) that has been split into two to explore different areas without being close to each other, this given that it's a video game.

One specific issue with split-screen multiplayer is screen peeking, where one player examines the opposing player's screen to determine their location. This has been widely acknowledged as unsporting, and has, in rare, extreme cases, led to physical fights.^{[citation needed]}