For a time we had plans to make BFF or Die work as an online multiplayer game. After further discussion and some early tests we came to the conclusion that it would add an unachievable workload to our small team of three, who at that time were totally self funded and working on the game in our spare time only.
People still do ask us if BFF or Die will ever be playable as an online multiplayer. We’re very glad to say that… it is *now* thanks to some magic software called Parsec! After someone on the community page (thank you to a prolific Steam reviewer called Darkness!) told us about Parsec we were intrigued and started testing it out.
Here’s how it works: you decide which game a friend can access, run it and then stream your screen to them. You also give your friend permission to access your control pad and/or keyboard. That friend can then play any game with you as if it has native online multiplayer support. Magic!
A few tests later and we were impressed enough to get in touch with the people who make Parsec and have a call with them so now BFF or Die is on their list of curated games :) It really does work well, especially if you have a good internet connection and a fast enough PC.
Here’s how to get started:
First use whichever voice chat you normally use and start a call with your friend. Parsec doesn’t require this, but BFF or Die is *all about the communication* so you need to be able to speak and listen to your teammate to have fun playing it together.
- Download the Parsec application from: http://parsecgaming.com (it’s free)
- Open it and create an account.
- Ask your friend to download Parsec and create an account.
- Open Steam and Run BFF or Die, leave it running and go back to Parsec.
- In the Parsec hosting settings select the apps on your machine that can be accessed by other people - choose BFF or Die.
- Add your friend to your friend list and choose which controllers they can ‘take over’- choose keyboard and/or control pad.
- Your friend will see a “play” button which let’s them join your session if they click it.
- Now when you go back to BFF or Die your friend will see and hear it and they can control a character so you can play together!
Once you beat the story mode in 2-player mode get another friend to play with you in 3-player and then another in 4-player. You’ll notice the levels change around and feel different depending on how many people are playing! Each mode has separate trophies too for those who love a challenge. Then after story mode you can try random/procedural challenges in “The Infinite Trials which is *really* hard”.
If you have any issues using Parsec they’ll be happy to help you on their Discord chat, it’s their software so they know how to use it best: https://discordapp.com/invite/cQjEGFy
We still think being in the same room with your Player 2 is the best way to experience BFF or Die but if that’s not possible because you live far away from each other, well, now you can BFF together online using Parsec.
Have fun!
Alex, Shaz, Anj (ASA Studio)