UPDATE 6:44 p.m. PT: Halo Studios has clarified that a PlayStation Plus subscription will not be required for Halo: Campaign Evolved split-screen co-op on PS5.
The developer revealed in an X/Twitter post that its previous explanation, which said that both users will need PlayStation Plus accounts to play local co-op, was “incorrect.” Although split-screen players will need to have standard PlayStation accounts, they will not be required to have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
The original Halo Waypoint post has also been updated with the clarification. A PlayStation Plus subscription will still be required for online network co-op play. You can read Halo Studios’ full clarification below.
“We incorrectly stated that PlayStation Plus is required for local co-op splitscreen play,” the official Halo X account said. “Local splitscreen co-op requires a PlayStation account for each player but does not require a PlayStation Plus account.”
ORIGINAL STORY: If you plan on hopping into Halo: Campaign Evolved split-screen co-op when it launches for PS5 next month, you’ll need not just one but two accounts with PlayStation Plus subscriptions to play.
Halo Studios clarified the account requirements for the upcoming story remake with a Halo Waypoint Q&A yesterday. It serves as a deep dive into some of the hottest topics to emerge since the game was announced for PC and Xbox Series X | S – and PlayStation 5 – in October 2025, but not everyone is happy with what the team had to say.
The breakdown confirms what is needed to play with others, with each platform demanding different requirements. For example, you’ll need at least a Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag, regardless of whether you’re a PC, Xbox, or PlayStation user, to enable cross-play and cross-platform progression. Halo: Campaign Evolved’s requirements on PlayStation, specifically, however, are especially steep.
“If you’re playing split-screen on PlayStation 5, both accounts will need to have PlayStation Plus and be linked to a Microsoft account,” Halo Studios said. “Having these active PlayStation Plus subscriptions will also provide access to online co-op play.”
Based on this explanation, when players sit down to play Halo: Campaign Evolved co-op in July, all participating users will need to have an active subscription, even if they’re sitting right next to each other on the couch. PlayStation Plus is usually only required to access online multiplayer for premium gaming experiences, while free-to-play and offline titles can be enjoyed without a subscription.
For comparison, those on Xbox Series X | S looking to play split-screen will only need a unique Microsoft account, while players hoping to enjoy co-op online will need an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. Those playing on Steam will only need to link to a Microsoft account.
Halo: Campaign Evolved will not be free-to-play, but the decision to lock even split-screen behind the Sony gaming service seems especially strange. Judging by reactions to the news online, many agree.
“Needing to buy online to play local split screen is some next level insanity,” one X/Twitter user said.
“Player 2 on your couch needs PS Plus and a Microsoft account,” another added. “[Halo: Combat Evolved] 2001 is laughing.”
Halo: Campaign Evolved launched in 2001 and has remained one of the most beloved games in the Xbox catalog since. That’s thanks, in part, to its co-op feature, which has allowed players to enjoy its story mode together – and at no extra charge – for decades.
Halo: Campaign Evolved reimagines that classic sci-fi narrative for modern devices, and although co-op is back with newly added support for up to four players online, it sounds like those hoping to relive the glory days of one of the oldest couch co-op Xbox experiences will need to jump through more than a few hoops to make it happen on PS5. IGN has reached out to Sony for comment and additional clarification regarding PlayStation Plus requirements for the game.
“Yeahhhhh this just went from a day-1 buy to a not-buy honestly,” one Reddit user reacted. “I was gonna play with my wife, but honestly have no interest in playing in my own. It’s not worth paying for a whole nother subscription to do that. Kind of ridiculous.”
“You need to have an account linked to Microsoft AND pay for PS Plus just to play split-screen local co-op???” someone else added. “Since when did we reach this level of madness?!?!”
PlayStation Plus offers three tiers: Essential ($10.99/month), Extra ($16.99/month), and Premium ($19.99/month). Prices across the service were increased in May. Halo: Campaign Evolved has a release date of July 28, 2026, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X | S. For more, you can read IGN’s final preview for the game.
Michael Cripe is a freelance writer with IGN. He’s best known for his work at sites like The Pitch, The Escapist, and OnlySP. Be sure to give him a follow on Bluesky (@mikecripe.bsky.social) and Twitter (@MikeCripe).
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