Halo: Campaign Evolved Requires PlayStation Accounts for Split-Screen

If you were planning on sitting down with a friend or family member for some classic couch co-op in Halo: Campaign Evolved, you might have been worried by recent reports regarding subscription barriers. Following a wave of community feedback, developer Halo Studios has stepped in to clarify exactly what you need to play together on PlayStation 5 when the game launches on July 28, 2026.

Initially, a blog post on Halo Waypoint suggested that both players would need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access local split-screen. The studio has since walked that back, confirming that while both users must be linked to a Microsoft account, they do not actually need to pay for a PS Plus subscription to enjoy the campaign locally.

While the removal of the double-subscription requirement is a significant relief for players, the situation still highlights a modern friction point for couch co-op gaming. Because the game requires both participants to link to Microsoft’s services, the campaign remains an always-online experience. Even when you are sitting on the same couch, the game treats the connection as an online feature, which has led to confusion regarding Sony’s system architecture and Xbox account requirements.

Account Linking and Local Play

Microsoft currently recommends that players set up their individual Microsoft accounts before inserting the disc. This is because the game does not support a traditional 'guest' profile for the second player. By requiring a full account link, the game ensures that progress and identity are tracked through Xbox services, regardless of the platform you are playing on.

This approach has drawn criticism from players who view the mandatory account linking for local sessions as needlessly complicated. Unlike the Xbox version of the game, which does not require a second Game Pass subscription for local play, the PlayStation 5 version’s reliance on external network connections to Microsoft's servers makes the setup feel more like an online experience than a standard offline one.

For those preparing for the launch next month, it is worth ensuring your Microsoft account is ready to go to avoid any setup delays. While the double PS Plus requirement is off the table, the necessity of an active internet connection and individual Microsoft accounts remains a key part of the Halo: Campaign Evolved infrastructure.