Halo Campaign Evolved on PS5 Will Not Require PlayStation Plus for Local Split-Screen Co-Op
Halo fans preparing to jump into Halo Campaign Evolved on PlayStation 5 can breathe a sigh of relief: local split-screen co-op will not require PlayStation Plus. Halo Studios has clarified how couch co-op works on PS5 after an earlier official FAQ caused confusion among players.
The misunderstanding started when a technical Q&A suggested that two people playing local split-screen on the same PS5 would both need active PlayStation Plus subscriptions. That sparked immediate frustration, especially because split-screen co-op has long been one of Halo’s most beloved features. For many players, sharing a campaign on the same couch is part of the franchise’s identity.
Halo Studios has now corrected the information and confirmed that PlayStation Plus is not needed for local split-screen play. Instead, each player only needs a separate PlayStation account on the console. The studio also explained that every player must link their PlayStation profile to a unique Microsoft account.
That means two people can play Halo Campaign Evolved in local split-screen on one PlayStation 5 without paying for two PlayStation Plus memberships. The only required setup is account-based: separate PlayStation profiles and separate Microsoft accounts for each local player.
The rules are different for online play. If you want to play network co-op over the internet, PlayStation Plus is still required. Online multiplayer features on PS5 typically need an active subscription, and Halo Campaign Evolved follows that same requirement. Players will also need a linked Microsoft account for online co-op.
For solo players, the setup is simpler. If you are playing the campaign alone on PS5, you only need one PlayStation Network profile connected to a Microsoft account. No PlayStation Plus subscription is required for single-player campaign access.
The Microsoft account requirement applies to both the PlayStation 5 and PC versions of Halo Campaign Evolved. Halo Studios uses this system to support cross-platform features, including progression tracking, gameplay statistics, and achievement syncing. While it adds an extra step during setup, it helps keep player data connected across platforms.
The clarification is important because Halo Campaign Evolved marks a major moment for the franchise as Master Chief arrives on PlayStation 5 hardware. With the game scheduled to launch on July 28, 2026, many longtime fans and new players are already watching closely to see how the experience will work outside the Xbox ecosystem.
For now, the key takeaway is simple: Halo Campaign Evolved supports local split-screen co-op on PS5 without PlayStation Plus. Players who want to enjoy classic couch co-op can do so without an added subscription barrier, as long as each player has their own PlayStation profile and linked Microsoft account.
