Anyone looking to get into Halo: Campaign Evolved with a friend will need to make sure that everyone playing has their own online account, even when it comes to playing splitscreen. Regardless if you are playing on Xbox, PS5, or PC, each player needs to have a Microsoft account, and PS5 players will require an active PlayStation Plus subscription for both players.
Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 Requires Online Accounts for Local Co-Op
The Halo: Campaign Evolved account news was all revealed today in a community Q&A blog post that focused on frequently asked questions. Under the question, “Are there any Xbox account requirements to play the game solo or co-op?” Halo Studios wrote that for the purposes of crossplay and cross-progression, a Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag are always required, regardless of platform.
Although the game has no competitive multiplayer like other Halo games, it seems to require you to always be online when playing on PS5, though it doesn’t appear that requirement is on Xbox or Steam.
Xbox Series X|S: If you’re playing split-screen on an XBOX console, the second player will also need a unique Microsoft account. If you want to play online co-op, you will need an active XBOX Game Pass subscription.
PlayStation 5®: If you’re playing split-screen on PlayStation 5®, both accounts will need to have PlayStation Plus and be linked to a Microsoft account. Having these active PlayStation Plus subscriptions will also provide access to online co-op play.
Steam: If you’re playing via Steam, you will need to link to a Microsoft account.
So if you plan on playing Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5 splitscreen with a family member, not only will you need to pay $50 for the game, but you will need two separate active subscriptions to PlayStation Plus. Even if you are playing on Xbox, you can’t play with one active account and a guest; the second player needs their own Microsoft account.
As might be expected, the reaction to this news has not necessarily been received with the greatest optimism for how Microsoft is handling a remake of one of the most important games in its history. As is well known, there are a lot more PlayStation 5 consoles in people’s homes than there are Xbox Series X boxes, and after hearing of a cavalcade of rumors about incoming layoffs and potential studio closures due to poor sales numbers, this isn’t the most sunshine-and-lollipops news to hear when you look at the prospects of this game selling on other platforms.
