Next month, Halo: Campaign Evolved will become the first Halo game released on PlayStation 5. Unfortunately, if you were planning to play that port with a friend, you’ll have to deal with a very annoying PlayStation Plus requirement.
A community Q&A about Halo: Campaign Evolved was recently posted on Halo Waypoint, answering several questions players had about the game. One question was “Are there any Xbox account requirements to play the game solo or co-op?” In response, senior community manager John Junyszek revealed that PS Plus subscriptions are required, even for local split-screen co-op.
“If you’re playing split-screen on PlayStation 5, both accounts will need to have PlayStation Plus and be linked to a Microsoft account,” Junyszek explained. “Having these active PlayStation Plus subscriptions will also provide access to online co-op play.”
The PS Plus subscription will give the account access to online features on PS5, while connecting to a Microsoft account means each player can independently use cross-progression. These requirements make sense for those who want to play this remake online with others, but it’s much more baffling that they also restrict how local split-screen gameplay works.
In practice, Halo: Campaign Evolved‘s split-screen works similarly to titles like Fortnite, where separate PlayStation accounts are required for co-op. This isn’t an online-focused competitive game, though, and Fortnite actually lets you play without a PS Plus subscription. For Halo: Campaign Evolved’s local co-op, each of the two players will need a $10.99 monthly PS Plus Essential subscription, even after buying the game for $49.99. When all is said and done, PS5 players will pay at least $71.97 for split-screen co-op.
Meanwhile, those on Xbox or PC will only need to create free Microsoft accounts to play local co-op, making those feel like the superior versions of Halo: Campaign Evolved. Although this remake may not be an Xbox console exclusive like Gears of War: E-Day, this frustrating feature makes it seem as if Xbox wishes it were.
Halo: Campaign Evolved launches for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X on July 28.