Halo PS5 split-screen does not require PlayStation Plus

Halo Studios just cleared up a major point of confusion regarding the PlayStation 5 launch of Halo Campaign Evolved. A technical error in an official blog post left fans under the impression that playing split-screen on the same couch would require a heavy financial barrier. Thankfully, the developer updated its official documentation to explain exactly how local multiplayer works before the game launches on July 28, 2026.

Clearing up the PlayStation Plus confusion

The issue began when a technical Q&A went live on the Halo Waypoint website. In the original text, the studio claimed that if two friends wanted to play local split-screen co-op on a single PS5 console, both players would need an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Since couch co-op has been the backbone of the franchise for decades, the idea of locking offline play behind a double paywall was met with strong disapproval from fans.

Halo Studios quickly fixed the text and put out a direct statement on social media. "We incorrectly stated that PlayStation Plus is required for local co-op splitscreen play," the studio shared on X. "Local splitscreen co-op requires a PlayStation account for each player but does not require a PlayStation Plus account."

How PS5 profiles and accounts work

While you can skip the paid subscription for couch co-op, you still have to deal with a multi-step profile setup. According to the updated guide, both local players must log into separate PlayStation Network accounts on the console. From there, each player has to link their profile to a unique, individual Microsoft account.

The rules change if you want to take the action online. Playing online network co-op still requires a paid PlayStation Plus subscription alongside that linked Microsoft account. For anyone playing the single-player campaign alone, you just need one PlayStation Network profile linked to a Microsoft account, with no subscription required.

Why Microsoft account linking is mandatory

The requirement to link a Microsoft account applies across the board, covering both the PC and PlayStation 5 versions. Halo Studios relies on this unified network account to handle cross-platform progression, sync your gameplay stats, and track achievements across different hardware. It adds a bit of menu-hopping for console users, but removing the double-subscription requirement ensures that classic couch co-op stays completely free of extra hardware fees.

Halo isn't the only massive franchise shaking up different storefronts this week. Capcom opened Resident Evil Veronica wishlists on the Xbox Store, which surpassed 1 million wishlists.