Halo fans on PlayStation can breathe a sigh of relief. Following confusion surrounding the recently announced co-op requirements for Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5, Halo Studios has now confirmed that PlayStation Plus will not be required for local split-screen co-op after all.
The controversy began when official information suggested that both players would need PlayStation Plus subscriptions, PlayStation Network accounts, and linked Microsoft accounts to play local split-screen co-op on a single PS5. The requirement quickly sparked criticism from players, as local couch co-op has traditionally not required an online subscription.
Shortly after the backlash, Halo Studios issued a clarification through its official channels, stating that the original information was incorrect. According to the updated statement, local split-screen co-op only requires a PlayStation account for each player and does not require a PlayStation Plus subscription.
The correction means PS5 players will be able to enjoy Halo’s classic couch co-op experience without paying for additional subscriptions. However, players will still need separate PlayStation accounts, and Microsoft account linking remains part of the game’s ecosystem.
The misunderstanding comes as Halo prepares for its historic PlayStation debut. Halo: Campaign Evolved launches on July 28 and will feature two-player split-screen co-op, four-player online co-op, cross-platform play, and cross-progression support across platforms.
With the confusion now cleared up, PlayStation players can look forward to experiencing one of Halo’s most iconic features exactly as many fans expected: sitting on the same couch and playing together without a PlayStation Plus subscription.
When does Halo: Campaign Evolved launch?
The game is scheduled to release on July 28, 2026.
