01What happened
The story, straight
Halo: Campaign Evolved will require both players to have active PlayStation Plus subscriptions to play split-screen co-op on PS5, even for offline missions. A June 19 Halo Waypoint Q&A post by senior community manager John Junyszek laid out the requirements: Xbox Series X/S players need a second Microsoft account and Game Pass for online co-op, while PS5 players need PlayStation Plus and a linked Microsoft account for any split-screen play. Kotaku's Lewis Parker called it 'forced double online DRM even for couch co-op,' noting the asymmetry between platforms has already raised alarm bells.
Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5 requires PS Plus for both players in split-screen co-op — couch co-op included, offline missions included. The June 19 Halo Waypoint Q&A from community manager John Junyszek says PS5 players need PlayStation Plus AND a linked Microsoft account just to do local split-screen. Xbox only needs a second Microsoft account for split-screen; Game Pass is only required for online co-op. Kotaku called it 'forced double online DRM even for couch co-op,' and people are already mad about the platform disparity.
02Spread timeline
Where it actually started
03Source receipts
Every claim, linked
04What's solid, what isn't
What's solid and what isn't
- Halo: Campaign Evolved split-screen co-op on PS5 requires PlayStation Plus for both players, per the official Halo Waypoint Q&A from June 19.
- Both players must also have linked Microsoft accounts on PS5.
- Xbox Series X/S split-screen requires a second Microsoft account but not Game Pass; Game Pass is only required for online co-op on Xbox.
- Whether the PS Plus requirement is driven by Sony platform policy, Microsoft licensing, or Halo Studios' own authentication design.
- Community backlash is forming around the platform asymmetry and the cost barrier for couch co-op.
05Why it matters
The editorial take
Requiring a paid online subscription for local couch co-op is an unusual DRM stance, especially given that Xbox handles the same mode without a Game Pass requirement. The asymmetry suggests platform-specific licensing or authentication friction as Halo crosses to PlayStation for the first time. For PS5 owners excited about the franchise's arrival on their console, the double-subscription wall could dampen what should be a landmark release.
needing two PS Plus subs to play split-screen on the couch is a wild DRM choice when Xbox doesn't ask for Game Pass in the same scenario. it's the first time Halo's on PlayStation and the friction is already showing. people bought into the hype for a classic couch co-op experience and now they're finding out it costs $140/year minimum for two subs just to sit on the same sofa. not a great first impression.