Halo Studios has corrected one of the more surprising PS5 requirements for Halo: Campaign Evolved. Local split-screen co-op on PlayStation 5 will not require PlayStation Plus after all, despite an earlier version of the game's official Q&A saying both local players would need active subscriptions.
The updated Halo Waypoint community Q&A now says both split-screen players on PS5 need to be signed into PlayStation accounts and linked to Microsoft accounts. PlayStation Plus is only required for online network co-op.
Halo's official X account also acknowledged the mistake directly:
"We incorrectly stated that PlayStation Plus is required for local co-op splitscreen play. Local splitscreen co-op requires a PlayStation account for each player but does not require a PlayStation Plus account."
That correction changes the most player-facing part of the previous PS5 co-op guidance. The Microsoft account requirement remains, so PS5 players still need an Xbox Gamertag tied to their account before playing, but couch co-op no longer carries an extra PS Plus subscription requirement.
What PS5, Xbox and Steam players need
Halo Studios says Halo: Campaign Evolved requires a Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag on every platform. The studio says that supports cross-platform play and cross-platform progression across PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam.
On Xbox Series X|S, split-screen local co-op requires each player to use a unique Microsoft account. Online co-op requires an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. On Steam, players also need to link a Microsoft account.
The Q&A says players who want to start immediately on July 28 should create an Xbox account before launch. Halo: Campaign Evolved is a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved's campaign, with updated visuals, revised controls, new cinematics and three new prequel missions. It supports solo play, two-player split-screen on consoles and up to four-player online co-op with crossplay and cross-progression.
Halo: Campaign Evolved launches July 28, 2026. Premium Edition pre-orders include up to five days of early access from July 23.