Halo: Campaign Evolved supports up to four players online across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Online co-op includes crossplay, and campaign progress can sync across platforms through a linked Microsoft account. Xbox Series X|S and PS5 also support two-player split-screen on one console. PC does not support split-screen.
The full 13-mission campaign can be played cooperatively, including the rebuilt Halo: Combat Evolved story and its three new prequel missions. Before the fireteam drops onto the ring, every player should understand which account to link, which friend list to use, and what progress will still be there after switching platforms.
How many people can play Halo: Campaign Evolved co-op?
The player limit depends on how the group is playing:
- Online co-op: up to four players
- Xbox Series X|S split-screen: two players
- PlayStation 5 split-screen: two players
- PC split-screen: not supported
- Solo: supported across all platforms
Two players sharing a console can join an online fireteam with other systems, creating a three- or four-player group. Once a split-screen session connects to a network game, normal online subscription rules may apply.
There is no competitive multiplayer in this release. The co-op modes cover the campaign rather than a separate arena or matchmaking playlist.
How to start split-screen on Xbox or PS5
Split-screen is available on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5. You need two controllers and two signed-in profiles. Guest accounts are not supported.
- Launch Halo: Campaign Evolved with the first profile signed in.
- Connect the second controller before leaving the main menu.
- On the second controller, press A on Xbox or Cross on PlayStation.
- Choose and sign in to the second player’s profile when prompted.
- Wait for Player 2 to appear in the fireteam.
- Open the campaign and select the mission or rally point the group wants to play.
On PS5, the second player’s PlayStation Network profile must already be linked to a Microsoft account. Player 2 can adjust controls and accessibility settings during the session but cannot change every option available to the primary player. Armor and weapon customization must be changed while that profile is signed in as the primary player.
Local two-player split-screen does not require Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. A subscription may be required if the local pair connects to an online fireteam on other consoles or PCs.
Can you play split-screen on PC?
No. Halo: Campaign Evolved does not support split-screen on PC. Computer players can play solo or join online co-op with up to three other players.
If two people want to play from the same PC setup, the game does not provide a supported local workaround. Each player needs a separate supported system for online co-op, or the group needs to use an Xbox Series X|S or PS5 for couch co-op.
How crossplay works
Crossplay connects Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Steam, and the Xbox app or Microsoft Store version on PC. A Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag are required so Halo can maintain one cross-platform identity and friend list.
PS5 and Steam players are prompted to link their platform profiles to a Microsoft account the first time they play. Xbox players already use a Microsoft account through the console network. Once the accounts are linked, the group can invite friends across platform boundaries.
Crossplay can be turned off in the game’s Account settings. If a friend cannot join, check that Cross-play is enabled before digging into network fixes.
How to invite friends on the same platform
Halo: Campaign Evolved separates friends into platform and cross-platform lists.
Use the Platform Friends list when everyone is connected through the same service:
- Xbox players through the Xbox network
- PS5 players through PlayStation Network
- Steam players through Steam
- Xbox app or Microsoft Store PC players through the Xbox network
Open the Play Co-Op menu, select the correct friend, and send the invitation. On PC, an invitation can sometimes be easier to receive when Xbox Game Bar is already open with Windows + G.
How to invite cross-platform friends
Cross-platform friends must be connected through their Xbox Gamertags, even when one player is on PlayStation or Steam.
- Confirm that every player has linked the correct Microsoft account.
- Add each player’s Gamertag through the Xbox network.
- Open Play Co-Op in Halo: Campaign Evolved.
- Switch to the Cross-Platform Friends list.
- Invite the players and wait for the full fireteam to appear before launching the mission.
If someone appears on a native platform list but not the cross-platform list, check the Gamertag friendship rather than repeatedly sending a PlayStation or Steam invite.
What cross-progression saves
Cross-progression uses the linked Microsoft account. The following campaign progress carries between supported platforms:
- Mission unlocks
- Rally Point unlocks
- Skulls
- Terminals
- Achievements
Small mid-mission details do not transfer. A checkpoint reached after one encounter and the player’s exact position inside a level will not follow the account to another platform. Mission completion and larger rally points will still sync.
This means switching from Xbox to PS5 or PC is safest between missions or after reaching a major Rally Point. Quitting in the middle of a difficult room may send the player back farther than expected on the next system.
How co-op progression works for the fireteam
Co-op progression permanently grants campaign unlocks to every player in the fireteam as the group plays. Mission and Rally Point access, Skulls, and Terminals are not reserved only for the fireteam leader.
The session itself still depends on the leader. If the fireteam leader leaves or disconnects, everyone returns to the main menu. Another player can start a new session, but the group does not remain inside the mission after the original leader disappears.
Choose the player with the strongest and most stable connection as the leader. The quality of a co-op session depends heavily on that player’s connection, even when the other three connections look fine.
Do you need Game Pass or PlayStation Plus?
Two-player console split-screen does not require an online subscription when both players stay on the same console.
Online console co-op requires the platform’s applicable multiplayer access. On Xbox, that means an eligible Game Pass tier for online console multiplayer. On PS5, online play requires an eligible PlayStation Plus membership. Account sharing and home-console rules can change which signed-in profile needs the subscription when a split-screen pair joins an online fireteam.
PC subscription requirements depend on how the game was obtained. Halo: Campaign Evolved is available through Steam, the Xbox PC ecosystem, and eligible Game Pass plans, but crossplay itself does not require every player to own the same edition or use the same store.
Why a friend cannot join
Run through these checks before rebuilding the entire fireteam:
- Confirm that every PS5 or Steam profile is linked to the intended Microsoft account.
- Open Settings, select Account, and make sure Cross-play is on.
- Check that account privacy settings allow multiplayer, cross-platform play, and online interaction.
- Add cross-platform friends through their Xbox Gamertags, not only through PlayStation Network or Steam.
- On PC, open Xbox Game Bar with Windows + G before resending the invitation.
- Let the player with the strongest connection lead the fireteam.
- If the leader disconnected, create a new session and invite everyone again.
For split-screen, also check that the second controller is connected, the second player has a full profile rather than a guest account, and a PS5 second player has linked a Microsoft account.
The short version
Halo: Campaign Evolved gives the campaign several flexible ways to play, but the rules are specific:
- Four-player online co-op works across Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PC.
- Two-player split-screen works on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 only.
- Crossplay and cross-progression require a linked Microsoft account.
- Missions, Rally Points, Skulls, Terminals, and Achievements sync; mid-mission checkpoints do not.
- Guest accounts do not work for split-screen.
- The fireteam returns to the menu if its leader leaves.
Set up the accounts and friend lists before launching a mission, and the rest feels like Halo should: four Spartans, one campaign, and a Warthog with enough room for everyone.
