Halo: Campaign Evolved Split-Screen on PS5 Requires Two PS Plus Subs, Sparking Backlash

Criticisms of the PS5 Requirements

The PS5 policy has drawn heavy backlash from players and gaming outlets, centering on three main points:

• An offline feature requiring online subscriptions: Split-screen is a local, offline feature, yet it demands that both players have paid PS Plus accounts. Vice described this as "not pretty" and "counterintuitive" for a feature that doesn't use online services .
• No console sharing workaround: Unlike most PS5 games, where a primary account's PS Plus can be shared with local users, Campaign Evolved checks each account individually, forcing a second paid subscription for the second player .
• Perceived unfairness between platforms: Critics note that Xbox and PC players face no paid-subscription barrier for local co-op—only a free Microsoft account—making the PS5 requirement feel uneven and punitive to PlayStation fans .

Launch Details at a Glance

Collector's Edition Status

The $199.99 / €200 Collector's Edition sold out within hours of pre-orders going live on June 7, 2026 . Halo Studios confirmed in the June Community Q&A that the Collector's Edition was "always intended to be a limited run" and that no restock is planned . Resellers are flipping the bundle for $600–$700 on eBay and other marketplaces, and multiple gaming outlets reported that bots and scalpers grabbed inventory within seconds, leaving many fans empty-handed .