Halo: Campaign Evolved Couch Co-Op Does Not Require Two PS+ Accounts, After All. Game Skips Photo Mode

Halo Studios, Halo: Campaign Evolved

Last week, there had been some significant concern about the couch co-op play requirements for Halo: Campaign Evolved, the first ever (and maybe last ever) Halo game to come to PlayStation hardware.

On the official Halo Waypoint blog, Halo Studios shared information about the requirements for couch play across XBOX, PlayStation and Steam. Gamers were quick to notice that for PlayStation it stated PlayStation Plus – the paid monthly membership to play online on PlayStation – was required. Fortunately, that has turned out to be an error.

To quash concerns and clarify the situation, Halo posted the following to X (formerly Twitter):

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. https://t.co/dzemK02U1h
— Halo (@Halo) June 21, 2026

So, what do you now actually need to play Halo: Campaign Evolved in couch co-op? A Microsoft (XBOX) account is required regardless of where you play, which will enable cross-platform and cross-progression. Here’s what is now stated on the official updated blog post:

XBOX Series X|S: If you’re playing splitscreen local co-op on an XBOX console, both players will need a unique Microsoft account. Online network co-op play requires an active XBOX Game Pass subscription.
PlayStation 5®: If you’re playing splitscreen local co-op on PlayStation 5®, both players will need to be signed into PlayStation accounts and be linked to Microsoft accounts. A PlayStation Plus account is NOT required for local splitscreen co-op. Online network co-op play requires an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
Steam: If you’re playing via Steam, you will need to link to a Microsoft account.

Halo Waypoint recommends getting an XBOX account setup ahead of launch to save some faffing time on launch, June 28, 2026. Early access is offered 5 days early for Premium or Collectors Edition owners.

Halo: Campaign Evolved Skips Photo and Theatre Modes

One other note you have missed from the blog post is that Campaign Evolved will not have a Photo Mode, nor will there be a Theatre Mode which has been a staple of Halo since the genre-advancing implementation seen in Halo 3, 19 whole years ago (yikes!).

Another important note is that Halo Studios are shipping this game as ‘content complete’. Since the 360-era Halo titles, they have added a lot of post-launch content including Firefight missions, new multiplayer maps and more. There are currently no plans from the studio to add more content to Campaign Evolved following launch day, though its likely the developer will be working to fix known bugs and issues – particularly important as this is Halo’s first multi-console launch.

And ICYMI – last week, Halo Studios shared the Halo: Campaign Evolved Achievement List which includes another notorious LASO playthrough.

How many times have you played Halo: Combat Evolved before? Will you be grabbing all of the new skulls? Join the Gamer Social Club Discord to share your thoughts on the return of Halo and all your favourite games.