Halo Campaign Evolved: How Many Players Is Co-Op?

TL;DR

• Halo Campaign Evolved supports up to 4 players online co-op with full crossplay across PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5.
• Local split-screen is 2 players only and is available on Xbox Series X|S and PS5 — not on PC.
• All players must link a free Microsoft account to play online co-op, regardless of platform.
• Campaign progress, Skulls, and mission unlocks are shared across the whole Fireteam.
• There is no PvP multiplayer — this is a campaign-only game.

Halo Campaign Evolved Co-Op Players — The Short Answer

Halo Campaign Evolved supports up to 4 players in online co-op. You can squad up with friends on PC (Steam or Microsoft Store), Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5 — all in the same session thanks to full crossplay.

For local play, the game supports 2-player split-screen on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. PC players do not get split-screen — online only.

This is actually a big deal for the franchise. The original Halo: Combat Evolved only ever had 2-player split-screen. Campaign Evolved is the first time the CE story can be played with a full squad of four.

Online Co-Op — 4 Players with Full Crossplay

Online co-op in Halo Campaign Evolved is built around a 4-player Fireteam. You pick up to three friends, load into the campaign together, and fight through all 13 missions as a squad.

Here is what makes the online co-op stand out:

• Up to 4 players in a single online session.
• Full crossplay — PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PS5 players can all play together.
• Cross-progression — your mission unlocks, Skulls, and Terminals sync across all platforms through your linked Microsoft account.
• Drop-in / drop-out — friends can join or leave mid-mission without breaking your session.
• The Fireteam Leader’s progress is used as the session baseline. Missions and Skulls the host has unlocked become available to everyone in the session — but players only keep what they personally earn.

Want to know more about how the game plays before jumping in? Check our Halo Campaign Evolved review guide for a full breakdown.

Split-Screen Co-Op — 2 Players on Console

If you want to play on the same couch, Halo Campaign Evolved supports 2-player local split-screen on Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.

PC does not support split-screen at all. Online co-op is the only option for PC players who want to play with friends.

How to Start Split-Screen Co-Op on Xbox

1. Launch the game with at least one player signed into the console.
2. Connect the second controller.
3. The Player 2 Join option will appear on screen.
4. Player 2 presses A on the Xbox controller to join the Fireteam.

How to Start Split-Screen Co-Op on PS5

1. Launch the game with the first player signed in.
2. Connect the second controller.
3. The Player 2 Join option will appear on screen.
4. Player 2 presses X on the PlayStation controller to join.

Note: Player 2 in split-screen cannot customise armor or weapons. That option is only available to the primary player.

How to Play Online Co-Op with Friends

Playing online co-op requires a linked Microsoft account on all platforms — even if you bought the game on PS5 or Steam. This is how crossplay and cross-progression work across all three platforms.

Step 1 — Link Your Microsoft Account

The first time you launch Halo Campaign Evolved on PS5 or Steam, the game will prompt you to link your account. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one for free at microsoft.com. Once linked, your Xbox Gamertag becomes your universal player ID across all platforms.

Step 2 — Enable Cross-Play in Settings

1. Open the in-game Settings menu (Menu button on Xbox / Options on PS5 / F1 on keyboard).
2. Go to the Account section.
3. Make sure Cross-play is toggled on.

Step 3 — Invite Your Friends

1. From the main menu, select Play Co-Op.
2. You will see two tabs — Platform Friends and Cross-Platform Friends.
3. Platform Friends are people on the same platform as you (e.g., your Steam friends list).
4. Cross-Platform Friends are players on different platforms — you connect with them through the Xbox network using their Gamertag (e.g., MasterChief#1234).
5. Invite your friends until all four slots in your Fireteam are filled.
6. Select Start Campaign to begin.

To add a cross-platform friend, you can use the Xbox Mobile App, the Xbox Game Bar (Windows + G on PC), or xbox.com. The other player must accept the friend request before you can invite them to a session.

If someone cannot receive your invite, ask them to send the request to you instead — this resolves most connection issues.

Having trouble getting the game to launch in the first place? Read our Halo Campaign Evolved Steam artbook fix guide if Steam is opening the art book instead of the game.

Do You Need a Subscription to Play Co-Op?

It depends on which platform you are on:

• Xbox Series X|S — Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass Ultimate is required for online co-op.
• PlayStation 5 — PlayStation Plus is required for online co-op.
• PC (Steam or Microsoft Store) — No subscription needed for online co-op.

All platforms require a free Microsoft account to access crossplay and cross-progression features.

How Does Co-Op Progression Work?

Co-op progression in Halo Campaign Evolved uses a shared unlock system. When your Fireteam completes a mission or finds a Skull, every player in the session gets credit — even if they had not reached that point in their own campaign.

Here is what carries over for every Fireteam member:

• Mission unlocks (completing mission 5 unlocks mission 5 for all players — not earlier missions)
• Skulls discovered during the session
• Terminals found during the session
• Campaign Achievements

Mid-mission checkpoints do not sync across platforms. If you switch from PS5 to PC, you will load back to the last major Rally Point rather than the exact spot where you left off.

The session runs off the Fireteam Leader’s campaign progress. If the host has all missions and Skulls unlocked, every player in the session can use them during that run — but those players do not keep the unlocks for their own solo campaign unless they earned them.

Is There PvP Multiplayer in Halo Campaign Evolved?

No. Halo Campaign Evolved does not include any PvP modes. There is no Slayer, Team Deathmatch, or Capture the Flag. The game is entirely campaign-focused.

If you want classic Halo PvP, Halo Infinite and Halo: The Master Chief Collection are still the go-to options. Campaign Evolved is designed to be the definitive way to experience the original Halo story — with a squad if you want, but no competitive multiplayer.

Before you load in with your team, make sure your PC can handle it — check our Halo Campaign Evolved PC requirements guide for the full spec breakdown.

Where to Buy Halo Campaign Evolved

• Halo Campaign Evolved on Steam
• Halo Campaign Evolved on Xbox
• Halo Campaign Evolved on PlayStation Store

The Standard Edition is $49.99 and launches July 28, 2026. The Premium Edition ($69.99) includes early access, cosmetics, and the Digital Story & Art Collection.

Frequently Asked Questions