Halo: Campaign Evolved PS5 players will require an Xbox account and gamertag to play – as well as PS Plus to play split-screen co-op

UPDATE 21/06/26: Halo Studios has corrected its original Halo Waypoint announcement, specifying that you do not need a PlayStation Plus account for local splitscreen co-op.

Previously, a Halo Waypoint update said that for PS5 splitscreen, both players would need PlayStation Plus and be signed in to Microsoft accounts. The wording has now been updated to say: “PlayStation 5: If you’re running local splitscreen co-op on PlayStation 5, both people must be logged into PlayStation accounts and linked to Microsoft accounts. A PlayStation Plus account is NOT necessary for local splitscreen co-op. If you want to play online co-op, you’ll need an active PlayStation Plus subscription.”

The original report follows.

ORIGINAL STORY 20/06/26: To play Halo: Campaign Evolved on PS5, players will need an Xbox account and a gamertag.

This information comes from a recent Community Q&A on Halo Waypoint, which states that “just as you do today for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo Infinite to enable smooth cross-platform progression, playing Halo: Campaign Evolved will require a Microsoft account and an Xbox Gamertag, no matter which platform(s) you pick.”

The Q&A also implied that anyone planning to use split-screen on PS5 would need a current PlayStation Plus subscription, along with being “linked to a Microsoft account.”

As the studio put it: “Just like you do today for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Halo Infinite to ensure smooth cross-platform progression, to participate in Halo: Campaign Evolved you will require a Microsoft account and Xbox Gamertag, irrespective of the platform(s) you utilize. This enables both cross-platform play and cross-platform advancement.”

Below is the full breakdown of what’s needed based on the system you’re using:

• Xbox Series X|S: If you’re using split-screen on an Xbox console, the second player will need their own separate Microsoft account as well. For online co-op, you must have an active Xbox Game Pass subscription.
• PlayStation 5: If you’re playing split-screen on PlayStation 5, both players must have PlayStation Plus and be connected to a Microsoft account. Having an active PlayStation Plus subscription will also let you access online co-op.
• Steam: If you’re playing through Steam, you’ll need to connect it to a Microsoft account.

“If you want to jump in right away on July 28, we suggest creating an Xbox account ahead of time so you don’t lose time when you insert the disc,” Xbox recommended.

“Nintendo has a console that lets you detach controllers and begin local multiplayer in 5 seconds,” pointed out one frustrated commenter. “But they’re asking for two subscriptions for the same [privilege]. What is going on??????????????”

The Q&A further noted that there are currently no plans to bring back stock for the Collector’s Edition, and that retail partners “have verified orders and found no signs of widespread scalping”.

And if you missed it: no, Hollywood icon Tom Cruise didn’t almost voice Halo’s iconic Master Chief, and Hollywood star Julia Roberts wasn’t nearly involved with Halo either. There was a conversation at a party, though—featuring a casting agent and Halo voice director and composer Marty O’Donnell—but that’s all it was.

We were truly impressed by Halo: Campaign Evolved during our playthrough.