The PC platform has long been heralded as the premier way to experience the latest iteration of Halo: Campaign Evolved. However, a notable absence has left many players scratching their heads: the lack of split-screen functionality. While both Xbox and PS5 versions boast this feature, PC users are confined to online co-op play only. This omission, while perhaps overlooked a decade ago, has become increasingly significant with the rise of living room PCs and local game streaming, making the absence of split-screen feel particularly frustrating for fans.
Halo Studios’ decision to exclude this feature has not gone unnoticed and has sparked a wave of disappointment among the community. Yet, in a twist of fate, modders have stepped in to fill the gap. A mod titled “Halo Campaign Evolved Split-screen Coop”, created by Jpurd123 and available on Nexus, has emerged as a potential solution. This clever modification utilizes existing code within the PC remake to enable local split-screen play, suggesting that the capability was there all along, just not activated by the developers.
Modding Community Steps Up
Once the mod is installed, players can activate split-screen with a simple keyboard shortcut before launching their gaming session. Feedback from users on the mod page indicates that it functions effectively, provided the installation steps are meticulously followed. The modding community’s quick response is a testament to their dedication, especially considering that similar solutions for earlier Halo titles took significantly longer to materialize.
However, there are some limitations to be aware of. Currently, the mod supports only two-player split-screen, which is a disappointment given that the remake was designed with four-player co-op in mind. Additionally, the mod has been tested exclusively with the Steam version of Campaign Evolved, leaving players using PC Game Pass or the Microsoft Store potentially out of luck. Compounding these challenges, reports suggest that split-screen functionality requires both players to use controllers; mixing keyboard and mouse with controllers results in the keyboard commandeering both screens, an unexpected quirk that adds to the mod’s finicky nature.
Despite these caveats, the emergence of such a mod so soon after the game’s release is a promising sign for the community. As the mod evolves, there is hope that improvements will enhance the experience further. For now, players can take solace in the fact that the spirit of local multiplayer is alive and well, thanks to the ingenuity of dedicated modders.
