Unveiling the Split-Screen Horde: A Deep Dive into Call of Duty Zombies Co-Op

The allure of Call of Duty Zombies lies in its chaotic, cooperative gameplay. Few experiences rival the thrill of holding off hordes of the undead with your friends, especially when shoulder-to-shoulder on the same couch. But the question remains: across the entire Call of Duty franchise, just how many of those Zombies experiences allow for the joys of split-screen multiplayer? The answer is that many Call of Duty games feature split-screen Zombies mode. However, the number of players supported, and the modes in which split-screen is available, vary greatly from title to title. We’re going to break it all down for you.

A Chronological Look at Split-Screen Zombies

Let’s journey through the history of Call of Duty Zombies, mapping out the split-screen capabilities of each major installment.

• Call of Duty: World at War (2008): The one that started it all. World at War featured the original Nazi Zombies mode, and it did support two-player split-screen on consoles. This allowed friends to team up locally and defend against the undead onslaught, marking the birth of a beloved co-op tradition.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops (2010): Black Ops took the Zombies formula and elevated it, introducing iconic maps and a deeper storyline. Crucially, it continued the trend of split-screen support for two players. Some players even found a “glitch” to allow four players on split screen.

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2011): Modern Warfare 3 introduced a Zombies-like mode known as “Survival”. It allows split-screen multiplayer with a maximum of two players online.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012): Widely considered a peak for Zombies, Black Ops II notably increased the split-screen player count. It allowed for four-player split-screen on consoles, offering a truly chaotic and memorable couch co-op experience.

• Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013): In Call of Duty Ghosts’ Extinction mode, you can play up to 2 players in split screen.

• Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (2014): While Advanced Warfare had Zombies via DLC, it continued the two-player trend for split-screen, and only on local play.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III (2015): Black Ops III offered a robust split-screen experience. While online split-screen was limited to two players, local play allowed for up to four players in Zombies mode. Additionally, it uniquely supported split-screen in the campaign mode, with up to two players.

• Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (2016): Infinite Warfare’s Zombies in Spaceland brought a new flavor to the mode. However, it maintained the two-player limit for split-screen, both online and offline.

• Call of Duty: WWII (2017): WWII’s Nazi Zombies mode supported two-player split-screen locally, and allowed combo co-op for up to four people.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (2018): Black Ops 4 embraced split-screen, allowing for two players in competitive multiplayer and up to four players in Zombies mode, both locally. However, split-screen was controversially removed from the Blackout battle royale mode.

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019): While Modern Warfare (2019) didn’t have a traditional Zombies mode, its Spec Ops missions did support two-player split-screen.

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (2020): Black Ops Cold War continued the split-screen tradition, supporting two players on consoles.

• Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021): Vanguard continued the trend of two-player split-screen on consoles.

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II (2022) & Modern Warfare III (2023): Unfortunately, split-screen support has been notably absent in the newer Modern Warfare titles, disappointing fans of local co-op.

The State of Split-Screen in Modern COD Games

The trend is clear: while split-screen was once a staple of Call of Duty Zombies, its prevalence has diminished in recent years. Many modern titles omit the feature entirely, or drastically limit its functionality. This is a significant loss for players who value the shared experience of local co-op gaming. This trend may be attributed to an increase in processing power required for new features, or an increasing focus on online-only play.

The Importance of Local Co-Op

Split-screen gaming isn’t just about convenience; it’s about shared experiences. The energy of playing alongside friends in the same room, the immediate communication, and the camaraderie of overcoming challenges together – these are elements that online play often struggles to replicate. Furthermore, local co-op offers an accessible gaming option for players without reliable internet connections or online subscriptions.

A Call for its Return

As game technology advances, we hope to see a resurgence of split-screen support in future Call of Duty titles. It remains a valuable feature for fostering social gaming, providing accessibility, and preserving the spirit of classic couch co-op. The joy of battling zombies side-by-side with friends and family is an experience worth preserving.

This article was written to help increase awareness in video games as a learning platform, specifically those with cooperative gameplay. This game design is an active area of research that is advanced by groups like the Games Learning Society. To find out more information, please visit GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify the intricacies of split-screen in Call of Duty Zombies:

1. Which Call of Duty Zombies game has the most robust split-screen support?

   Black Ops II and Black Ops III stand out, with the former offering four-player split-screen on all platforms, and the latter offering four-player split-screen locally.

2. Is split-screen available in all modes of Call of Duty games?

   No, split-screen support varies by game and mode. It’s most commonly found in Zombies and multiplayer, but less often in campaign modes (with the notable exception of Black Ops III).

3. Do all platforms (PC, PlayStation, Xbox) have the same split-screen capabilities?

   Typically, split-screen is a console-focused feature. PC versions of Call of Duty games rarely offer split-screen support. Within consoles, the capabilities are generally similar, but there can be some variations.

4. Does online split-screen have the same player limits as local split-screen?

   No. Online split-screen often has stricter player limits than local play. For example, a game might support four-player split-screen locally but only two-player split-screen online.

5. What is “combo co-op,” and which Call of Duty games support it?

   “Combo co-op” refers to a setup where players combine local split-screen with online play. For example, two players on one console might join two other players online. WWII is a title that supports combo co-op.

6. Why has split-screen support declined in recent Call of Duty games?

   There are several possible reasons, including the increased graphical demands of modern games, a shift towards online-focused gameplay, and a perceived decline in demand for local co-op.

7. Is a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live subscription required for online split-screen play?

   Generally, yes. At least one player on the console will typically need an active subscription to access online multiplayer features, including split-screen.

8. Can I use different accounts for each player in split-screen?

   Yes, most Call of Duty games allow each split-screen player to sign in with their own account. This allows for personalized progression and stats tracking.

9. Does split-screen impact the game’s performance?

   Yes, split-screen typically reduces the game’s frame rate and graphical fidelity, as the console needs to render the game multiple times simultaneously.

10. Are there any Call of Duty games with split-screen in the campaign mode?

    Black Ops III is a notable exception, as it allows two players to play through the campaign in split-screen, both locally and online.

11. Which Call of Duty Zombies game was the first to feature split-screen?

    Call of Duty: World at War introduced the feature to the Zombies mode.

12. Can I play split-screen in Call of Duty’s battle royale modes (like Warzone)?

    Historically, the split-screen feature has been removed in the battle royale modes.

13. Is there a performance difference between split-screen on older and newer consoles?

    Yes, newer consoles (like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S) generally offer better performance in split-screen due to their more powerful hardware.

14. Are there any fan communities dedicated to split-screen gaming in Call of Duty?

    Yes, numerous online communities and forums are dedicated to promoting and discussing split-screen gaming, including those specific to Call of Duty.

15. What is the best way to set up split-screen in Call of Duty?

    Typically, you’ll need to navigate to the game’s multiplayer or Zombies menu, select the “local” or “split-screen” option, and have the second player press a button to join. The exact steps may vary slightly depending on the game.