Can You Play COD Cold War Split-Screen? A Detailed Guide
Yes, you absolutely can play Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War in split-screen mode, but with some important caveats. The split-screen feature is primarily designed for console players, specifically those on PlayStation and Xbox platforms. This functionality allows two players to share a single screen, enabling local cooperative gameplay without needing separate consoles or online subscriptions for two separate accounts. This makes it perfect for playing with friends or family members in the same room, offering a nostalgic return to classic couch co-op experiences. However, the specific implementation and limitations of split-screen in Cold War warrant further exploration, which we will delve into below.
Split-Screen Functionality and Limitations
Console-Exclusive Feature
It’s critical to emphasize that split-screen is not available on PC for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. This limits the feature to those using PlayStation and Xbox consoles. When you initiate a split-screen session, the game will divide the screen into two, each displaying the perspective of one player. This enables both players to participate in multiplayer matches, including Zombies mode, from the same console and television set.
Number of Players Supported
Black Ops Cold War only supports two-player split-screen. Despite many past Call of Duty titles offering four-player split-screen in local multiplayer, Cold War unfortunately limits the feature to two players per console. This means that if you have more than two people wanting to play on the same console, you will need additional setups and consoles. While the absence of three and four-player split-screen might be disappointing for some, the two-player mode still allows for intimate and fun cooperative play.
Online vs. Local Play
The split-screen mode in Black Ops Cold War can be used for both offline local play and online multiplayer sessions. However, when engaging in online play, you should be aware of certain requirements. Playing split-screen locally (offline) requires no additional subscriptions, but playing online in split-screen will require both players to have a valid Xbox Live Gold or PlayStation Network Plus subscription. This is a standard requirement for playing any online multiplayer game on these consoles and applies to any split-screen player who wishes to engage in online matches.
Setting Up Split-Screen
Getting started with split-screen in Cold War isn’t always intuitive. Unlike older Call of Duty titles, it is not an automatic process. Here’s how to get started:
- Ensure you have two controllers connected to your console.
- Start Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
- Go to the multiplayer or zombies section.
- For the second player to join, the second controller will have to press the designated “View” or Menu button on the controller. This will prompt the second player to choose a profile, usually an existing Xbox or PS profile.
- Once the second player has joined the game, you’re ready to start playing.
Performance and Quality Considerations
While the split-screen is a great addition, it is important to note there can be performance impacts when playing on older generation consoles. Players have frequently reported issues with frame rate drops, reduced visual quality, and potential lag. These issues can impact the overall experience and are more prevalent on base versions of the consoles compared to the more powerful “Pro” or newer-gen versions. The more demanding aspects of Cold War can stress older hardware when having to render two instances of the game at once, so bear that in mind.
Split-Screen Quality
It’s not uncommon to hear players commenting about the quality of the split-screen experience in Cold War, with many complaining that it is inferior to the split-screen implementations in other Call of Duty games. This is a major complaint, with users noting its “unplayable garbage” state, and issues with it working reliably to begin with. These criticisms should be taken into account when deciding to engage in the split-screen, as it is clearly not a seamless experience for many.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I play split-screen in Cold War Zombies mode?
Yes, you can absolutely play in split-screen in Zombies mode. The setup is exactly the same as the multiplayer mode; both players simply join the lobby from the “View” or menu button on the second controller.
2. Does split-screen in Cold War support four players?
No, Cold War split-screen is limited to two players per console. This is regardless of the game mode (Multiplayer or Zombies). There are no options for three or four-player split-screen gameplay.
3. Do both players need an online subscription to play split-screen online?
Yes, if you’re playing online in split-screen on PlayStation or Xbox, both players will require their own active PlayStation Network Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscriptions.
4. Is split-screen available on PC for Cold War?
Unfortunately, split-screen is not supported on the PC version of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The feature is exclusive to console platforms.
5. How do I add a second player in split-screen?
For the second player to join, the second player presses the designated “View” or Menu button on the second controller while the game is loaded, which prompts the second player to choose an account to sign in with.
6. Does split-screen affect performance in Cold War?
Yes, using split-screen can often cause noticeable performance impacts, including frame rate drops, reduced visual quality and sometimes lag, especially on older console models.
7. Is Cold War split-screen as good as in other Call of Duty titles?
No, there are frequent criticisms regarding the quality of the Cold War split-screen mode, with many players considering it to be below standard.
8. Which Call of Duty games have had 4 player split-screen support?
Call of Duty: Black Ops III supported four-player split-screen in local play for multiplayer mode. Most other titles are limited to two players.
9. Can I play split-screen in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2?
Yes, Modern Warfare 2 (2022) does have a split-screen mode, but it’s limited to two players in private multiplayer matches.
10. What about split-screen in Call of Duty Warzone?
Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Warzone does not support split-screen. You can not play with multiple players on a single console or PC instance.
11. Does Call of Duty Modern Warfare (2019) have split-screen?
Yes, Call of Duty Modern Warfare (2019) includes split-screen functionality for local multiplayer matches.
12. Is split-screen available in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III beta?
No, the beta for Modern Warfare III (2023) did not have split-screen. However, the full release will likely include it.
13. Is the split-screen feature reliable in Cold War?
Many players report reliability issues with the Cold War split-screen, with issues ranging from setup problems to poor gameplay performance, meaning that it is not the most reliable split-screen mode out there.
14. Can I use split-screen in co-op campaign modes?
No, split screen is not available for the main campaign in the majority of Call of Duty games. Split-screen is generally limited to the game’s multiplayer and Zombies modes.
15. Does split-screen require a high refresh rate monitor?
While high refresh rate monitors can enhance your gaming experience, they aren’t a specific requirement for the split-screen mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It will function on standard TVs as well.
In conclusion, while Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War provides a split-screen option, it’s important to be aware of its limitations and potential drawbacks. If you are looking for a simple co-op mode with a friend, playing locally or online, then the split-screen mode in Cold War will allow you to do this. However, expect to be limited to two players, with potentially reduced visual fidelity and performance, and remember that you will need appropriate online subscriptions for split-screen online play.