How Many Players Can Play Cold War Zombies Split-Screen?
The simple answer is: two. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies mode supports two-player split-screen on consoles, and this is a strict limit. While the game offers a robust online co-op experience for up to four players, when it comes to playing side-by-side on the same screen, you’re limited to just two players. This applies to both online and local split-screen play. Unfortunately, there is no support for 3 or 4-player split-screen in Black Ops Cold War Zombies.
Understanding the Limits of Split-Screen in Cold War Zombies
Split-screen gaming is a long-standing tradition in the Call of Duty franchise, allowing friends to enjoy the action together on a single console. However, the implementation of split-screen often comes with limitations. Black Ops Cold War is no exception. While the option to play split-screen is great for enjoying co-op play locally, the maximum of two players on a single screen is a constraint. This applies across all Zombies maps and modes within the game.
The reason behind the limitation is often tied to technical performance. Rendering the game twice (or more) on the same console can strain the hardware. To ensure a smooth gameplay experience, developers often limit the number of split-screen players. In the case of Cold War, the developers opted for a stable two-player split-screen experience rather than attempt to support a more challenging 3 or 4-player setup that could compromise performance.
Split-Screen vs. Online Co-Op
It’s important to distinguish between split-screen and online co-op in Black Ops Cold War Zombies. While the former is limited to two players on a single console, online co-op allows up to four players to team up and take on the undead. This means that while you can’t have four players on one screen, you can still experience the full cooperative thrill of Zombies with a full squad via online connectivity.
To take advantage of online co-op, each player needs their own console and a subscription to their respective console’s online service (PlayStation Network or Xbox Live). This option delivers a more robust experience as the burden of performance is spread across multiple consoles.
How to Set Up Split-Screen in Cold War Zombies
Despite the two-player limitation, setting up split-screen in Cold War Zombies is relatively straightforward:
- Connect Additional Controllers: Ensure you have an additional controller connected to your console.
- Sign in Player Two: The second player needs to sign into their Xbox or PlayStation account, or as a guest.
- Access the Zombies Menu: Launch Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and select the Zombies mode.
- Activate Split-Screen: Once you’re at the Zombies menu, the second player should press the required button (usually the “A” button on Xbox or the “X” button on PlayStation) to activate split-screen.
The screen will then be split, with each player having their designated view. Keep in mind that with split-screen, the screen is divided into two smaller parts, which might affect visibility and require some getting used to.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To provide additional clarity, here are 15 frequently asked questions about split-screen in Cold War Zombies:
1. Can you play 3 player split screen on Cold War Zombies?
No, Cold War Zombies does not support 3-player split screen. You are limited to two players when playing on the same console.
2. Is 4 player split screen available in Cold War Zombies?
Unfortunately, 4-player split-screen is not available in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies. Only 2 players can play together on the same screen.
3. Can you play Cold War Zombies split-screen online?
Yes, you can play split-screen online, but it still adheres to the two-player limit. This means you and a friend can play online on one console, while up to two other players can join the game from other consoles.
4. Does Cold War Zombies support local multiplayer beyond split-screen?
While you can play local multiplayer, it’s still restricted to a maximum of two players locally via split-screen. There is no local multiplayer for more than two players within Black Ops Cold War Zombies.
5. Does split-screen affect the game’s performance?
Yes, playing split-screen can impact the game’s performance. The framerate might drop slightly, and the load times might be a bit longer. This is due to the console rendering two separate viewpoints simultaneously. However, the developers have aimed to make the split-screen experience stable.
6. Can you play every Zombies map in split-screen?
Yes, all Zombies maps are compatible with split-screen. Whether you are battling the hordes in Die Maschine, Firebase Z, or Forsaken, you can play them all in split-screen.
7. Do both split-screen players need their own PlayStation Network or Xbox Live accounts?
Yes, for online split-screen play, both players will need their own PlayStation Network or Xbox Live accounts. If playing locally without an internet connection, a guest account for the second player will suffice.
8. Can split-screen players play against online players?
Yes, split-screen players can team up and play against or with other online players. The total lobby size remains at four, meaning a split-screen duo can pair with another pair or two solo players to fill the lobby.
9. Is split-screen available on all consoles?
Split-screen is available on consoles, including PlayStation and Xbox. However, PC versions of Call of Duty usually do not offer split-screen.
10. Can you play other modes split-screen in Cold War besides Zombies?
Yes, split-screen is available in other modes as well, like multiplayer and campaign. These modes also have a two-player split-screen limit.
11. Is split-screen easier to set up than online co-op?
Setting up split-screen is often easier and quicker because you don’t need multiple consoles and online connections. However, you are still limited to a two-player maximum.
12. Does playing split-screen affect the difficulty of Zombies mode?
The difficulty of Zombies mode remains the same, regardless of whether you play in split-screen or not. The number of zombies scales based on the number of players, but it is not directly altered by the split-screen function itself.
13. Can you play split-screen with two controllers on the same console?
Yes, split-screen requires two controllers connected to the same console. The second controller needs to be signed into a profile or a guest account.
14. Are there any benefits to playing split-screen?
Playing split-screen allows you to enjoy Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies with a friend locally, without needing additional consoles or online subscriptions for local play. It is a good way to share the experience on a single device.
15. Is 2-player split screen a common feature in Call of Duty Games?
Yes, two-player split screen is a common feature in many Call of Duty games, particularly those in the Black Ops series, providing local co-op play for consoles. However, 3 or 4-player split-screen, in local or online play, is less common or is not available at all.
In conclusion, while Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies does not offer 3 or 4-player split-screen, the available two-player split-screen feature is still a fun way for players to jump into the action together. Remember to plan accordingly if you wish to play with more friends; you’ll need to coordinate an online co-op session with everyone having their own console and subscription.