How to Play Black Ops 3 Zombies Split Screen: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to team up with friends and take on the undead hordes in Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies? The good news is, you absolutely can enjoy this iconic mode with up to four players locally through split-screen! This feature allows you to experience the thrill of zombie slaying side-by-side with your buddies on the same console. Here’s a detailed guide on how to get started with Black Ops 3 Zombies split screen:

Getting Started with Split-Screen Zombies

The process is slightly different depending on whether you are playing online or offline, so let’s break it down:

Offline Split-Screen

For offline split-screen, the setup is relatively straightforward:

1. Connect your controllers: Ensure all your controllers are connected to your console (PlayStation or Xbox).
2. Sign in to profiles: Each player needs to be signed into their own respective profile on the console. Guest accounts will work for additional players.
3. Launch Black Ops 3: Start the game.
4. Navigate to Zombies Mode: From the main menu, select the “Zombies” option.
5. Activate Split-Screen: Once you are in the Zombies menu, player one should see an option for “Activate Splitscreen” or a similar prompt under their player name. It is usually a button press (X on PlayStation, A on Xbox) on the first controller to activate split-screen.
6. Player 2 Joins: The second player (and subsequent players) now needs to press the appropriate button (A or X) to join the lobby. This might require pressing the button multiple times.
7. Confirm and Play: Once all players have joined, you can select the map and start your zombie adventure!

Online Split-Screen

Playing online split-screen in Black Ops 3 Zombies requires a few extra steps, particularly on modern consoles. This is how to do it:

1. Connect and Sign In: Before starting the game, connect all desired controllers to your console and sign each one into its respective PlayStation Network or Xbox Live account. You can use guest accounts as well.
2. Launch Black Ops 3: Start the game as normal.
3. Navigate to Zombies: Go to the main menu and select the “Zombies” option.
4. First Player Connects: The first player must be in the main zombies menu.
5. Second Player Connects: On the second (or subsequent) controller, press the action button (X on PlayStation, A on Xbox) once to connect the profile to the game and press it again to attach the split-screen profile to your current lobby.
6. Confirm and Play: You should now be able to select a map, difficulty and begin your online match.

Important Notes for Split-Screen

• Shared Classes: In split-screen, Player 2 (and subsequent players) will generally have the same loadouts as Player 1. Changes made by Player 2 usually don’t affect Player 1’s selections.
• Controller Settings: If you encounter issues with split-screen, navigate to the controller settings in the game menu. Experiment with the split-screen options to see if this fixes the problem. Sometimes this can be found under options, controller, gamepad and the splitscreen setting is usually at the bottom.
• Game Updates: Ensure your game is updated to the latest version, as some bugs related to split-screen may be fixed in patches.
• System Stability: Split-screen may push older consoles to their limits, so ensure your console is well-ventilated and try closing other applications before launching the game.
• Simultaneous Button Pressing: There are instances where, especially in offline mode, pressing the action button multiple times will bring the second player in. If this doesn’t work, try selecting zombies, and having both players press the button at the same time.
• Offline Multiplayer: There is a method of playing offline multiplayer if you want to use this mode but, it does require some manual manipulation of the game files. This is not recommended as it may be flagged as a modification.
• Troubleshooting: If all else fails, try restarting your console and your game. Checking that the controllers are fully charged and synced is also recommended.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some common questions about playing Black Ops 3 Zombies in split-screen:

1. How many players can play split-screen zombies in Black Ops 3?

You can play Black Ops 3 Zombies with up to four players locally in split-screen mode on consoles.

2. Can I play Black Ops 3 zombies split-screen online?

Yes, you can play Black Ops 3 Zombies in split-screen both online and offline.

3. Do all players need a PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online split-screen?

Generally, only one player needs the online subscription to play Black Ops 3 Zombies in online split-screen mode.

4. Why can’t I connect the second controller in split-screen mode?

Double-check that all controllers are correctly connected and synced. Also, make sure each controller is signed into a profile (even guest accounts) before launching the game. Try pressing the “X” (PlayStation) or “A” (Xbox) button multiple times to register the second player.

5. Why are player two’s classes the same as player one?

In split-screen mode, all additional players will often start with the same class as Player 1. Changes to Player 2’s class will not affect player 1. This is by design.

6. Is the campaign in Black Ops 3 split screen?

Yes, the campaign in Black Ops 3 can be played in 2-player split-screen both locally and online.

7. Can I play Black Ops 3 offline multiplayer?

Black Ops 3 does not officially support offline multiplayer, though some players have found workarounds by manipulating files. However, this is generally not recommended as it could potentially lead to issues with your account.

8. How do I change the split-screen orientation?

The split-screen orientation is fixed horizontally in Black Ops 3. There are no settings to change this.

9. What if split screen is still not working?

If you’re encountering persistent issues, try checking the gamepad settings in Black Ops 3’s options menu. Experiment with different configurations to see if this resolves the problem. Restarting the game and your console can often help as well. Make sure that all controllers have working batteries and/or are plugged in to the console.

10. Will using a guest account affect my game progress in split-screen?

Using a guest account will not affect the primary player’s progress. Guest accounts don’t retain game progression or settings changes.

11. Is there a difference between split screen on different consoles?

Generally, the split-screen experience is similar across both PlayStation and Xbox consoles. However, older hardware might have more performance limitations.

12. Can I use a headset with split-screen?

Yes, you can use headsets while playing split-screen, however there may be limitations if you are using a single audio source. Headsets can generally be connected to the controller that the player is using, provided there is an input.

13. Why is the game lagging in split-screen?

Split-screen gameplay can be more demanding on the console. If you experience lag, ensure your console is well-ventilated, try to close background applications, and lower the graphics settings if possible.

14. Is the split-screen feature available on PC?

The split-screen feature is typically only available on console versions of the game, not on PC.

15. Can you play 3-player split screen on other COD titles?

While some call of duty games allow split screen, most only support a maximum of 2 player split screen, some however, like Black Ops 3 support 4-player split-screen in Zombies Mode.

By following this guide and FAQ, you should be ready to enjoy endless hours of zombie slaying fun with your friends in Black Ops 3 split-screen. Happy gaming!