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Which Call of Duty supports 4 player split screen?

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Which Call of Duty Supports 4-Player Split-Screen?

The desire to gather friends around a single screen for some chaotic Call of Duty action is a strong one. While the franchise has evolved significantly over the years, the question of 4-player split-screen support remains a popular one. The short answer is: only select Call of Duty titles offer true 4-player split-screen, and it’s usually limited to specific modes and local play. Generally, most recent Call of Duty titles restrict split-screen to two players, especially in online modes. Let’s delve into the specifics to understand which games offer this sought-after feature.

The Evolution of Split-Screen in Call of Duty

The Call of Duty series has a long and varied history with split-screen functionality. Early titles often embraced the feature, allowing up to four players to share a screen. However, as online multiplayer became more prevalent and hardware capabilities evolved, the availability and implementation of split-screen changed considerably.

Early Adoption and Decline

In the early days of the franchise, games like Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 3, and Call of Duty: World at War often supported 4-player split-screen, primarily in local multiplayer modes. This facilitated the kind of couch co-op experience that many gamers remember fondly. As the series progressed, the complexity of game engines, the focus on online multiplayer, and the need to maintain consistent performance led to a decrease in widespread 4-player split-screen availability.

The Modern Era

In more recent Call of Duty titles, split-screen is typically limited to two players, especially in online modes. This change was often attributed to the demand on system resources to render multiple views simultaneously. However, some games have reintroduced 4-player split-screen, specifically in local play or in particular modes like Zombies.

Titles with 4-Player Split-Screen

The specific Call of Duty titles that offer 4-player split-screen are limited, but they exist. Here’s a breakdown:

Call of Duty: Black Ops 3

Black Ops III stands out for its relatively strong split-screen support. It allows for 2-player split-screen in Campaign mode both locally and online. Furthermore, it offers 4-player split-screen in Zombies mode locally and also up to four players online. This makes Black Ops III a great option for a group of friends looking for a shared experience on the same console. This 4-player support is exclusive to the Zombies mode locally.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 4

While Black Ops 4 limits competitive multiplayer to two-player split-screen, it does offer 4-player split-screen in its Zombies mode. It’s worth noting that all players require active PlayStation Network accounts, with at least one player needing PlayStation Plus for online functionality. This makes Black Ops 4 a decent option for players wanting 4-player couch co-op, as long as they are focusing on the zombies mode.

Specific Modes in Other Games

While most recent titles cap out at 2-player split screen, it’s important to check for specific modes that support 4 players. For example, the original Call of Duty: Black Ops only supported a maximum of 2 player split screen. However, the game had a Dead Ops Arcade mode that supported up to 4 players.

Important Limitations

It’s crucial to acknowledge several limitations of 4-player split-screen within the Call of Duty series:

  • Local Play Focus: 4-player split-screen is usually restricted to local play and rarely available in online multiplayer.
  • Mode-Specific: The feature is often limited to specific game modes, primarily Zombies or local multiplayer and may not be available in the main competitive online modes.
  • Performance Impact: Running split-screen, especially with more than two players, can impact the game’s overall performance and frame rate, particularly on older consoles.
  • Account Requirements: You will often need a multiplicity of user accounts on the console to run split screen, with some of these potentially requiring an online service subscription such as PlayStation Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about 4-player split-screen in Call of Duty, addressing various aspects and specific game titles:

  1. Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022) have 4-player split-screen? No, Modern Warfare 2 (2022) is limited to 2-player split-screen, even in local modes.

  2. Can you play 4-player split-screen on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019)? No, Modern Warfare (2019) does not support 4-player split-screen. It is limited to 2-player split-screen online.

  3. Does Call of Duty: Vanguard support 4-player split-screen? No, Call of Duty: Vanguard only offers 2-player split-screen. It does not support 3 or 4-player split-screen.

  4. Is Call of Duty: Warzone 4-player split-screen? No, Call of Duty: Warzone does not support split-screen at all.

  5. Can you play 4-player split-screen on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War? No, Black Ops Cold War is limited to 2-player split-screen. While the Zombies mode supports up to four players online or via LAN, split-screen is limited to two users.

  6. Does Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered have 4-player split-screen? No, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Remastered only supports 2-player split-screen online in multiplayer.

  7. Is 4-player split-screen available in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare? No, Infinite Warfare is limited to 2-player split-screen in local multiplayer and when joining online matches.

  8. Is 4-player split-screen available in Call of Duty World at War? No, Call of Duty World at War is limited to 2-player split screen in local play. Online play allowed for up to 4 players.

  9. Can you play 4-player split-screen in Call of Duty: WWII? No, Call of Duty: WWII is limited to 2-player split-screen in everything but the campaign. The campaign is not split-screen compatible.

  10. Can you do 4-player split screen on Black Ops 2 Zombies? Yes, Black Ops 2 Zombies supports 4-player split-screen locally.

  11. How do you set up split-screen on Call of Duty: Black Ops 3? You first need to connect and sign in the additional controllers to the console. Then, from the main menu, press the relevant button (such as “A” on Xbox or “X” on PlayStation) to connect additional split-screen players.

  12. Does Halo Infinite support 4-player split-screen? While not a Call of Duty title, yes, Halo Infinite supports split screen however it is not as robust as previous titles.

  13. Is Apex Legends split-screen? No, Apex Legends does not support split-screen on any of its compatible platforms.

  14. Can you play 4-player split-screen on all Call of Duty Zombie maps? No, not all Zombies maps support 4-player split screen. This depends on the specific Call of Duty title. For example, Call of Duty Black Ops 1 would only have 4 player local split-screen support in the Dead Ops Arcade mode.

  15. Does Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare have a 4-player split-screen? No, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare does not support 4-player split-screen. While it had coop play in the campaign, it is limited to a single screen and does not support 2+ player splitscreen.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the dream of a classic 4-player split-screen Call of Duty experience is not entirely dead, it’s limited in modern titles. Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 and Black Ops 4 offer the most robust 4-player split-screen options, specifically within the Zombies modes. Most other titles, especially recent entries, restrict split-screen to 2 players. For groups eager to share a screen, understanding these limitations and selecting the correct title is critical to avoid disappointment. Be sure to always check for specific game modes that may support split-screen when other modes do not.

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