Calling all PS4 gamers! Ever wanted to team up with a friend on the same couch and dominate the battlefields of Call of Duty: Vanguard? You're in luck! While the campaign mode is a solo affair, Call of Duty: Vanguard does offer split-screen multiplayer, allowing you and a buddy to dive into the action side-by-side. Forget about needing two separate consoles or subscriptions for a local session; with a few simple steps, you'll be fragging together in no time.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to set up and enjoy 2-player split-screen on Call of Duty: Vanguard on your PS4. Let's get started!
Step 1: Gather Your Arsenal (and Your Buddy!)
Before you can unleash your combined might on the virtual battlefield, you need to make sure you have the essentials.
- Your PlayStation 4 Console: The star of the show!
- Call of Duty: Vanguard Game: Obviously! Make sure it's fully installed and updated to the latest version for the best experience.
- Two PS4 DualShock 4 Controllers: One for you, and one for your co-op partner. Ensure both controllers are charged or plugged in. There's nothing worse than a controller dying mid-match!
- A Friend (or Family Member!): The most important ingredient for a 2-player experience!
Engage the user: Got all that ready? Great! Let's move on to getting those controllers connected and accounts set up.
Step 2: Connecting the Second Controller and Logging In
This is where you bring your second player into the game.
Sub-heading: Powering Up and Syncing
-
Turn on your PS4: If it's not already on, power up your PlayStation 4 console.
-
Connect your primary controller: Ensure your first DualShock 4 controller is connected and you're logged into your main PlayStation Network (PSN) account. This will be Player 1.
-
Activate the second controller: Take your second DualShock 4 controller. Press the PlayStation button (the one with the PS logo in the middle) on it.
-
Sync the controller (if needed): If this is the first time connecting this controller to your PS4, you might need to sync it. The easiest way is to connect it to the PS4 with a USB cable. Once connected, press the PS button, and it should prompt you to select a user.
-
Log in as a second user:
- Existing PSN Account: If your friend has their own PSN account on your PS4, select their existing profile.
- Guest Account: If your friend doesn't have a PSN account or you just want to play a quick local game, you can usually select "New User" and then "Play as a Guest." This will create a temporary guest profile for the session.
Pro-tip: Having a separate PSN account for each player often allows for better tracking of stats and unlocks, but a guest account works perfectly for local play.
Step 3: Launching Call of Duty: Vanguard and Entering Multiplayer
Now that both players are logged in, it's time to get into the game!
- Start Call of Duty: Vanguard: From the PS4 home screen, launch the Call of Duty: Vanguard application.
- Navigate to the Main Menu: Once the game loads, you'll be at the main menu.
- Select "Multiplayer": This is crucial. The Campaign mode does not support split-screen, and while Zombies was added later for split-screen, it has been known to be very buggy and problematic for many players. For a reliable two-player experience, Multiplayer is your best bet.
Step 4: Activating Split-Screen in Multiplayer
This is the moment of truth where you enable the two-player magic!
- From the Multiplayer Lobby: Once you're in the Multiplayer menu, you'll see your primary player's character and options.
- Look for the "Join" Prompt: On the screen, typically in the top corner or at the bottom, you'll see a prompt for the second player to join. On PlayStation, this usually involves pressing the Triangle (△) button or the X (Cross) button on the second controller.
- Second Player Joins: Have your second player press the indicated button on their controller. You should then see their character appear in the lobby alongside yours.
- Confirmation: You'll usually see a message confirming that "Player 2 has joined the lobby" or similar.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Game Mode (Local vs. Online)
At this point, you have a choice:
- Local Play (Highly Recommended for Smoothness): If you want to play without an internet connection or PlayStation Plus, select a "Private Match" or "Local Game" option within the Multiplayer menu. This allows you to set up custom games with bots on various maps and modes. This is often the smoothest and most reliable way to play split-screen on Vanguard.
- Online Play (Requires PlayStation Plus for Both Accounts): If both players have active PlayStation Plus subscriptions and want to play with others online, you can select any of the online multiplayer modes. Be aware that split-screen online can sometimes experience performance dips compared to single-player or local play due to the increased processing demands.
Step 5: Customizing Your Experience and Diving In!
You're almost there!
- Adjust Settings (Optional but Recommended): Before jumping into a match, consider heading into the game's settings.
- Graphics: For split-screen, it's often a good idea to lower the Field of View (FOV) slightly if you experience performance issues. While a higher FOV shows more, it also requires more processing power, and split-screen already divides that.
- Controls: Each player can customize their individual controller settings.
- Select Your Map and Mode: If playing a local game, choose your preferred map and game mode (e.g., Team Deathmatch, Domination, Free-For-All). You can often add AI bots to fill out the teams for more intense action!
- Start the Match: Once everything is set, the primary player can start the game!
Congratulations! You are now enjoying 2-player split-screen Call of Duty: Vanguard on your PS4! Prepare for some intense couch co-op action!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related "How to" questions with quick answers to help you troubleshoot or enhance your Call of Duty: Vanguard split-screen experience on PS4:
How to connect a second controller to my PS4 if it's not syncing?
- Quick Answer: Connect the controller to your PS4 with a USB cable, then press the PlayStation button. If it still doesn't sync, try a different USB cable or reset the controller by pressing the small button in a tiny hole on the back with a paperclip.
How to add a guest account on PS4 for local multiplayer?
- Quick Answer: When the second controller is powered on and prompts you to select a user, choose "New User" and then "Play as a Guest."
How to know if my PS4 controller is charged?
- Quick Answer: While charging, the light bar on the controller will glow yellow. When fully charged, it will typically turn off or show the color assigned to its player number (Player 1 is blue, Player 2 is red, etc.).
How to play Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies in split-screen?
- Quick Answer: While Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies did receive a split-screen update post-launch, it is widely reported to be very buggy and unstable. The process is similar to multiplayer (join from the Zombies lobby), but be prepared for potential issues.
How to play Call of Duty: Vanguard campaign in split-screen?
- Quick Answer: You cannot. The campaign mode in Call of Duty: Vanguard is strictly a single-player experience and does not support co-op or split-screen.
How to get better performance in Call of Duty: Vanguard split-screen on PS4?
- Quick Answer: Play local matches (private games) instead of online. Consider reducing your in-game Field of View (FOV) if the option is available, as this can help with frame rates. Ensure your PS4 has good ventilation.
How to ensure both players can use all weapons and attachments in local split-screen?
- Quick Answer: In local private matches, all weapons and attachments are typically unlocked and available for both players to use, regardless of their online progression.
How to adjust individual player settings in split-screen?
- Quick Answer: Once both players are in the multiplayer lobby, each player should be able to access the settings menu independently (usually by pressing Options on their respective controllers) to customize their controls, sensitivity, and other preferences.
How to deal with split-screen issues like visual glitches or lag?
- Quick Answer: Ensure your game is fully updated. Try restarting your PS4. If playing online, ensure you have a stable and strong internet connection. For persistent issues, remember that Vanguard's split-screen implementation wasn't perfect, especially for Zombies.
How to switch between horizontal and vertical split-screen?
- Quick Answer: Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Vanguard on PS4 typically defaults to horizontal split-screen (top/bottom) and does not offer an option to change it to vertical split-screen.
