Hey there, zombie slayers! Are you ready to team up with a friend and take on the hordes of the undead in Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies? We all know that facing the Dark Aether can be a lot more fun and strategic when you've got a buddy watching your back. So, let's get you set up for some co-op action!
Here is a very important thing to know before we dive in: Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies does NOT officially support local split-screen co-op.
Yes, you read that right. While the game's multiplayer mode does have split-screen functionality on consoles, the Zombies mode unfortunately does not. This has been a source of disappointment for many players since the game's launch. In fact, some users have reported that the option was briefly available and then removed in a later update, with the game crashing when a second player tried to join.
So, while we can't provide a step-by-step guide on how to activate a feature that isn't officially supported, we can explain the situation and give you the steps for playing split-screen in other modes and what to do if you encounter issues.
The Reality of Split-Screen in Vanguard
Here's the breakdown of split-screen support in Call of Duty: Vanguard:
Multiplayer: Supported on PlayStation and Xbox consoles (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S).
Campaign: No co-op or split-screen support.
Zombies: NOT supported. This applies to all platforms, including consoles and PC.
This means that if you want to play Zombies with a friend, you will both need to be on separate consoles or PCs and play together online. You cannot play on the same console with two controllers.
A Guide to Split-Screen Multiplayer (as a reference)
While you can't do it in Zombies, let's look at the steps for how it would work in multiplayer, just so you know the process for other modes. This is the official and supported method for playing with a friend on the same console.
Step 1: Get Your Gear Ready and Engage!
First things first, let's get you all set up. Do you have a second controller ready to go? Make sure both controllers are connected to your console and charged. This is the foundation of your co-op experience. Now, turn on your console and launch Call of Duty: Vanguard.
Ready? Let's go!
Step 2: Navigate to the Multiplayer Menu
Once the game loads and you're at the main menu, you need to go to the Multiplayer section.
On your main controller (Player 1), select "Multiplayer."
You'll see a prompt on the top or bottom of the screen that says something like, "Press X (PlayStation) or A (Xbox) to Join Split-Screen." This is your cue!
Step 3: Connect the Second Player
This is the crucial part. Grab the second controller and follow these sub-steps:
Log in with a different account: The second player must be signed into a separate PSN or Xbox Live account. Guest accounts are not supported in recent Call of Duty titles.
Press the join button: Once the second player is logged in on their controller, they need to press the designated button (X or A) to join the party.
Wait for the connection: The game will now connect the second player to your party. You should see both player names in the lobby.
Step 4: Adjust Your Settings for Optimal Experience
Now that you're both in the lobby, it's time to fine-tune your settings for a better split-screen experience.
Adjust the Field of View (FOV): Split-screen divides your screen, which can feel a bit cramped. Go to the Settings menu from the lobby, navigate to the Graphics tab, and find the Field of View slider. The default is often 80, but you can increase it to a much more comfortable 100 or even 120. This will give you a wider view of the battlefield and make a huge difference.
Check other settings: Since you can't change many settings mid-game, make sure your controller sensitivity, audio, and other preferences are set before you start a match.
Step 5: Start the Match and Dominate!
With both players in the lobby and your settings optimized, you're ready to play!
Choose a game mode: Select from the available multiplayer modes.
Start matchmaking: Player 1 can now start the match.
Enjoy the game! You'll see the screen split horizontally, with one player on top and the other on the bottom.
Why Does Zombies Not Support Split-Screen?
The exact reason for this is not officially stated by the developers, Treyarch. However, based on user reports and the history of Call of Duty games, here are a few potential reasons:
Technical limitations: The "Der Anfang" Zombies mode is a unique, round-based open-world experience with a lot of on-screen action, a large map, and multiple objectives. Rendering this complex environment and the hordes of zombies twice on the same console could put a significant strain on the hardware, leading to performance issues like lag, frame rate drops, or even crashes.
Design choice: It's possible that the developers simply chose to focus on the online co-op experience and didn't prioritize local split-screen for this particular mode. This is a recurring trend in modern gaming, where online multiplayer takes precedence over local co-op.
Bugs and glitches: As mentioned, some users have reported that the feature was briefly available and then removed due to crashes. It's possible that a bug made it unplayable, and instead of fixing it, the developers chose to remove the feature entirely.
10 Related FAQs
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard split-screen online?
You can play Call of Duty Vanguard split-screen online in Multiplayer mode by having both players signed into online accounts (PS+ or Xbox Live Gold required) on two controllers and then having the second player join the party from the main menu.
How to enable split-screen in Call of Duty Vanguard Multiplayer?
To enable split-screen in Multiplayer, simply connect a second controller, have the second player log in to a different account, and press the join button (X or A) when prompted on the main multiplayer screen.
How to play local split-screen in Call of Duty Vanguard?
For local split-screen, follow the same steps as online multiplayer, but you do not need an internet connection or online subscription to play local custom matches with bots.
How to fix Call of Duty Vanguard Zombies split-screen not working?
Unfortunately, there is no fix, as split-screen is not a supported feature for Call of Duty Vanguard Zombies. The game is designed for online co-op only in this mode.
How to change the split-screen orientation in Vanguard?
The split-screen orientation in Call of Duty Vanguard is fixed to horizontal (one player on top, one on the bottom) on consoles and cannot be changed to a vertical split.
How to make the screen bigger in Call of Duty Vanguard split-screen?
You can make the screen feel bigger by adjusting the Field of View (FOV) in the Graphics settings. Increasing the FOV from the default 80 to 100 or 120 will give you a wider view.
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard split-screen on PC?
PC players are out of luck, as Call of Duty Vanguard does not support split-screen on PC for any game mode, including Multiplayer.
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard Zombies with a friend?
To play Zombies with a friend, you both need to be on separate consoles or PCs and join each other's party online.
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard Campaign co-op?
The Call of Duty Vanguard campaign is a single-player experience and does not support any form of co-op or split-screen.
How to play split-screen with guest accounts in Vanguard?
You cannot play with guest accounts in modern Call of Duty games, including Vanguard. Each player needs to be logged into their own PSN or Xbox Live account with an associated Activision account.
