So, you and a friend want to team up and dominate the multiplayer battlefield in Call of Duty: Vanguard on your Xbox, side-by-side? That's a classic gaming experience, and thankfully, Vanguard has you covered! While the game has its quirks, getting split-screen set up for multiplayer is a straightforward process.
Let's dive into the detailed, step-by-step guide to get you and your buddy into the action.
Step 1: Get Your Gear Ready!
First things first, let's make sure you have everything you need. You've got your Xbox console, a copy of Call of Duty: Vanguard, and a TV. But do you have two controllers? This is the absolute most important requirement. You also need two separate Xbox accounts. A guest account can be used for local play, but for online multiplayer, both accounts will need an Xbox Game Pass Core, Standard, or Ultimate subscription to play online. So, check your subscriptions and make sure you're both ready to go!
You need:
An Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S console.
Call of Duty: Vanguard installed and updated.
Two Xbox controllers.
Two separate Xbox Live/Microsoft accounts.
An active Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate subscription for both accounts if you want to play online.
Step 2: Launch the Game and Get to the Menu
This step is easy. With your primary controller, launch Call of Duty: Vanguard. You'll be taken to the main menu. If you're a seasoned player, you'll know this menu by heart, with options for Campaign, Multiplayer, and Zombies.
Step 3: Connect the Second Player
Now for the magic! This is where the couch co-op experience truly begins.
Sub-heading: Joining the Lobby
Turn on your second controller. If it's a wireless controller, just press the Xbox button to power it on.
Once it's on, press the Xbox button on the second controller to bring up the Xbox Guide.
Navigate to the 'Add or switch' option for your profile.
Here, you'll need to sign in with the second player's Xbox account. If they have a separate profile on your console, select it. If not, you can create a new profile or use the "Add guest" option for local multiplayer.
After the second player is signed in, a prompt should appear on the top-right corner of the screen in the Vanguard main menu. It will say something like, "Press A to join split-screen."
Have the second player press the 'A' button on their controller to join the lobby.
You should now see both player profiles on the screen, indicating that you're ready to proceed to the next step.
Step 4: Choose Your Game Mode
Now that you're both in the lobby, it's time to choose what you want to play.
Sub-heading: Multiplayer is Your Best Bet
Call of Duty: Vanguard offers split-screen functionality primarily in its Multiplayer mode. The Campaign and Zombies modes do not support split-screen.
From the main menu, use the primary controller (Player 1) to navigate to the Multiplayer section.
Select the desired multiplayer mode. You can play a variety of modes in split-screen, including:
Team Deathmatch
Domination
Kill Confirmed
Hardpoint
And more!
Step 5: Start the Match and Dominate!
With your game mode selected, the primary player can now search for a match.
Press the button to start searching for a game.
The game will find a lobby and load you into the map.
Once the game starts, your screen will automatically split in half, with one player on the top and the other on the bottom. This is the default horizontal split-screen. As of the game's current state, there is no in-game option to switch to a vertical split.
Congratulations! You are now playing split-screen in Call of Duty: Vanguard on your Xbox. Work together with your teammate to achieve victory!
Pro-Tip: Go into the Graphics settings before starting a match and adjust the Field of View (FoV). Increasing the FoV to a higher value, like 120, can make the split-screen experience feel less cramped and allow you to see more of the battlefield. It's a small change that can make a big difference!
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to play split-screen locally on Vanguard?
To play locally, simply follow the steps above, and when you are prompted to sign in with the second controller, you can use the "Add guest" option if the second player doesn't have an Xbox account. You can then play against bots in local matches.
How to fix split-screen not working on Vanguard Xbox?
First, ensure both controllers are connected and signed into separate Xbox profiles. Make sure the game is fully updated. If you are trying to play online, check that both profiles have an active Xbox Game Pass Core/Ultimate subscription. If the issue persists, try restarting the game and your console.
How to play split-screen in Vanguard Zombies?
Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies does not support split-screen co-op. This mode is strictly for online play. You will need to play with friends online instead of on the same console.
How to play split-screen in Vanguard Campaign mode?
The single-player Campaign in Call of Duty: Vanguard is a solo experience and does not support split-screen play.
How to play split-screen with an Activision account?
When the second player signs in with their Xbox profile, if that profile is linked to an Activision account, their progress and unlocks will carry over. You don't need to do anything extra. Just ensure the Xbox profile is linked to the Activision ID.
How to change the split-screen orientation to vertical?
As of now, there is no in-game option in Call of Duty: Vanguard to change the split-screen orientation from horizontal (top and bottom) to vertical (side-by-side).
How to add a guest account for split-screen?
After turning on the second controller, press the Xbox button and select "Add or switch." Then, choose the "Add guest" option. This will create a temporary profile for the guest to play in local games.
How to play split-screen online in Vanguard?
To play online, both players must be signed into an Xbox account that has an active Xbox Game Pass Core or Ultimate subscription. Once both players are in the lobby, the host can find an online match and both players will be brought into the game together.
How to make the split-screen bigger in Vanguard?
While you can't change the size of the split-screen window itself, you can increase your Field of View (FoV) in the Graphics settings. This will make the game world appear wider on your screen, which can feel less constricting in split-screen.
How to get two controllers to work on the Xbox Series X?
Turn on both controllers by pressing the Xbox button. Sign each controller into a separate Xbox profile. The console should recognize both controllers simultaneously, allowing you to use them for split-screen gaming.
