Ah, the classic couch co-op experience! There's nothing quite like battling hordes of the undead with a friend right beside you. If you're looking to dive into the chaotic world of Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies with a buddy, let's get you set up.
How to Play Two Players on Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies: A Comprehensive Guide
First things first, let's address the elephant in the room. Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies has had a bit of a rocky history with split-screen functionality, particularly for the Zombies mode. While multiplayer generally supports it well on consoles, Zombies split-screen was added post-launch and has been known to be quite buggy for many players, with some even reporting it stopped working after certain updates.
Important Note for PC Players: Unfortunately, Call of Duty: Vanguard does not support split-screen on PC for any mode, including Zombies. This guide is primarily for console players (PlayStation and Xbox).
If you're on a console (PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S) and you're still keen to give it a shot, here's the step-by-step process. Keep in mind that due to the known issues, your mileage may vary.
Step 1: Gather Your Arsenal (and Your Buddy!)
Before we even touch the game, let's make sure you have everything you need. Are you ready to face the zombie apocalypse together?
- Two Controllers: This might seem obvious, but you'll need two fully functional controllers for your console. Make sure they're charged or have fresh batteries.
- Call of Duty: Vanguard Game: Of course, you'll need the game itself!
- Your Console: PlayStation (PS4 or PS5) or Xbox (Xbox One or Xbox Series X|S).
- Two Player Accounts: Each player will need their own account on the console.
- For online play, both accounts will need an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription.
- For local play, you can often use a "Guest" account for the second player if they don't have their own profile, but having separate accounts is generally smoother.
- A Willing Co-Op Partner: The most crucial element! Grab your friend, sibling, or significant other and get ready for some undead action.
Step 2: Boot Up and Log In
Now, let's get into the game.
- Launch Call of Duty: Vanguard: Start the game from your console's dashboard.
- Player 1 Logs In: Ensure the first player is signed into their PlayStation Network or Xbox Live account. This will be the "host" of the game.
Step 3: Navigate to the Multiplayer/Zombies Menu
Once the game loads and you're at the main menu:
- Select Multiplayer (Initially): Even though you want to play Zombies, sometimes initiating split-screen through the Multiplayer menu is a more reliable first step.
- Why multiplayer first? Historically, Vanguard's split-screen setup has been more consistent in the Multiplayer lobby, and then you can sometimes transition to Zombies.
- Press the Designated Button for Local Game:
- On PlayStation: Press the Triangle (△) button.
- On Xbox: Press the Y button.
- This action is usually how you initiate a local split-screen session. You might see an option like "Create Local Game" or "Add Player."
Step 4: Add Your Second Player
This is where your co-op partner comes in.
- Turn on the Second Controller: Have your second player turn on their controller.
- Sign In: They will be prompted to sign into their own PlayStation Network or Xbox Live account. If they don't have one, they may have the option to sign in as a Guest.
- If playing locally, a guest account should suffice.
- If attempting online split-screen, both accounts must be signed in with active online subscriptions.
- Press to Join: Once the second controller is active and signed in, the game should display a prompt (often X on PlayStation or A on Xbox) for the second player to join the lobby. Press this button.
- Confirm Player 2 is in Lobby: You should now see both players displayed in the game lobby, typically in the top right corner or indicated on the screen.
Step 5: Attempt to Select Zombies Mode
Now that both players are in the lobby, the real test begins.
- Navigate to the Zombies Tab: From the main menu, try to switch over to the "Zombies" game mode.
- Observe for Prompts:
- Ideal Scenario: The game smoothly transitions to the Zombies menu with both players still in the lobby. You can then select your desired Zombies map and start the game.
- Common Issue (Be Prepared!): Many players have reported an error message at this stage, stating something like, "The area you are moving to does not allow split screen. Are you sure you want to remove player two and proceed?"
- If you encounter this, it means the game is preventing split-screen Zombies for you. Unfortunately, there's no official workaround to force it if the game actively blocks it. This is a known and frustrating bug that has persisted for many users.
- Do NOT remove player two if you want to play together.
Troubleshooting Tip for Zombies Split-Screen:
Some users have reported limited success with playing Zombies split-screen by:
- Going Offline: Before launching the game or entering the Zombies mode, try setting your console to "go offline" through its network settings. Then, launch Vanguard and attempt the steps above. This might sometimes bypass online checks that prevent split-screen in Zombies. Be aware that progress won't count while offline.
- Older Game Versions: If you have a physical disc and haven't updated the game in a long time (unlikely for most online players), an older patch might have allowed it, but subsequent patches often broke it. This isn't a practical solution for most.
Step 6: Adjusting Settings for Optimal Split-Screen Play (If it Works!)
If you successfully get both players into a Zombies match, congratulations! Here are some tips to make the experience better:
- Field of View (FOV):
- Go to the Settings menu, then Graphics.
- Increase your Field of View (FOV). The default FOV (often 80) can feel very restrictive on a split screen. Pushing it up to 100 or even 120 (the maximum) will give both players a wider view of the action, making it easier to see incoming zombies and navigate the map. Remember, a change in FOV for one player usually applies to both in split-screen.
- Audio Mix: Experiment with audio settings to ensure both players can clearly hear game sounds, especially important cues for zombie spawns or special enemy types.
- Controller Sensitivity: Each player can adjust their individual controller sensitivity for better aiming and movement.
Step 7: Dive into the Undead Horde!
With both players successfully in the game, you're ready to tackle Der Anfang or any other Zombies map you have! Remember:
- Teamwork is Key: Call out enemies, share resources, and revive your teammate promptly.
- Objectives: Vanguard Zombies is objective-based. Focus on completing the objectives to progress through rounds and earn Sacrificial Hearts for Covenants.
- Perks and Pack-a-Punch: Utilize the Altar of Covenants for powerful perks and upgrade your weapons at the Pack-a-Punch machine.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about Call of Duty: Vanguard Zombies split-screen:
How to play Call of Duty Vanguard Zombies split-screen on PC?
Quick Answer: You cannot. Call of Duty: Vanguard does not support split-screen on PC for any game mode, including Zombies.
How to fix "split screen not allowed" error in Vanguard Zombies?
Quick Answer: Unfortunately, there isn't an official fix for this specific error as it indicates the mode's split-screen functionality is broken or unsupported by the current game version for many players. Some anecdotal evidence suggests trying to play offline, but it's not guaranteed.
How to enable vertical split-screen in Vanguard Zombies?
Quick Answer: Call of Duty: Vanguard split-screen is only horizontal. There is no option to change it to vertical split-screen.
How to use a guest account for split-screen in Vanguard Zombies?
Quick Answer: For local split-screen on consoles, the second player can typically sign in as a "Guest" account when prompted to join the game after the first player has loaded into the lobby.
How to play Vanguard Zombies split-screen online?
Quick Answer: Both players need their own PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscriptions and separate accounts signed in to play Vanguard Zombies split-screen online. However, Zombies split-screen has severe known bugs that often prevent it from working even with proper online setup.
How to improve performance when playing Vanguard Zombies split-screen?
Quick Answer: If you manage to get split-screen working, increasing the Field of View (FOV) in the graphics settings can make the experience feel less cramped. Beyond that, performance is largely tied to the game's optimization and your console's hardware.
How to know if Vanguard Zombies split-screen is officially supported?
Quick Answer: While split-screen for Zombies was added post-launch, it has been widely reported as buggy and often non-functional. Activision/Treyarch have stated in the past that it was "not planned to support local split-screen functionality" for Vanguard Zombies, indicating a lack of priority or a decision to not fully fix the issues. Check official patch notes or announcements from Treyarch for any updates.
How to find other local co-op games if Vanguard Zombies split-screen doesn't work?
Quick Answer: If Vanguard Zombies split-screen isn't cooperating, consider other Call of Duty titles like Black Ops 3 or Cold War (which eventually received more stable Zombies split-screen) or other popular couch co-op games across various genres.
How to adjust FOV for both players in Vanguard Zombies split-screen?
Quick Answer: When playing split-screen, changes to the Field of View (FOV) in the Graphics settings usually apply to both players simultaneously. Access settings from the main menu or in-game pause menu.
How to level up weapons faster in Vanguard Zombies with a friend?
Quick Answer: Playing with a friend, whether in split-screen (if it works for you) or online co-op, allows for more efficient objective completion and higher round progression, which generally leads to faster weapon XP gain. Focus on completing objectives quickly and utilizing weapon XP tokens.