Halo developer promises split-screen multiplayer to return in future games

When Halo 5: Guardians was released in late 2015, it was missing one feature that left stalwart fans of the FPS series upset and disappointed: local co-op multiplayer via split-screen. Fortunately there's good news from this week's DICE industry event in Las Vegas, where Bonnie Ross, head of Halo developer 343 Industries, has announced that they've learned from their mistake, with split-screen functionality returning for future titles.

In her speech at the event, Ross explained that removing the option for split-screen multiplayer gameplay resulted in a painful learning lesson, with a large outcry from fans following Halo 5's release. In the lead-up to the game's debut, Halo 5 creative director Josh Holmes explained that dropping split-screen was "one of the most difficult ones we've ever had to make as a studio."

The sacrifice was made in order for Halo 5 to take the most advantage of next-gen technology and meet the developer's ambitious goals, including elements like improved AI, massive environments, and a constant 60 frames-per-second experience.

Ross followed-up with good news, however, noting that all first-person shooter titles in the Halo series going forward will include split-screen.

"We've also had a lot of learnings along the way. You know when we fell down with the multiplayer launch of [Halo: The Master Chief Collection], or when we didn't put split screen in with Halo 5. I think it's incredibly painful for the community and for us. It erodes trust with the community, as the community is part of our world building.

A lot of learnings from that, and I would say for any FPS going forward we will always have split screen."

SOURCE Polygon