Match the invitation to the mode
| Session | Capacity | Where it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Online campaign | Up to four players | Supported online platforms |
| Local campaign | Two players | Xbox console split-screen |
| PC local campaign | No local split-screen | Use online co-op instead |
| Horde friend party | Four-player squad | Three squads share a 12-player battlefield |
Player capacity and local play boundaries
Online campaign
- Capacity
- Up to four players
- Where it applies
- Supported online platforms
Local campaign
- Capacity
- Two players
- Where it applies
- Xbox console split-screen
PC local campaign
- Capacity
- No local split-screen
- Where it applies
- Use online co-op instead
Horde friend party
- Capacity
- Four-player squad
- Where it applies
- Three squads share a 12-player battlefield
Do not read the 12-player battlefield as a single 12-friend party. The Horde mission guide explains how squads share objectives and support each other.
Cross-play is different from owning two copies
Online multiplayer supports cross-platform invitations. Optional account linking lets you use roaming saves across platforms. A Microsoft account is required. Purchase ownership is a separate question: a Steam purchase does not automatically grant the Xbox console license.
A qualifying Microsoft-store purchase supports Xbox Play Anywhere across Xbox and PC. Compare the platform purchase paths and edition benefits before paying for the same intended session twice.
Check subscriptions before console online play
Xbox console online multiplayer needs a subscription with the relevant online multiplayer entitlement. This requirement should not be applied to a Steam PC purchase. The Game Pass access guide separates the full-game membership benefit from console online access and Premium early access.
A streamed session adds service and connection requirements. Check the cloud-play path instead of assuming a phone can install a PC or Xbox copy locally.
Agree on saves and pauses
- Campaign supports five separate save slots for keeping different playthroughs apart.
- Co-op players can select individual difficulty settings.
- Only the campaign host can pause.
- Private Lobbies and leaderboards are not included at launch; a return date has not been announced.
Use the first-session checklist to settle controls and accessibility before the group enters a long mission. For two players on one Xbox, use local campaign. For a group on separate supported devices, use online co-op.