Yes, Activision Has Removed Split Screen from Recent Call of Duty Games

The option to play Call of Duty battles, zombies modes, and more shoulder-to-shoulder with friends has been a staple of the hit franchise for over a decade. But in recent years starting with 2019‘s Modern Warfare reboot, Activision has discontinued local split screen multiplayer support across key COD titles and platforms.

As both a gaming industry analyst and hardcore COD fan myself, this removal of a beloved feature comes as a disappointment. In this post, we‘ll break down when and where Activision has nixed split screen co-op and speculate on why. For those still seeking to play together in person, I‘ll also provide tips and workarounds.

The Long History of Playing COD Side-by-Side

Since the early days of online first-person shooters on consoles, Call of Duty has led the way on local co-op capabilities. As early as 2007‘s COD4: Modern Warfare, two players could team up in competitive multiplayer matches right from the same couch.

The franchise expanded the number of split screen participants over time:

• 2010‘s Black Ops allowed up to 4 players in local Zombie modes
• 2011‘s Modern Warfare 3 supported 2-player online co-op across platforms
• 2015‘s Black Ops 3 returned 4-player offline co-op including multiplayer and zombies

This consistency over a decade cemented Call of Duty as the gold standard for FPS local play.

The Scalpel – Precision Removal of Split Screen Post-2019

But a series of precise changes demonstrates Activision intentionally removing support for side-by-side multiplayer across different COD sub-franchises:

Modern Warfare (2019 Reboot)

As part of a major game update in January 2020, Infinity Ward removed the option to play split screen in online multiplayer and survival modes. Reddit users at the time noted this seemed an effort to push players toward the latest Black Ops release over the now 14-month old Modern Warfare title.

Black Ops: Cold War (2020)

Per fansite GameWith, Cold War limited split screen co-op to offline modes only. So you could still battle bots and friends but no connecting online for competitive multiplayer matches.

Call of Duty: Warzone (2020-Present)

The free-to-play smash hit battle royale experience has never offered split screen on any platform. And the recently released Warzone 2 maintains that status quo with no plans to allow local co-op.

Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)

Despite returning split screen capabilities to competitive multiplayer, the WWII-themed Vanguard‘s Zombies mode outright bans local co-op play. Solo or online only here.

As this timeline shows, Activision has carefully stripped local co-op from key areas of the Call of Duty ecosystem over a multi-year period.

Why Remove Such a Beloved Feature?

Eliminating split screen support that‘s been central to Call of Duty for over a decade didn‘t happen accidentally. As both an industry analyst and avid gamer, I see three key business motivations behind Activision‘s decisions:

1. Push Players to Latest Annual Releases

As a franchise, Call of Duty relies on a large mass of players purchasing each new annual release. Offering too many options for continuing to enjoy older titles diminishes that incentive to upgrade. Removing Modern Warfare split screen in early 2020 steered fans toward that year‘s new Black Ops: Cold War.

2. Promote Online Play & Microtransactions

Online multiplayer and Warzone today fuel the Call of Duty revenue machine via in-game cosmetic purchases and the premium "battle pass" model. Local co-op incentivizes free offline play rather than online spending – another loss for Activision‘s accountants.

3. Console Manufacturers Downplay Split Screen

Sony and Microsoft have also cooled on local multiplayer capabilities. As home entertainment moves toward 4K visuals and complex graphics, rendering multiple viewports places greater strain on consoles. Less demand from platform partners means less pressure for Activision to invest resources in supporting split screen.

The Fan Reaction – Disappointment But Also Workarounds

Among serious Call of Duty players I interact with, frustration runs high about losing the ability to squad up shoulder-to-shoulder. This classic style of play provides not only cost savings but also camaraderie and fun from gaming together in person.

However, fans continue finding creative workarounds and alternatives:

• Modern Warfare 2 still supports split screen for certain modes like Hardpoint and Team Deathmatch.
• Vanguard Zombies prohibits local co-op but multiplayer modes allow it.
• Some players use multiple consoles and TVs on a LAN setup for imitation "split screen."

The core message boards and subreddits remain filled with requests and petitions for restoring offline split screen. But given Activision‘s profit-motives outlined earlier, hopes should remain muted.

The Bottom Line – Money Over Multiplayer

Call of Duty rose to dominance through pioneering capabilities like local split screen gameplay. Yet in today‘s online revenue-driven era, Activision seems focused on maximizing profits over keeping beloved features.

As both a gaming business expert and life-long COD fan, I mourn the loss of side-by-side squad battles. The workaround options above will have to suffice…or friends will need to look beyond Activision forcouch co-op play.

What memories and feedback do you have around playing Call of Duty with friends in the same room? Does the loss of split screen capabilities affect your enjoyment of the franchise? Let‘s discuss in the comments!