Halo: Campaign Evolved lands on PC and Xbox Series X|S next month, and for the first time, on a PlayStation console. Ahead of its launch, some confusion has arisen regarding how local split-screen co-op will work on PS5, with many assuming that PS Plus subscriptions would be required for both players. Fortunately, there is some good news as Microsoft has clarified what will be required from players exactly. In an update, the official Halo Studios social media channel clarified that while local splitscreen co-op does require a PlayStation account for each player, it does not require two PlayStation Plus accounts to function.  

Originally, senior community manager John Junyszek claimed in a community Q&A that both accounts would each need a PlayStation Plus account and be linked to a Microsoft account. "If you're playing split-screen on PlayStation 5, both accounts will need to have PlayStation Plus and be linked to a Microsoft account," Junyszek wrote at the time. "Having these active PlayStation Plus subscriptions will also provide access to online co-op play."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WwqeSUMEIY

Naturally, PS5 players weren't too pleased with this statement, believing that it would cost extra on top of Halo: Campaign Evolved's $50 price tag to join a friend for some couch co-op. As for the Microsoft account requirement, this will allow for cross-progression across PC and consoles. PC and Xbox owners will only need to create a Microsoft account for local co-op.

Halo: Campaign Evolved will be released on July 28, and Microsoft has already revealed the global launch times more than a month in advance for the game. A complete remake of the very first Halo, the game celebrates the 25th anniversary of the franchise and includes extra content, like improved graphics, new prequel missions, and quality-of-life updates. If you're planning on hopping in, you can check out GameSpot's Halo: Campaign Evolved buying guide and read up on how the game looks great in third-person.

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It's a story as old as time: a new Destiny 2 update arrives, and almost immediately, someone spots an exploit. The last week has seen some overpowered damage being dished out in Destiny 2, thanks to players discovering a method of stacking mods in the artifact. The result: Super attacks that deal several times the amount of intended damage, absolutely wiping the floor with bosses in the game. As you'd expect, a fix is on the way, but Bungie has allowed this exploit to slide for the last week.

While you're technically supposed to only have one of each mod in use--out of several slots--hopping into a game of competitive PvP is the secret to unlocking this exploit. Hit the Portal, jump into the mode, and as soon as the lobby is filled with players, you can start adding the same mod to each category on the artifact. One of the popular choices has been Thunderous Retort on the NPA Repulsion Regulator artifact, as this mod allows you to dish out bonus Arc Super damage if your Guardian is in an Amplified state or has been critically wounded.

Perfectly unbalanced, as all things should be.

Ordinarily, your Super is quite lethal on its own, as demonstrated here on everyone's favorite training dummy, Carl:

A perfectly respectable Chaos Reach blast.

But what happens if you decide to equip seven Thunderous Retort mods and use a Super-boosting Exotic armor piece like Geomag Stabilizers? You get a beam of Arc energy that can melt through even the toughest of bosses with ease. Just look at those damage numbers!

But this? This is a Death Star blast.

With the right build and gear, the potential for this exploit can get even higher, but you'll only have until later this week to have fun with it. "So, we've been seeing some interesting videos where Guardians are doing near infinite damage to bosses thanks in part to unintended Artifact perk stacking," Bungie on Twitter. "Quite hilarious to watch, to be honest! "While we're planning a fix--next week likely--we think this is a bit fun. Go ahead. Get out there, beat up on Atheon. Destroy some bosses. Do your thing."

While Bungie hasn't given a definitive date yet for the fix, the weekly update on June 22 is likely when you'll see the exploit patched out. If you and the rest of your fireteam are looking to have some fun by obliterating bosses with Chaos Reach beam attacks, now is the time to hop on and do this. Destiny 2 has a long history of exploits that players have run wild with over the years--who can forget the infamous Craftening weekend from a few years back--and one more bug looks like a fun way to send the game off now that it has been sunset.

While Destiny 2 is mostly over, it doesn't have to be the end of your time with the game. You can read up on how the story ends for its beloved cast of characters and how the saga can continue in tabletop form.