How Split Fiction Co-op Works: Couch, Online, Crossplay & Friend's Pass
Set up Split Fiction for two players with the right platforms, accounts, subscriptions, and number of copies.
Table of contents16 sections
Split Fiction is a co-op-only game for exactly two players. You can play together on one system in split-screen, connect online from separate systems, or use supported Nintendo Switch 2 GameShare setups. There is no single-player mode, AI partner, or three- and four-player co-op.
For couch co-op, one full copy on the shared system is enough. For online co-op, one player can own the game and invite the other through the free Friend's Pass. Online crossplay works among PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
The important part is choosing the correct setup before either player downloads or buys anything.
Split Fiction co-op requirements at a glance
| Setup | Copies needed | Accounts and memberships | Important limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couch co-op on one system | One | No EA Account or internet required for offline local play | Two players share a split screen |
| Standard online co-op | One per player, or one full copy plus Friend's Pass | Platform accounts, EA Accounts for online play, and applicable console multiplayer memberships | Exactly two online players |
| Cross-platform online co-op | One full copy plus Friend's Pass can work | Both players link EA Accounts and enable crossplay | PC, PS5, Xbox Series, and Switch 2 can connect |
| Switch 2 local wireless GameShare | One copy on the host Switch 2 | Supported Nintendo systems and local wireless setup | A Switch 1 can only join through GameShare from a Switch 2 |
| Free Friend's Pass trial | No purchase for the opening trial | Both players install Friend's Pass; online setup requires accounts | The trial covers the first two levels, not the full campaign |
The Split Fiction game details page keeps the supported platforms, modes, release information, and verification date together.
How couch co-op works
Local co-op runs the campaign in split-screen on one PC, PS5, Xbox Series console, or Switch 2. Both players remain active throughout the story because the challenges are designed around two different roles and abilities.
You need:
- one full copy of Split Fiction on the shared system;
- two controllers on console; or
- on PC, two controllers or one controller plus keyboard and mouse.
EA's current Friend's Pass FAQ says local co-op can be played offline and does not require an EA Account. That makes couch co-op the simplest setup: there is no crossplay configuration, online invitation, or separate console multiplayer membership for an offline session.
Do not confuse local co-op with two people playing from separate systems in the same room. If each person uses a different system, you need an online Friend's Pass session or the specific Switch 2 GameShare arrangement described below.
How online co-op and Friend's Pass work
Friend's Pass lets one owner invite one non-owner to play the full campaign online. It is not a limited-use code tied permanently to one friend. EA says the owner may play with different friends over time, but only one partner joins a session at once.
Set up a Friend's Pass session
- One player installs and launches the full version of Split Fiction.
- The second player downloads the free Friend's Pass for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or Switch 2.
- Both players sign in to their platform accounts and link the EA Accounts required for online play.
- The owner invites the second player from the in-game friends list. For different platforms, use the EA Friends List.
- The Friend's Pass player accepts while Split Fiction is open.
The non-owner can only access the full game while connected online to someone who owns it. Friend's Pass therefore changes the number of purchases, not the need for a stable internet connection, compatible platforms, and valid accounts.
This is a game-specific exception to the usual online ownership rule. For the broader distinction, see when co-op players need separate game copies.
Can two people try Split Fiction without buying it?
Yes. If both players install Friend's Pass, they can play the first two levels together without either person owning the full game. The trial supports couch co-op and online play, and EA says its progress carries into the purchased version.
After the trial, one player must buy the full game to continue through Friend's Pass. Two purchases are optional, not required.
Does Split Fiction support crossplay?
Yes. Split Fiction supports online crossplay among:
- PC;
- PlayStation 5;
- Xbox Series X|S; and
- Nintendo Switch 2.
These platform families can connect in any supported pairing, including through Friend's Pass. Split Fiction is not available as a native PS4, Xbox One, or original Nintendo Switch release, so those systems are not additional crossplay versions.
For a cross-platform invitation:
- Link each platform account to an EA Account.
- Add the other player's EA Account to the in-game EA Friends List.
- Make sure crossplay invitations are enabled in the game and permitted by console privacy settings.
- Keep Split Fiction open and signed in when the invitation is sent.
If the EA Friends List does not appear, first check the game's crossplay option, then the platform account's privacy or child-account restrictions. Buying a second copy will not fix an account setting that blocks cross-platform invitations.
Which subscriptions do console players need?
Online console sessions still use each platform's multiplayer service, even when the second player joins through Friend's Pass.
- PlayStation 5: both remote players need PlayStation Plus access that includes online multiplayer.
- Xbox Series X|S: EA specifies Xbox Game Pass Core or another applicable plan that includes online console multiplayer.
- Nintendo Switch 2: online features require Nintendo Switch Online.
- PC: EA says PC players do not need an additional platform multiplayer subscription.
Couch co-op played offline on one system does not need an online multiplayer membership. Game ownership and online access are separate checks; our online co-op subscription guide explains the general platform rules and common exceptions.
What is different on Nintendo Switch 2?
Switch 2 supports the same two-player couch and online options, plus local wireless GameShare.
With GameShare, a Switch 2 owner can host the game and share it locally with a second Nintendo system using one copy. The guest system may be another Switch 2 or an original Nintendo Switch. However, the original Switch does not run its own standalone version of Split Fiction; it can participate only when receiving the game through GameShare from a Switch 2.
Keep these Nintendo arrangements separate:
- Couch co-op: two players share one Switch 2 and one display.
- Local wireless GameShare: two supported Nintendo systems connect nearby from one Switch 2 host copy.
- Online co-op: the players connect over the internet through full copies or Friend's Pass and need Nintendo Switch Online where applicable.
GameShare is not the same feature as Friend's Pass. One is a Switch 2 local-sharing option; the other is the game's online guest system.
Who controls the save and chapter selection?
The online host controls where the session begins. EA says the host can start a new game, continue the most recent save, or use Chapter Select for a previously reached level. That lets an owner invite a different partner without being forced to erase or restart the existing campaign.
Progress from the free trial carries into the full version. EA also notes that achievements and trophies are restricted to players who own the full game, so a Friend's Pass guest should not assume that finishing the campaign will unlock the same platform rewards as ownership.
Common setup mistakes to avoid
Buying the wrong console version
Split Fiction supports PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, not PS4 or Xbox One. Confirm the system model before buying a console copy or sending a store link to a partner.
Buying two copies before checking Friend's Pass
One purchase is enough for couch co-op and can also unlock the full online campaign for a Friend's Pass guest. A second copy may be useful if both players want independent ownership and achievements, but it is not required simply to finish together.
Assuming crossplay removes account requirements
Crossplay permits different platforms to connect; it does not bypass EA Accounts, platform accounts, privacy settings, internet access, or console multiplayer memberships.
Expecting solo or larger-group play
The campaign requires two human players. There is no AI companion option and no co-op mode for three or four people. A larger group would need to rotate players rather than join one campaign simultaneously.
The best setup for your pair
Choose couch co-op if both people can use the same system and want the lowest-friction setup. One copy and two suitable inputs are enough, and offline local play avoids account and subscription troubleshooting.
Choose online Friend's Pass if the players are in different locations. Buy one full copy, install Friend's Pass for the guest, prepare both EA and platform accounts, and confirm each console has online multiplayer access.
Choose crossplay when the two systems belong to different supported platform families. Add each other through the EA Friends List before troubleshooting the platform's native friends list.
Choose Switch 2 GameShare only for nearby Nintendo systems when one player owns the game on Switch 2. It is the special case that can bring an original Switch into a local session, but it does not turn the original Switch into a separately supported game version.
Before purchasing, confirm five things: two available players, the exact systems, local or online play, the accounts and subscriptions for those systems, and whether one owner plus Friend's Pass meets both players' needs.