Screenwatching

Screenwatching is a slang term. The term refers to the act of looking at another player's "screen" during a split-screen multiplayer game. A variety of synonymous phrases exist, including screen jumping, screen watching, screen looking, screen peeking, screen checking, screen cheating, and screening exist.

In a split-screen game, the viewing device being used (be it a television set, a computer monitor, or something else) is divided into separate regions, allowing multiplayer players to use a single screen. Each of these regions functions as an individual screen (and is referred to as such), such that despite the usage of a single viewing device, each player has their own viewpoint and HUD.

Unfortunately, however, such a setup allows a player to glance at the screens of others. By doing so, a player can instantly discern the whereabouts and armaments of other players. This gives the observer -- the screen cheater -- a tactical advantage in both offensive and defensive situations; in the former, the screen cheater can more easily intercept their target, and in the latter, they can more easily avoid their target. The screen cheater can even tell if they are being aimed at, and can thus evade would-be snipers and assassins. By the trick's very nature, however, it may be turned against the screen cheater -- if the other players decide to screen cheat in retaliation, then the trick could be considered to be an additional layer of strategy.

In Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, screenwatching is usually unavoidable to an extent, particularly when the players are playing on a small monitor. Despite its inevitability, screenwatching is looked down upon as a "newb" tactic.

An easy way to avoid, or at least lessen the impact of, screenwatching is to create a system link with multiple Xbox consoles on multiple monitors, so that players each have their own screen, or at least have fewer opponents on one screen. In a team game, the game can be set up so that teammates share screens; screenwatching in such a case will provide only a minor advantage.

Trivia

 * A good way to avoid screenwatching altogether is to play System Link or Xbox Live games where everyone has a different screen.
 * Screenwatching is often considered cheating. Obviously, Bungie cannot ban people for it; it is cheating in a more informal sense.
 * Halo PC users can't screen cheat, as only single-player and online play are possible, unless the PCs are right next to each other.
 * When playing team gametypes, system link and assign a team to a monitor (and splitscreen among teammates). This would result in easier communication within a team.