Summary
Splatoonfans have been abuzz lately due to a recent rumor that the series’ 4th installment is in development. Therumors aboutSplatoon 4being developedstarted with a known game leaker, Midori, who has a good track record of being correct. Midori stated on her Twitter that the game is currently being developed under the codename ‘spiral’ and will release early in the life of Nintendo’s next console, currently being referred to as the ‘Switch 2.’
With this rumor in mind, fans will surely end up looking to the future, but also to the past in trying to predict what the next game might bring. WheneverSplatoon 4comes out, it needs to add more to the franchise thanSplatoon 3did, acting more likeSplatoon 2, which added loads of content after the original game.
Is Splatoon 4 Coming Out Soon?
While the news aboutSplatoon 4is just a rumor, there is some evidence that suggests it may be true. In the latest update toSplatoon 3, players found data related to a large splatfest, which was assumed to be the game’s last. Their theories were recently confirmed asNintendo released a video teasingSplatoon 3’s ‘Grand Festival’, which will be its final splatfest. With that milestone marking the end of further development onSplatoon 3, it would only make sense that Nintendo is looking into the future of the series. To say that the next installment will be released soon, though, wouldn’t be quite right. Rumors suggest that the nextSplatoongame will release shortly after Nintendo’s next console, which has been confirmed, but has yet to be officially unveiled, leaving a bit of a time gap until fans can expect the game.
How Splatoon 4 can improve on Splatoon 3
Splatoon 3is an excellent installment in one of Nintendo’s newest franchises, but some fans were a bit disappointed with the jump to a new game.Splatoon 2was notable for taking the original game and adding new weapons, maps, and most importantly,introducing the Salmon Run mode, which returned inSplatoon 3. The second game in the series took the foundation of the first and drastically improved on it, creating an experience that went above and beyond what fans expected. Unfortunately,Splatoon 3didn’t do the same, leaving some fans wondering why another entry was needed with such little new content.
That isn’t to say thatSplatoon 3didn’t bring players new experiences. The addition of a single player card game, decorative lockers, and new weapons and maps gave players more to do than in the previous game, but all of these were small additions. WhatSplatoon 3did add were new features to familiar modes, such as giving Salmon Run its own limited time mode similar to splatfests andintroducing Tournament Manager to improve the multiplayer experience. These small additions did enough to setSplatoon 3apart, but fans would much rather see larger additions toSplatoon 4like they did inSplatoon 2.
Given how popular theSplatoongames have become, it can be difficult to remember that they are a pretty new IP for Nintendo. Despite beingone of the best shooters on a Nintendo console, the series isn’t that old yet, so Nintendo is likely still figuring out how to up the ante in new installments. It does listen to its fans though, seeming to base the next game’s theme off of the result of the previous game’s final splatfest. WhileSplatoon’s future isn’t yet set in stone, one certainty is that players will be awaiting any news about the next entry.
Splatoon
The Splatoon series is a highly colorful and vibrant third-person shooter experience exclusive to Nintendo. The games feature anthropomorphic marine creatures who battle for control of various maps via paint. Splatoon offers both multiplayer and single-player modes with the former being where the bulk of the action comes from.
