New video and details announced for Splatoon 3

Nintendo shared new details about Splatoon 3 with its special Direct presentation. Sharing new gameplay footage of the game, the company also shared some information about both the gameplay and the general dynamics of the game, the lobby system and the customization system. The video and information provided for the game are as follows;

Splatoon 3 Direct presented

The presentation provided new details on Splatoon 3’s three main modes: Turf War, the iconic four-on-four team battle to paint the most floors; Salmon Run, a co-op mode where a four-man team fends off attacks of dangerous Salmonid Bosses to collect Golden Eggs; and a new single-player story mode featuring “Return of the Mammalians,” where players lead Agent 3 in their fight against the evil Octarians.

Additionally, recurring multiplayer events called Splatfests are returning to the series. The Splatfest World Premiere will take place on August 27 and will offer every Nintendo Switch owner the chance to attend this global event before the full game releases. Players who download the demo will receive a code for a 7-day free trial ahead of the Splatfest World Premiere. Newcomers and veterans alike can show their support for one of the three themes and use it in the newly introduced Tricolor Battles.

Highlights of the presentation include:

• Improved Turf War gameplay: Naturally, in a place called Splatsville, Turf War is the locals’ favorite pastime. Two teams of four compete to paint the most area on the map in three minutes. New techniques were introduced, such as Squid Surge, where players can swim through walls in one go, and Squid Roll, which makes it possible to jump through ink while turning. If a player’s character glows while performing the move, they can also ink their opponent’s color.
• New and returning episodes: Turf war will be playable in various exotic locations. There are Splatlands-specific stages such as Eeltail Alley, Scorch Gorge, Mincemeat Metalworks and Undertow Spillway. There’s also the new Hagglefish Market, a pier filled to the brim with lively street vendors. A few episodes from Greater Inkopolis also return, including the Museum d’Alfonsino, Hammerhead Bridge, and Mahi-Mahi Resort. A total of 12 episodes, including those shown in the video presentation, are waiting to be released at launch. More episodes will be added to the game in post-launch free updates.
• Deep Cut trio: Deep Cut is a popular trio that hosts the Splatsville news program Anarchy Splatcast. They provide information on war episodes and other news releases currently available. For the first time in the series, these updates can even be read on the go while exploring Splatsville.
• Splatfests are back: At these events, players can vote for their favorite theme among 3 announced themes. The team they represent is determined by this selection, and the winner is determined by battles fought over a certain period of time. Splatfests will consist of two halves: in the first half, three teams will compete in 4v4 Turf War battles. The second half features all-new Tricolor Turf War battles, a new mode where three teams battle simultaneously. Can the top team defend themselves in this unique 4-v-2-v-2 match type?
• Splatoon 3 Splatfest World Premiere: Anyone wishing to dive into Splatoon 3 before it launches on September 9 will be able to attend the Splatfest World Premiere on August 27. Starting August 18, the free demo will be available for download on the Nintendo eShop. Players can choose Team Rock, Team Paper or Team Scissors until August 27. Certain parts of the demo will be playable on August 25 ahead of the Splatfest event, which kicks off at 10:00 CEST on August 28.
• Splatlands main weapons: All main weapon types from previous Splatoon games will be available in Splatoon 3 from the start. New, Splatlands-specific weapons have also been added: the bow-like Tri-Stringer that can fire in three directions simultaneously and fire charged shots that freeze briefly before detonating. The Splatana Wiper throws blades of ink produced by swinging. If it swings after charging, it transforms into a charged vertical attack.
• Special weapons: Splatoon 3 brings new and unique special weapons such as special weapon types that can be released after painting enough areas. These include the Tacticooler—when activated, a fridge with stat-boosting drinks for the team will appear. There is also Wave Breaker which emits sonic waves in the area. And the Reefslider is a great shark-shaped ink-powered weapon that charges forward, creating an ink blast on opponents. Some familiar special weapons from the Splatoon series will return, such as Tenta Missiles, Inkjet, Ink Storm, Ultra Stamp and Booyah Bomb. Special weapons are paired with main weapons so players can find the combo that suits their jump style.
• Battle modes: Turf War battles are not the only conflict types in Splatlands. In Anarchy battles, players compete for ranking. There are four different modes returning: Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker and Clam Blitz. Battle of Anarchy (Series) is for players who want to take on a solo fight. Alternatively, this is the way to join the Anarchy Battle (Open) while teaming up with your friends. In Custom Battles, players can tweak modes and other options as they please. Any mode accessible in the lobby can be played with friends, with the exception of Battle of Anarchy (Series), so for the first time in the series it’s possible to continue playing in a set group after a match is over. Players can also use local communication to play with people nearby in Shoal in different modes.
• The biggest Salmon Run to date: The Salmon Run mode returns in Splatoon 3, which requires four players to work together and collect Power Eggs from the Salmonids advancing on them. Salmon run can be played at any time in Splatoon 3. Players will encounter ferocious creatures called Boss Salmonids, including the new Slammin’ Lid and Big Shot. Sometimes, even Cohozuna, a giant King Salmonid, can appear. Also, Big Run, where Salmonids invade the city where the Inklings and Octolings live, will also appear every few months.
• The return of the Mammalians: Embark on an adventure to discover how Alterna is connected to the secrets and titular theme of Fuzzy Ooze in this new story mode that’s perfect for hanging up your weapons. As Agent 3, the latest addition to the new Squidbeak Splatoon, players will battle the Octarian Army, whose members are for some reason covered with hair. Together with Smallfry friends, players can explore many stages, each full of intricacies.
• Lobby features: Splatsville lobby has a lot of features. Online friends appear as 3D holograms. Participating in war as an ally or as an opponent is pretty easy. By teaming up and playing, players can see what their friends are up to at any given moment. The lobby also features a Memory Player that can replay recent battles in their entirety from another player’s perspective.
• Catalog customization: When battles begin, Splashtags appear. These can be customized with a title, background and badge. Additionally, the expression a character displays when they win a battle can be customized. All of this and more will be available through the in-game catalog that will be available at Hotlantis, the general store at the edge of Splatsville. Players can exchange points earned from battles for various items such as seasonal gear and skill pieces. After the initial launch of the catalog, updates will be released every three months for two years.
• Tableturf Battle: The Tableturf Battle Dojo on the wasteland of Splatsville is the home of the Tableturf Battle, Turf War’s 1v1 competitive card battle. Players can draw different shapes with different cards, recharge power, and then unleash them all at once with a special flashback attack. There are over 150 cards available to collect.
• SplatNet 3: SplatNet 3 is a smart device online service for Splatoon 3 on the Nintendo Switch Online app. It includes checking battle records, ordering special in-game gear from the SplatNet Gear Shop, and much more. A new feature is Crusty Sean’s Wandercrust; Battles Crusty Sean’s journey can be supplemented by using Ink Points earned during SplatNet 3 ships with launch.
• New amiibo: New Splatoon 3 amiibo figures (sold separately) arrive this winter, including separate amiibo figures for Octoling Boy, Squid Girl, and Smallfry. Scanning the Amiibo in-game allows players to save their favorite gear combinations as Fresh Fits so they can easily change outfits. In addition, the amiibo has special equipment and it is possible to take in-game photos with them
• Post-launch updates: After the game is released, a free season catalog will be distributed every three months for two years. New weapons will be added at the same time as each in-game catalog. Also, Battle X and League Battle will arrive in a future update. After reaching an extremely high rank in the Battle of Anarchy, Battle X will be unlocked. In League War, players can compete in teams every two hours based on the results of the Anarchy War. Apart from that, large-scale paid DLC is also planned for the future. More details will be shared at a later date.