Splatoon 3

Overview

• Type: Third-person shooter video game
• Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Release Date: 9 September 2022

Game Mechanics

• **Modes: ** Single-player, Multiplayer (PvP and PvE)
• **Ink-based Combat: **
  • Players use ink-firing weapons.
  • Players can transform into squid or octopus forms for movement advantages.

Weapons

• Main, Sub, and Special Weapons:
  • Main weapons are chosen by players.
  • Sub weapons are secondary but consume more ink.
  • Special weapons are charged by inking ground.
• Weapon Types:
  • Rollers: Cover large areas with ink, limited to close-range.
  • Chargers: Sniper-like, effective at long-range.
• New Content: 15 new weapons added.

Multiplayer Modes

• Turf War:
  • Two teams of four compete to cover the most area with ink.
  • Opposing ink slows movement and causes damage.
• Anarchy Battles (Ranked Mode):
  • Includes modes like Clam Blitz, Splat Zones, Tower Control, and Rainmaker.
  • Clam Blitz: Teams collect and deposit clams into goals.
  • Splat Zones: Capture and control zones.
  • Tower Control: Escort a tower to the goal.
  • Rainmaker: Capture the flag style.
• Splatfests:
  • Themed events where players choose teams.
  • Introduces "Tricolor Turf War" mode.

Salmon Run Next Wave

• Co-op PvE mode:
  • Objective: Collect Golden Eggs from Boss Salmonids.
  • No time restrictions for mode access.
  • Introduces "Big Run" and "Eggstra Work" events.

Story Mode

• Title: Return of the Mammalians
• Setting: Alterna, desolate with Fuzzy Ooze.
• Plot:
  • Players follow Agent 3, recruit for New Squidbeak Splatoon.
  • Involved in battles against mutated Octarians.
  • Main antagonist Mr. Grizz aims to restore mammals via Fuzzy Ooze.

Development and Release

• Developers: Nintendo EPD with Monolith Soft, SRD, and Bandai Namco Studios.
• Servers: Use of NLPN for better matchmaking.
• Marketing:
  • Announced in February 2021.
  • Various trailers and Nintendo Directs revealed features and modes.
  • Limited-edition Nintendo Switch OLED model released.
• Post-release Support:
  • Two years of updates planned with DLCs.
  • Regular updates ended in September 2024.

Reception and Sales

• Reviews: Generally favorable.
  • Praise: Additional maps, single-player campaign, customization.
  • Criticism: Matchmaking issues, lack of new content.
• Sales: 11.96 million copies by March 2024.
• Awards: Won Best Multiplayer Game at The Game Awards 2022, nominated for several others.

Cultural and Lore Context

• Setting: Post-human Earth, influenced by climate change.
• Timeline: 5 years after Splatoon 2, set in Splatlands and Splatsville.

Additional Content

• DLC: Side Order, a virtual reality-based story expansion.
• Tableturf Battle: Digital card game based on Turf War.

Significant Events

• Launch Events:
  • Pre-launch Splatfest on 27-28 August 2022.
  • Deep Cut idol group concert at Nintendo Live 2022.

This summary provides an extensive overview of Splatoon 3, its gameplay aspects, modes, development details, and market reception. Ideal for understanding the game's attributes and its place within the Splatoon series.