Whats next?

[Lisku]

What are you’re theorys for the future of the Splatoon series? now that grandfest is over

 

[Vidknight]

Not entirely sure if this count as a theory or not, but this is the first thing that came to mind when I saw the question

While I do think that Nintendo is going to create another splatoon (I mean come on yall see how much this game and it merch sells?) I don't think that Splatoon 4 or a spinoff will be a launch title

While it's hard to say when the switch 2 (or whatever it's called) will release there are some ideas about it being in late 2025 if that is so than is a low chance for splatoon being a launch title. Splatoon 3 released just around 2 years ago and it just finished with content so for them to create a new splatoon in like 1 year seems incredibly difficult and if they do the release will be so bare bones like splat 2 release.

 

[NeoXVIII]

Next few seasons are probably gonna be super dry, but if 3 gets a revive for the next switch, like new trailers and posts, maybe new seasons, it'd be pretty awesome, especially if they keep improving on their overall design philosophy for 3 and aren't afraid to do something new.

Otherwise we wait for 4 after the last balance patches are pushed out. At least we'll get big runs and splatfests, shrug.

 

[isaac4]

Unless they make a spinoff game, there probably won't be anything new for at least 2 years.
They could just drop a random announcement a year or so from now about more content being added which would a very "Nintendo thing" to do but it's not a guarantee.

 

[Masked_Katz]

As I've said somewhere here before, I think a Splatoon spin-off would be a great idea. I feel like 3 was half-baked in several ways, and even though it is still a great game, I think I'd be satisfied with a smaller game released before we get 4 if that means they would get the time they need to make it the best it could be on the new system. Not to mention that a spin-off sounds like it would be a great way to potentially expand upon the appealing world and lore, especially for those who weren't there to experience every game in the series.

 

[Cephalobro]

I don't see a Splatoon 4 being released for the first two years of the Switch 2, I think that instead of rushing it to the new console, they will instead release other games in their lineup first. I do hope they don't even show a smidge of Splatoon 4's gameplay in the Switch 2 reveal trailer, because this will make it so that many will demand it to release as early as possible and this time, I want Nintendo to take time developing Splatoon 4 so it turn out much better in the end. If there must be a Splatoon during the first two years in the Switch 2, I think a spin-off is a much better idea so that they can save Splatoon 4 for later.

 

[missingno]

I'm very confident in saying that Splatoon 4 will not happen until after the next Animal Crossing. Remember it's the same development team, that's what they're gonna have their hands full with for a while.

I'd love to see a spinoff handed to some other studio, there's so many different ideas they could explore with this franchise, but I'm not sure how likely that is either in today's market. The rising cost of AAA game development means that publishers spend more resources and longer development cycles releasing fewer games. And that leaves less room for cute li'l side projects.

I miss the days when every series got a quirky straight-to-handheld spinoff that was developed in a few months on a shoestring budget.

 

[OnePotWonder]

I'm very confident in saying that Splatoon 4 will not happen until after the next Animal Crossing. Remember it's the same development team, that's what they're gonna have their hands full with for a while.

There has been word that Splatoon now has its own team of developers, though I do agree that we'll get more Animal Crossing first.

My previous theory still stands; Nintendo will revive Splatoon 3 as part of the next console's release, and take their sweet time working on the next major installment in the series. Whether or not we get a spin-off is up for debate, though I think team past winning Grand Fest made it all the more likely, since it'd be easiest to incorporate historical theming into a spin-off.

 

[briank913]

I want a Splatoon where instead of Splat Bombs the ancient Inklings throw rocks and go BOOGA BOOGA BOOGA.

 

[vamp1rebees]

if we get salmon run back in splat4 i wonder if we'll still have big run???? after this previous big run i kind of feel like we've hunted the salmonids to near extinction and it HAS to impact the future of salmon run somehow
idk i doubt we'd lose it entirely but it could definitely change available number of shifts or something

 

[OnePotWonder]

if we get salmon run back in splat4 i wonder if we'll still have big run???? after this previous big run i kind of feel like we've hunted the salmonids to near extinction and it HAS to impact the future of salmon run somehow
idk i doubt we'd lose it entirely but it could definitely change available number of shifts or something

Someone suggested Salmon Run becoming a spin-off game, and while I personally don't see it happening, it does solve that problem.

 

[OCTöHEAD]

My previous theory still stands; Nintendo will revive Splatoon 3 as part of the next console's release, and take their sweet time working on the next major installment in the series. Whether or not we get a spin-off is up for debate, though I think team past winning Grand Fest made it all the more likely, since it'd be easiest to incorporate historical theming into a spin-off.

ooh, yeah that might be a thing. if they combo that with third kits to drum up interest too maybe..

I miss the days when every series got a quirky straight-to-handheld spinoff that was developed in a few months on a shoestring budget.

yeah no lil handheld to push something like that to nowadays.
I'm still dreaming of a turfwars mobile game though. sigh...