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It’s time for the Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct! While it’s not the big all-hands Direct everyone has been wanting, a 30-minute-ish Splatoon 3 spotlight is a fun way to spend a little bit of time hanging out — or in your case, reading a recap!
[This recap will be updated in real time as more news arises]
Here’s everything that was touched on in the August 10, 2022 Splatoon 3 Nintendo Direct:
- We got a quick introduction to the Splatsville hub, with the conceit that the presentation was being narrated thematically by researchers.
- Turf War was recapped as a returning 4v4 (three-minute) core mode, with the team that inks the most territory winning the match. Squid surge and squid rolls can allow players to instantly zoom up walls or turn while jumping out of the ink (a timed glow will also repel ink).
- More stages will be added for free with post-launch updates.
- All weapons from previous games are available, along with stringers (bows) and splatanas (wipers that allow you to send “blades of ink” through a sword, which can be charged).
- Sheldon licenses will be used to acquire weapons through “leveling up through battles, and consistently using the same weapons” (one license equals one weapon that corresponds to your level).
- Clothing shops will return, with Gnarly Eddy and Nails running the hat shop. Jel La Fleur will run the core clothing shop, and Mr. Coco is the purveyor of shoes. Clothes will provide passives like faster run speeds or quicker squid surge or squid rolls. You can swap abilities by talking to Murch in the town square. Loadouts can be saved and loaded.
- Anarchy Battles serve as a form of ranked play, with the following modes: splat zones, tower control, rainmaker, and clam blitz. These modes are on rotation, and there’s a solo queue (“Anarchy Battle Series”). The team queue is Anarchy Battle Open.
- A practice mode is available, with 3D hologram ghosts that allow you to skirmish and “see what your friends are up to.” You can view battle replays here too (with fast-forward capabilities, or the chance to swap to another player’s viewpoint), with a share feature.
- A locker mechanic lets you “express yourself in your space,” with stickers and outfits. You can get more from these from Harmony’s store Hotlantis. Banners, badges, and titles can be customized too, as can the winning emote (kinda like Overwatch). New catalogs of items are being released “every three months for two years.”
- A card game is being included in-game called Tableturf Battle, and will sport “150 cards.” Everyone will be given a starter deck. You can play it at the Tableturf Battle Dojo in Splatsville.
- More bosses will be included in the co-op Salmon Run mode (Slammin’ Lid, Big Shot, and King Salmonids elites like Cohozuna).
- The story can be kicked off through a manhole in the hub’s square. It’s once again stage-based, and Nintendo recommends it, as usual, as a way to familiarize yourself with the game.
- Illustrations are back, through the mailbox mechanic (vertical illustrations are in too).
- Food and drinks can be bought again in the hub to boost stats.
- The Shoal hub is back for queuing up local play.
- Photo mode is in too, and you can send photos to a smart device, or show them off in your locker.
- Recon mode lets you select any stage and take a tour of it.
- Splatnet 3 returns on mobile, allowing you to look at past games, use “ink points” for bonuses, or buy items for Splatoon 3.
- The amiibo figure statue/case is back, and lets you scan figures. “Special gear and snapping photos with amiibo” are the features shown off. Splatoon 3 amiibo are coming “this holiday” too.
- Updates are planned, as well as “large scale paid DLC.”
- The new main cast includes “Deep Cut,” a trio that hosts the “Anarchy Splatcast” similar to prior news crews in the past few games; and includes the characters Shiver, Frye, and Big Man.
- Splatfest is returning (the mode where you can pick a team, then battle and see who wins). It will include three teams this time.
- The Splatfest world premiere event is August 27 at 9AM PT – it includes rock, paper, and scissors choices
- The Splatoon 3 Invitational Tournament will run on September 5 at “approximately 2PM PT” at PAX West. Nintendo says to follow the Nintendo Versus Twitter account for more info.
The core level list for Splatoon 3 (a total of 12 at launch):
- Scorch Gorch
- Eeltail Alley
- Mincemeat Metalworks
- Undertow Spillway
- Hagglefish Market
- Museum D’alfonsino
- Hammerhead Bridge
- Mahi-Mahi Resort
- Inkblot Art Academy
- Sturgeon Shipyard
- Makomart
- Wahoo World
