Don't Panic, Inklings: Splatoon 4 and Competitive PvP Aren't Going Anywhere
While the upcoming spin-off Splatoon Raiders marks a noticeable pivot from the franchise's traditional competitive multiplayer focus, Nintendo has assured fans that standard PvP play remains central to the series' future—even directly referencing Splatoon 4.
In a recent edition of Nintendo’s "Ask the Developer" series (via Nintendo Life), producer Seita Inoue addressed why the team chose to release a spin-off rather than a mainline sequel. Inoue clarified that despite Raiders taking a different direction, Nintendo will "continue to develop competitive gameplay going forward."
Why Splatoon Raiders Exists
According to Inoue, the decision to hold off on Splatoon 4 and create Raiders came down to a few key goals:
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Fresh Gameplay & Accessibility: Nintendo wanted to experiment with a "slightly different approach to gameplay" while offering a brand-new entry point for players unfamiliar with the franchise.
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Beyond PvP: Pointing to Salmon Run and the single-player story campaigns from previous entries, Inoue noted that the series has never been strictly limited to competitive play.
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Taking a Breath: The studio has been moving "full speed ahead for over 11 years," launching and supporting three mainline titles back-to-back.
Given that Splatoon 3 was a massive commercial hit, a proper Splatoon 4 on the Switch 2 remains an easy bet—and Inoue’s comments practically guarantee it's on the horizon.
Splatoon Raiders launches on Switch 2 this July 23. Early impressions are strong, with GameSpot praising its single-player campaign as "loads of fun" and far superior to previous story modes in the main games.
What We Know So Far
Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5 confirmed that the game is being built for Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, with improved visuals, new mechanics, and environments designed around the storybook theme.
We wanted to create a world that feels like stepping into a storybook — full of wonder, surprises, and discovery around every corner.
— Nintendo EPD Production Group No. 5
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