I repeat: This is not a drill!

Nintendo announced the release of Splatoon 3 for 2022 during the Nintendo Direct on February 17, 2021.

Now, I will tell you, Splatoon 2 trolls are out there and I have fallen for Splatoon 3 clickbait multiple times just like everyone else has.

So when I saw the yellow graphic that read “Splatoon 3,” I thought nothing of it. The next morning, to my fullest surprise, it was real! Splatoon 3 is in motion to be released in 2022. I still don’t think it has settled in yet. 

I have to make this a huge deal: Splatoon 2 is dead, as in there are no more large-scale events ongoing in the game.

Splatoon 2 used to host 24-hour to weekend events of turf war battles with teams like pancake vs. waffle or knights vs. wizards, or holiday-based games like Easter, and even on new Nintendo game releases like Super Smash Bros. 

For the past three Splatfests, the community has been told that it would be our last. Every time. 

Thankfully but hesitantly, we all participated in the “last” Splatfest, and now we have this great news that hopefully includes new ongoing events in Splatoon 3. 

The main thing I am beyond excited about is the new campaign. I cannot wait to see what new mechanics they put in the game. 

With the new campaign, comes harmony between Inklings and Octolings. This means that there is no connection to your past achievements in Splatoon 2. 

I like this concept because there are people who have been playing that game since 2017 and have reached the max level. They’re obviously overpowered (OP) and I get scared facing them, even though I am a higher-level player. 

The fact that the characters will be either Inkling or Octoling, really levels the playing field again, especially for newer players who have struggled with climbing up the turf war ladder in Splatoon 2.

New weapons are going to be crazy in the new release. In the trailer to Splatoon 3, the first thing they show is a new ink bow. Throughout the trailer, players are using some awesome weapons with new artillery power including specials and secondary bombs. 

Game mechanics should come into play here largely, considering Nintendo has allowed the community to almost completely die out before announcing Splatoon 3. 

My expectations are extremely high for the quality and consistency of games, new content which should include more than three game modes like Splatoon 2 has, and a larger player base. 

I have already seen so much excitement about the new maps in Splatoon 3. The community has been playing on the same maps for years, with the occasional Shifty Station map that came with Splatfests. 

In Splatoon 2, there is a way to make in-game cash through a different game mode called Salmon Run. I expect this new game to have some way to gain in-game currency and gather upgrades to weapons and clothes, but the trailer does not hint at anything.  

Through the new campaign also comes more gender-neutral characteristics and a new buddy who will most likely help you through the game. 

The community is ready for new Splatoon content. Although Nintendo took way too long to put Splatoon 3, I plan on purchasing it as soon as it is available and adding new amiibos to my collection.