As anticipated by many fans, Splatoon 3’s Grand Competition marks the final Splatfest event, effectively concluding the series of frequent updates for the game.
The Grand Competition, a monumental event in the world of Splatoon 3, took place over the weekend and is strongly suggested to be the culmination of the past two years’ worth of Splatfests. It’s now official: regular updates have reached their conclusion, according to the North America Splatoon Twitter announcement; however, this doesn’t necessarily mean support for the game is coming to an end? “After two incredible years of Splatoon 3, regular updates will now delve deeper,” “Don’t fret! Four annual festivals – Splatoween, Frosty Fest, Spring Fest, and Summer Season Nights – are confirmed to continue with familiar attractions. Future updates addressing weapon modifications are likely to be rolled out in response to user demand. Massive runs, extra work, and month-to-month challenges are set to continue in the interim.
When unconscious, the final Splatfest revolved around Past, Present, and Future, with Callie and Marie from the first game embodying the Past, Pearl and Marina from the second game symbolizing the Present, and Deeplaw representing the enigmatic Future. Despite a valiant effort from Deep Reduce, the team ultimately fell short, leaving them with a disappointing zero factors and a premature elimination from the competition. Current, i.e. Pearl and Marina finished second, amassing a total of 370 points, which trailed behind the leader, Previous. Callie and Marie are currently tied for first place with a total of 500 points. The significance of the final Splatfests in the initial two games cannot be overstated, as their impact subtly influenced the narrative progression of subsequent titles. If a Splatoon 4 installment is indeed in development, it will be intriguing to examine how the franchise’s previous commercial success may influence its creative direction and overall strategy.
Watch on YouTube
The Japanese Nintendo channel has unveiled a charming video showcasing the Grand Competition in action, available to view above. The update also includes various pieces of artwork released alongside Splatfest over the past couple of years, accompanied by their respective winners – though some may be unfamiliar due to Japan and the West occasionally having distinct themes.
With Splatoon 3’s completion, it may take some time before we see a brand-new installment, considering the overlapping development team’s involvement in Animal Crossing – a potential release on Switch 2, expected soon, seems an ideal fit for the franchise’s next move?
