View source for Splatoon (series)

{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Splatoon'' (series)}}
[[File:Splatoon logo.png|thumb|{{S}}{{'s}} logo]]
{{For|the original game|Splatoon}}

'''''Splatoon''''' is a multimedia franchise based around a series of third-person shooter video games developed by [[Nintendo]].

==History==
===Video games===
At E3 2014, [[Nintendo]] announced {{S}}, the culmination of experiments dating back over a year, to be released in 2015. After an [[Splatoon commercials|extensive marketing campaign]], the game launched for the [[Wii U]] on {{date|2015-05-28}} and continued to be actively supported until late 2016. The series immediately saw success upon the launch of its initial game, selling extremely well across all regions and spawning a franchise across multiple other media.

On {{date|2016-10-20}}, only one month after the final update to ''Splatoon'', Nintendo's reveal trailer for the [[Nintendo Switch]] teased new content in the series for the console. The January 2017 Nintendo Switch Presentation officially revealed it as {{S2}} for a release that summer and eventually launched on {{date|2017-07-21}}. A sequel to the first game, it introduced new [[weapon]]s, [[mode]]s, [[stage|locations]], and [[character]]s to the ''Splatoon'' universe and sold multiple times more copies than the original. The game continues to be supported as of December of 2023.

The March 2018 [[Nintendo Direct]] revealed that the series' first paid DLC, titled the {{OE}}, would be released for ''Splatoon 2'' that summer. It was released on {{date|2018-06-14}} and added new playable characters and an expansive new single-player campaign to the game.

{{S3}} was revealed during the February 2021 Nintendo Direct, and was released on the Nintendo Switch on {{date|2022-09-09}}. It features new weapons, [[Return of the Mammalians|a new single-player story]], and takes place in a new location, [[the Splatlands]].

The February 2023 [[Nintendo Direct]] revealed that ''Splatoon 3'' would receive a two part DLC named the {{S3EP}} where players can revisit [[Inkopolis]] from {{S}}, with Wave 1 - Inkopolis slated for that spring, and Wave 2 - ''Side Order'' slated for the future. Later, Wave 1 - Inkopolis was released {{date|2023-02-28}}.

The September 2023 [[Nintendo Direct]] announced more information about Wave 2 - {{SO}}, said to feature replayable gameplay and take place in a version of [[Inkopolis Square]] from {{S2}}, with a release window of Spring 2024. ''Side Order'' later released on {{date|2024-02-22}}.

===Other media===
In 2016, a [[Splatoon (manga)|manga series]] was officially published in Japan. It follows [[Team Blue]], consisting of [[Goggles (character)|Goggles]], [[Specs]], [[Bobble Hat (character)|Bobble Hat]] and [[Headphones (character)|Headphones]], as they compete against various rival teams in [[Turf War]] cups and [[Ranked Battle]]s. It began to be localized in 2017 and continues to be published into 2023. In 2017, two episodes of the manga got animated and published on YouTube and on a DVD disc.

A second manga series, ''[[Splatoon: Squid Kids Comedy Show]]'', debuted in Japan in 2017. It is a gag manga series of four-panel jokes based on {{S2}} and began to be localized in 2020. This series was published until 2021.

=== Merchandise ===
{{main|Merchandise}}
Nintendo signed license agreements with various [[Merchandise#List of known manufacturers|companies]] to make [[Merchandise|''Splatoon'' branded products]].

==Common elements==
===Plot, themes, and characters===
In both {{S}} and {{S2}}, the player is a new arrival in [[Inkopolis]], a city inhabited mainly by squid-like creatures called [[Inkling]]s, as well as other sea creatures that have adapted to live on land. Here, they compete in ink battles - a sport that involves splattering ink on the ground and at opponents to carry out various objectives - in order to earn popularity and cash which they can use to buy [[gear]] and weapons.

In the original ''Splatoon'', the player arrives at [[Inkopolis Plaza]], where they soon find that the [[Great Zapfish]] that powers the city has been stolen by the [[Octarian]] forces. In order to get it back, they head to [[Octo Valley (location)|Octo Valley]] through a manhole found in the plaza. Once there, the player meets [[Cuttlefish|Cap'n Cuttlefish]], an elderly Inkling who is trying to track down the Great Zapfish. The player then joins forces with him, becoming [[Agent 3 (Splatoon)|Agent 3]] of the New Squidbeak Splatoon, and is tasked with venturing through various locations in Octo Valley to locate and reclaim the Great Zapfish.

In ''Splatoon 2'', the player arrives at [[Inkopolis Square]] two years after the events of the first game, where they learn that [[Callie]] from the [[Squid Sisters]] pop idol group has gone missing, along with the Great Zapfish. The player then spots [[Marie]], Callie's cousin, stood on top of a manhole in the corner of Inkopolis Square and follows her to [[Octo Canyon (location)|Octo Canyon]]. Here, Marie asks the player for help in her search for both the Great Zapfish and Callie. After agreeing to her request, the player then becomes [[Agent 4]] and travels through Octo Canyon to track them down.

In ''[[Octo Expansion]]'', the player is an [[Octoling]] nicknamed [[Agent 8]], who is trapped in the [[Deepsea Metro]] subway system. They soon meet up with Cap'n Cuttlefish and explore further into the subway where they find a [[Commander Tartar|telephone]]. The Telephone tasks them with passing a series of tests in order to collect four [[Thang]]s which will allow them to leave the subway and go to the [[Inkopolis|"promised land"]]. During the tests, Agent 8 receives advice from [[Pearl]] and [[Marina]], who help them to escape the subway.

In ''Splatoon 3'', the player and their companion [[Smallfry (character)|Smallfry]] meet a retired Cuttlefish in [[the Crater]], who names them the new [[Agent 3 (Splatoon 3)|Agent 3]]. Searchin for the Great Zapfish, they end up in a fight with [[DJ Octavio]], with whom they fall into an abyss after the floor underneath them got destroyed by [[Fuzzy Ooze]]. Waking up in [[Alterna]], they meet up with Agent 1, Agent 2 and their Captain, who was the previous holder of the "Agent 3" title. Together, they explore Alterna in search for Cuttlefish while uncovering the mysteries behind the Fuzzy Ooze.

In ''[[Side Order]]'', Agent 8 and Pearl find themselves in the [[Order Sector]], a replication of [[Inkopolis Square]] located in the [[Memverse]], a virtual reality created by Marina. Together with her and [[Acht]], they climb the [[Spire of Order]] to confront its overseer, [[Overlorder|Order]].

===Gameplay mechanics===
''Splatoon'' games are [[wikipedia:Third-person shooter|third person shooters]], meaning that gameplay consists primarily of shooting, and the player character is visible on-screen.

Players use various [[weapon]]s to spray [[ink]] to claim territory and damage opponents. Players can remain in humanoid form to attack, and switch to cephalopod form to submerge in ink. While submerged in ink the player can refill their [[ink tank]], swim to move faster than in humanoid form, or stay still to hide from opponents.

===Locations===
{{Main|Locations}}
{| class="wikitable sitecolor-generic"
|-
! style="width: 7em;" rowspan="2" | Location
! rowspan="2" | Description
! colspan="3" | Games
|-
! style="width: 3em;" | [[File:Splatoon "S" icon.svg|x35px|link=Splatoon]]
! style="width: 3em;" | [[File:Splatoon 2 "2" icon.svg|x35px|link=Splatoon 2]]
! style="width: 3em;" | [[File:Splatoon 3 "3" icon.svg|x35px|link=Splatoon 3]]
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:Inkopolis.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Inkopolis]]'''
| A city inhabited by [[Inkling]]s, [[Octoling]]s, and other sea-dwelling creatures that have adapted to live on land.
| {{yea}}
| {{yea}}
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:S3 first twitter preview - Splattershot.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[The Splatlands]]'''
| A barren region far away from Inkopolis. The intense sun and harsh environment has had a profound effect on its inhabitants. Trendsetting Inklings have been drawn here in recent years.
|
|
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:S3 Inkopolis Plaza.png|275x275px]]<br>'''[[Inkopolis Plaza]]'''
| An area of Inkopolis that serves as the main hub in ''Splatoon''. Inklings can enter [[Inkopolis Tower]] to take part in battles, or go shopping for [[gear]] and [[weapon]]s at [[Booyah Base]]. There is also a manhole in the northeastern corner of the Plaza that connects it to [[Octo Valley (location)|Octo Valley]].
| {{yea}}
|
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:S3 Inkopolis Square promo.jpg|275x275px]]<br>'''[[Inkopolis Square]]'''
| An area of Inkopolis that serves as the main hub in ''Splatoon 2''. Inklings and Octolings can access the [[Deca Tower]] to join battles or buy gear and weapons from the [[Galleria]]. A shady organization known as [[Grizzco Industries]] can be found west of Deca Tower that allows an Inkling or Octoling to participate in a [[Salmon Run]] for unique rewards. A manhole south of the Grizzco building connects the Square to [[Octo Canyon (location)|Octo Canyon]].
|
| {{yea}}
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:S3 Splatsville 2022.jpg|275x275px]]<br>'''[[Splatsville]]'''
| A newly discovered city dubbed the "City of Chaos". This city is located far away from the city of [[Inkopolis]], and is situated in a broader region called [[the Splatlands]]. This area serves as the main hub in ''Splatoon 3''.
|
|
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:S3 Stage Scorch Gorge.png|275px]]<br>'''[[Stage]]s'''
| A wide variety of places in and around Inkopolis, the Splatlands, and their surrounding areas that are popularly used for ink battles on top of their normal purposes. A different selection appears in each game, with some in multiple.
| {{yea}}
| {{yea}}
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:OV hub promo 1.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Octo Valley (location)|Octo Valley]]'''
| A valley located somewhere close to Inkopolis, the [[Octo Valley (mode)|Octo Valley]] single-player campaign takes place here in ''Splatoon''. It is home to the [[Octarian]] civilization.
| {{yea}}
|
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:OC Tentakeel Outpost promo.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Octo Canyon (location)|Octo Canyon]]'''
| A canyon located somewhere close to Inkopolis, the [[Octo Canyon (mode)|Octo Canyon]] single-player campaign takes place here in ''Splatoon 2''. The Octarian civilization lives here.
|
| {{yea}}
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:OE subway platform promo.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Deepsea Metro]]'''
| A mysterious subway system deep beneath Inkopolis, this acts as the base for the [[Kamabo Corporation]] and home to the [[denizens of the deep]]. The main setting of the ''[[Octo Expansion]]''.
|
| {{yea}}
|
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:RotM promo screenshot story Alterna 00.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Alterna]]'''
| The location of ''[[Splatoon 3]]''{{'s}} single-player campaign. It is an underground area made up of multiple islands surrounding the [[Alterna Space Center]].
|
|
| {{yea}}
|-
| style="text-align: center;" | [[File:SO Promo screenshot 18.jpg|275px]]<br>'''[[Order Sector]]'''
|A mysterious world within the [[Memverse]] built of its own rules, that acts as the main setting of {{SO}}. It is a prototype VR simulation created by [[Marina]], and contains a colorless version of Inkopolis Square featuring the [[Spire of Order]].
|
|
| {{yea}}
|}

==Names in other languages==
{{Localized name
|Jap=スプラトゥーン
|JapR=supuratūn
|JapM=Splatoon
|Chi=斯普拉遁<ref group="note">Prior to the official localization of ''Splatoon 3'', the series was referred to locally with titles such as '''喷射战士''' (roughly "Spraying Warriors"), '''喷色卡通''' (roughly "Spray Color Cartoon"), and '''漆彈大作戰''' (roughly "Paintball Battle"). Officially, Nintendo would write "Splatoon" in Latin letters and use either English or Japanese names for specific game-related terms.</ref>
|ChiR=sī pǔ lā dùn
|ChiM=Splatoon
|Kor=스플래툰
|KorR=seupeullaetun
|KorM=Splatoon
}}

=== Translation notes ===
<references group="note"/>

==See also==
* [[List of official websites]]

[[Category:Game information]]

[[es:Splatoon (saga)]]