I see Splatoon 4 exploring the connection between "Song" and "Color. Side Order underlined this when Agent 8's "beat of their heart" restored color the area/world/whatever. It's possible that the "passed the incantation down from Humans" was done in the form of music. Our dreams made into song, absorbed by liquid crystals, and into the bodies of the sea life that would take over the planet.
I kind of hope that splatoon takes some influence on modern obsessions with things from the past, like americas obsession with 90’s culture, or Japans current interest in Showa era nostalgia. It could poke some fun at characters stuck in the past, or give them a voice of some sort. I’m gonna pledge to your patreon if that means encouraging you to make more videoed like this.
For sure, there are lots of subtle details they could include within the hub and world of the game that relate to the theme. I really liked Splatoon 1's 90s inspiration; it would be nice to see similar aesthetics used in the next game. Also, I don't have a patreon, but I appreciate the thought!
I think a game that incorporates the theme of past and time travel well is pokemone Scarlet. The main characters do not ever see the world of the past, but elements of the past (paradox pokemon) are incorporated into the main story of the game, with the only character who we see going to the past being Professor Sada, who we never see the POV of when in the world of the past. So if they wanted to do something with time travel, that would probably be the best way of doing it.
@@racerunner1234 I haven’t played that game myself, but that does sound interesting! I personally think introducing time travel in any form opens a whole can of worms I’d rather the series not get into, but if it does happen, I definitely hope it’s something that like where it’s a singular isolated instance
It is a bit clunky, for example the Paradox pokemon can't breed and can only come from the time machine. After you deactivate for good, how do they still spawn in the world? But besides minor plot holes like that... it's not the best story on earth, especially the Team Star one (like yeesh I'm so scared of these rebellious teenagers) but the time travel stuff doesn’t derail the entire plot since it's millennia away from the past/future where tge pokemon are from. Also, if I had a nickel for every pokemon game which had time travel be a main element of it, I'd have 2 nickels (seperate versions count as 1 game). Legends Arceus had it as well
A good amount of people seem to be convinced of the great turf war idea, whether it be for the whole game or just the hero mode and... aside from any story reasons (because I think you explained it well) my first thought is that the team working on Splatoon would have to double their workload to do that. If it's the whole game, you probably wouldn't have inklings and octolings in the same places since they're at war, so that's different cities, different shops - *and* they'd have to change matchmaking for turf war (since it's actual war now, not just a sport) so that you're fighting against the other team. I can deal with mirror matches for the length of a splatfest, but not a whole game. If it were just the hero mode, again - they probably would have to make two different hero modes for it to make sense. And there's the question of how splatfests would work, or salmon run, etc. They could theoretically solve this by just having either inklings or octolings, but nobody would like that. When you add that on top of everything about the newer weapon classes &etc, I really just can't see any way we visit the Great Turf War outside of either DLC (since those so far have had a different player character) or a spinoff game - and even then, it just doesn't seem like something the series would do. It feels significant that you *can't* go back and see what happens. I love the idea of a game themed around the sea. I've heard a lot of people talking about something possibly set in Calamari County, which I also love the idea of. It'd be really cool to see what other kinds of music come out of the place where the Squid Sisters grew up, if anyone back home was inspired by their success or just happened to do something similar, and get inspired by the folk music there.
Yeah it's one of those things that sounds interesting on paper, but falls apart when you start thinking about how it would actually be implemented. Beyond gameplay issues, the vibes would be... very different... if multiplayer took place during a literal war. It really doesn't seem like something Nintendo would ever do. I'm very on board with the Calamari County idea! I think it would be a great way to incorporate the kind of stuff I was talking about (and indirectly reference the Squid Sisters) without literally going back in time. I wouldn't want the series to lose its urban aesthetic completely, but a hub world that's more out in the country would be a nice change of pace
The multiple hero mode. That’s a great idea. Obviously it would be a logistical nightmare but if they did… what if they did it sonic adventure/06 style where you do the inkling story then Octarian story. Then unlock final story if executed correctly that could be mad
I think it’s also because people have become so attached to the Squidbeak Splatoon/Octarian Menace arc. I think it’s time we should explore new settings in the world and new characters. That’s why I’d like to have an entirely new region, characters, and story for the next game.
The question was about ehich one is important so for the main story i imagine the antagonist or protagonist will be someone who looks towards the future so mich that they firget the importance of the past in hetting them there. Like a "those who dont learn history are doomed to repeat it." Situation
God, I can already see the Xenoblade 3 Future Redeemed comparisons if that happens. I've already seen multiple people comparing Tartar and Mr. Grizz to Moebius, I can practically taste the Alpha speech bubble memes for this hypothetical antagonist.
I have always been a massive fan of the Calamari Inkantation, but over the past 2 weeks I’ve been listening to it again nonstop. It really does feel like the song is etched into my soul at the moment. I would love the see the sea be a crucial part of Splatoon 4’s story and having the song continue to hold significance. I’m a fan of time travel, but please no time travel in Splatoon 4 that would be weird.
As you were talking about the 7 extinct species represented by the statues, it clicked in mind that they could somehow be connected (or in reference to) the 7 Gods of Fortune. When I was thinking about how Splat4 could be influenced by themes of the past, I was mainly thinking aesthetic, rather than the whole motif. I also never would've thought of functionally a port town being the next hub!
I think the next story mode could be in the octarian domes! It's a historically significant place that has changed over time with all the octolings leaving. Inklings could go there to see a different perspective on history and not repeat it. I think the new hub could contrast Splatsville by being in a cooler climate with coniferous trees, mountains as well as fresh water lakes, rivers and ponds. Winter fashion with retro gaming nostalgia would be fitting yet something different.
As someone who has been brainstorming my own ideas for Splatoon 4, I love how many similar ideas I had to you and also how different both of our ideas are. Great video! Thanks for sharing!
There is one more antagonistic force that technically remains: the Jelletons. Despite them supposedly coming fron the Memverse as Marina and the other Octolings designed it, we know beings like Cipher and Order can appear despite not being intended to be present in the program. Not only that, but the weakness in Sea-Cucumber phones that let Order pull people in is still present, so a new force could theoretically arise from the Memverse again using the Jelletons as its mooks. I doubt that they wouldn't choose to reuse the assets of the first new singleplayer mooks they've made in years.
now that i think about it, with the theme of the past, splatoon 4 might go more in-depth about the clans each deep cut member hail from. great video as always. on another note, id love to hear your interpretations of the present and the future through the lyrics of three wishes and lore.
this made me so much more optimistic about splatoon 4! when past was revealed as a theme, i was worried it would be just like the narratives the game as shown aren’t true (characters who focus too much on the past and are somehow, thru the hero’s actions, shown a different way of being). this is a much more optimistic take of learning from the past so we can continue into the future that i really like! thank you for always making such profound splatoon videos
Looking at the lyrics to Callie and Marie's verse from Three Wishes, I think it'd be great if the fourth game has themes of legacy, mentorship, and innovation within tradition. A lot of people have commented on how Ebb and Flow is very much Off the Hook's equivalent to Calamari Inkantation: it's their most iconic song that's gotten remixed multiple times, once for their verse in Rainbow Color Incantation, once in Spectrum Obligato, and while I haven't played Side Order, I've seen in those comments that there's an enemy or NPC who comments they can't stop dancing to the song the same way Calamari Inkantation takes ahold of any inkfish who hear it. Personally, I think it'd be great to have the main musical group of Splatoon 4 be trying to create their own Calamari Inkantation. Rather than doing a remix of it, they're trying to make their own song that can do what Calamari Inkantation does, reach the hearts of any inkfish and change the world. And maybe the player helps them reach that goal through the story mode, like maybe they had an argument and split up and you're trying to get the band back together and help them find the inspiration to finish their song! This is just my own desires (and the Bocchi the Rock fan in me) talking, but I've been hoping for a while that Splatoon 4's musical group will be a classic four-person rock band. I think it'd be a great way to tie into the kind of story you were talking about, too, with how rock music is simultaneously considered historical and associated with rebellion. It has such a long history that's still ongoing and being iterated on by lots of different groups in lots of different parts of the world, and it has this way of being able to mix with so many different styles of music. You can mix rock music with hip hop, with classical music, and with folk music from lots of different countries and cultures. I think that for a story about learning from the past to build a road to the future, rock music and a rock band would make a great thematic fit.
You haven't talked about how Small Fry did change thanks to the sea life responding to Kalamari Inkantation, another hint to how its present in the DNA of all marine life
im so glad that you're against the great turf war as well because oh my god it feels so annoying seeing people hoping for the great turf war when realistically it wouldn't even happen due to a multitude of factors
awesome video and theory! i admit ive been thinking that a prequel could be cool, but your video definitely convinced me that there are much MUCH better directions they could take the story in the next game!! i really love your idea that the central theme could/should be about learning from the past, and you did a great job laying out how well it would fit into splatoon’s pre established stories/lore
Importantly, Splatoon 3's Grandfest final lines remark that "Despite everything, we'll aim for the future, together!" -Deep Cut, 2024. I don't think the game will ever have us going to the actual past. But we'll continue to the future, also... hmn. I think the Past angle here will have to be the Setting. And Story. But without Time travel.
Personally it's gotta be a very old town that has a bunch of history. And we may see idols inspired by Shrine Maidens but still modernized like Splat 1 through Splat 3's idol groups. Personally... there is a phenomenon in Japan about Idol Groups. Local women who formed an idol group to represent their province or village. For example say... a province known for its apple produce and products, would have an apple-related idol group. I think Splat 4's Idol group may represent this more. But also all the other splatoon games have represented that too. The idols brought commerce, fortune, and attention to their areas where they reside.
I bet since splatoon 4 will be centered around past and nostalgia, i wish the idols make music related to the past but in a modern setting. Like the music genres of citypop or lofi! And for the battles, the return of punk rock and other genres, i wish Hightide Era and Bottom Feeders return. Some people wish the hub takes place in the Calamari County, but i hope the splatoon 4 hub gets located in a completely different place. We clearly have hints that civilization is in the rest of the world like ours, in the alterna logs we see the paths of the ancient marine life that spread after the events of Alterna. Also that Off The Hook went on a world tour during the first half of Splatoon 3's lifespan until of course Side Order, clearly showing that other countries exist besides Inkadia. And the most interesting fact is that there is a fully drawn world map in Sheldon's Shop. So taking all of this in mind I hope the next game takes place in another continent, where they have a different culture but still having stuff from the other games. Maybe having different designs for inklings and octolings and maybe a new playable species!
one thing i hope for but it's probably impossible because nintendo most likely forgot about it, is that the idols of the next game are those two inkling girls found in a poster in oe im pretty sure, like i imagine them being super popular idols since the squid sisters and oth were children and their popularity died down, but they made a comeback in their 30s or 40s (or i just want more content of them 😞)
Very good video. I wasn't considering that the sea could be more focused on with Past in mind but since it seems that there would be more connection to the sea I was already strongly thinking that the next setting will be south to Inkopolis and close to the sea so that for gameplay perspective there would still be connection to the other cities for returning stages as well as Salmonid Swim Zones, with Salmonids likely becoming the next thing touched upon. There is build up for more Salmon Run connections after all, which makes a near-sea setting the most logical assumption. But I also believe that Team Past will lead to an in-universe trend to adapt more retro into current trends, like when people get into stuff from the 80s or 90s. Another direction could be a more traditionally rooted city setting.
It doesn't have to be a time travel mechanic but what about something with memories, like something unlockable during story mode levels. Since we saw manipulations of those concepts in the dlc. Imagine the "normal" gameplay of a level suddenly transformed into a flashback about the great turf war like survive 30 seconds in this scenario (girl power station or another level like this) and gaining some kinda of buff or clothes if you survive. Just throwing ideas about this theme since it looks like people didn't like the idea of some sort cyberpunk splatoon.
I REALLY want the bosses in Splatoon 4 to reflect extinct aquatic animals, as I think it'd incorporate the past theming pretty well! Extra lore and info would be needed for them, but I think that could be worked out easily by making the bosses mechanical or something (but I think some people won't like repurposing the idea of making some of the bosses mechanisms.) Setting AND gameplay wise for the story mode, I do wanna see them utilize the danger hazard thing they did with Side Order, and maybe incorporate real life biomes in the ocean (maybe something like a brine pool that lets enemies deal double damage towards the player.) Perhaps the setting of the story mode could be a troubled town that requires help? An abandoned cephalopod city of old that was overtaken by the game's antagonist species? I've got plenty of ideas for the characters in Splatoon 4, such as characters that are stuck to tradition and cherish the past to the point where they don't embrace the present and future, characters that hate their past and have many regrets (such as Marina to an extent) and learn to live with them, and maybe even a character that becomes too absorbed or optimistic into the future. I like the idea of Callie and Marie's perspective of the world as it gives us a better look into their minds and views, but I also want to see more perspectives and takes regarding characters. We already have plenty of characters with vastly different views, and I hope we can get more to come! I also love the idea of the inkfish learning from the past or even repeating it, as the societies we've seen thus far have... lots of issues, in multiple aspects. ALSO NINTENDO PLEASE GIVE US SOME OCEAN THEMED BOSSES I WANNA SEE A TULLY MONSTER IN SPLATOON PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEE
I really wish the past will influence gameplay and map design. It informs what works in past (lemuria hub, gimmick maps, and squiffer with bomb and kraken) and and what did not work (saltspray rig, certain splatlings getting ink jet).
I think it's difficult to incorporate the theme into gameplay for a number of reasons. Choosing what to bring back from previous games is something that would happen during development regardless of the Fest winner, and determining what did and didn't "work" is pretty subjective. I obviously want the next game to be a culmination of the best parts of Splatoon 1-3, but I feel like focusing too hard on the theme of "Past" would only hold back the devs from trying new ideas. The aesthetic and narrative are more malleable, but I think the core gameplay should be something that's always evolving
@TheCosmicCloud I understand the concern for wanting the developers to try new things, but balance wise, certain weapons definitely need a buff. The usage rate for weapons such as umbrellas (outside of tent) has not gone up over time. A good determination for dealing with the subjectivity issues with the game would be to see the usage rates of competitive gameplay and suggestions of kit ideas and map reworks from the community. Typically, the competitive and X rank scene have a clear understanding of how weapons should be buffed or nerfed or good ideas of kits since they know the weaknesses of each weapon. Certain kits simply don't work like how squiffer received a big bubbler and point sensor, which makes it susceptible to being rushed down, and I don't understand why the developers keep giving this bad kit. What I am hoping is that once they look into the past, the developers will look into kits like the few from Splatoon 1 that created good "synergistic" kits that cover weapon weaknesses and maps like shifty stations which had amazing concepts that never came into main map modes. Examples include the grind rail shifty station (splatoon 2) and the red squiffer (splatoon 1), which had a splat bomb and kraken. Yes, certain weapons may need to be avoided since they barely have weaknesses (most shooters and even buckets like machines), but anchor, skirmisher, semi automatic weapons, and a few support weapons definitely need consideration for strong kits. Plus, maps in splatoon 3 feel like they're boring or bad, such as the new Hammerhead Bridge or Brindwater springs. They maps are hallways.
I think this is one of the best analysis videos I’ve seen on anything ever. The connections and deep thinking made in regard to not only Splatoon 4 but the entire series as a whole was some of the strongest interpretations I’ve seen done for a video game. Incredible work.
Phenomenal editing to your writing! Watching and listening to this was such a joy, and I especially loved the shot going from a video to the switch screen at 17:32 . Great stuff!!
I personally really like Inkopolis and wouldn't mind returning to it, but I sorta feel like Splatsville set the precedent of getting a new city for each game from now on. Plus, it would be cool to get to see more of Splatoon's world. A city plaza on a bay would definitely make for a really cool hub world though!
I used to think of the Calamari Inkantation in a way that made it not make sense if it were passed down by humans. Seeing the idea in a new lens has convinced me
These ideas for the game are so amazing. I mostly believed that it would be amazing if they went for something similar to different games out there, free world-ing slightly and for the single player, taking in the concept of when you choose an octoling you need to face the world in a certain way, while if you choose an inkling you have to choose how to deal with the acceptance of the world changing, similar to the Side Order story. Since Splatoon sometimes also takes in deep meanings, it could take in the concept of something going in the real world, involving everyone in the world. Atleast that’s what I think would be a great change to the game. Great video other than that, never disappoints.
I’m hyped to look back on this video when we actually see splatoon 4 lmao I love all of your ideas even if I feel they’ll likely hinge on nostalgic aesthetics as the main identity of the title (i.e. 2000’s nostalgia)
Great video, definitely feel more optimistic about Splatoon 4 now. The only way I could see time travel work as a story element work is if it’s a memory, like how in Breath of The Wild DLC you can refight the blights as if you were the champions, yet they serve only as memories of the champions. Using those memories can then influence the character’s forward progression. Another example is learning from the past, is Marina herself. She came from an oppressive society, used to think stable was great but learned from those into the character she is now, seeing the change that has come from those things in her now past.
Playable memories could be really cool! I would be interested to see if they could tie that into the gameplay structure of the singleplayer; maybe "present" levels and "past" levels would play differently? Definitely a lot of potential there. I do really like Marina as a character, but between her past in the army, the events of Octo Expansion, and her growth by the end Side Order, she's already one of, if not THE most developed characters in the series. I personally hope s4 will explore brand new settings and characters as much as possible
Great work as always, my dude! I love the way you always tie the discussion of the lore back onto the overarching themes of Splatoon, and your ideas about what Splatoon 4 could be have me genuinely intrigued for what they might do when the game does came. I especially loved the interpretation of the sea as a representation of the past, it’s a very beautiful analogy. Great job man
Personally, I’ve been picturing Splatoon 4 having a traditional Japanese setting, like a more rural town in the countryside compared to the urban Inkopolis and Splatsville. I’ve thought about Calamari County possibly being a good choice, since that was the home of the Squid Sisters, and I’m pretty sure it was stated to be a lot more culturally traditional than the cities. Having a more traditional Japanese setting would set 4 apart from 1’s youthful cheer, 2’s urban attitude and 3’s chaotic struggle. I’d love to see the “poster map” (the map seen in most of the marketing, like Urchin and Scorch) take place in a Japanese dojo, resembling Ninja Hideaway from Mario Kart, and the idol group could flat-out be shrine maidens who could have potentially been inspired by the Squid Sisters. However, your idea for Splatoon 4 shows a lot of promise as well. You honestly have a far more interesting idea for a base story mode than me, and, should they play their cards right, it could be a highly memorable and impactful story mode, bringing a spark back to the series that hasn’t truly been seen since Octo Expansion in my eyes. The seaside setting and Japanese architecture could honestly work hand-in-hand and make an engaging setting. I hope it gets us a proper beach map, too, we’re well overdue for one. Great video! You clearly know your stuff when it comes to Splatoon and its themes.
The experience of me watching a Cosmic Cloud video CC: "Let's talk about this famous plot device." Me: "Yeah! I love that plot device!" CC: "Actually that plot device is stupid and will never be in Splatoon!" Me: :((
he's so right tho, whenever people started bringing up time travel it made me so upset because half of splatoon's awesomeness is changing with our own time, it's 2024 for the inkfish as well and that's so cool, time travel would DESTROY that
Rising tides give more territory over to the Salmonids, jeopardizing Inkfish homes and lands. Put me in a lobster boat and give me an ocean to explore Wind Waker style. Give me a grizzled sea captain sidekick that's buddies with Cuddlefish. Make me fight salmonids with a past grudge hung up on a past conflict. Have the game culminate in you fighting a leviathan salmonid using a Crab Tank styled Lobster Battleship. Salmonid raid the battleship. Make me cry 30 times along the way.
23:19 I think that the reason that the octolings wanted to leave the underground after hearing the calamari inkantation, is because the humans who were singing the song also wanted to leave the alternan underground.
I kinda want the next game to take place BEFORE the great turf war, right as tensions start to brew. I think it would be cool, and give us more ideas and lore about Octavio and Cuttlefish.
The idea I had in mind for a new mainline entry was to continue more of the general theme of unity found in Grand Festival and create a setting portrayed as a utopia (located in the Anarchy Bay found on the Inkadia/Splatlands map) for all sea creatures. However, there are clear issues with the founders idea of a utopia, aka the game's Idol Group, that mimics a lot of the ignorance of both humans and Inkfish despite their optimism. Elements of positive and/or negative would shine depending on which story mode is played on, one for each idol group and their values, and their perspective. For example, Deep Cut would see the utopia/idol group as a threat to Anarchy as it tries to oppress the various cultures into following the dominated values and beliefs. I will admit the Past's effects do seem a bit tame in comparison to the impact Splatoon 2 left on 3, but I feel like it still plays a large role in the setting and influence of new characters like the video discussed.
As a member of team Past, Callie and Marie's perspective on it is very similar to my own. I had a really hard time picking a team when the Grand Fest was announced and it took me weeks to get my head around it, but I eventually decided that even though the things in the past aren't always happy memories, that it's important to not forget about them in order to learn and grow. Big ramble incoming, but I have some thoughts on this topic. I understand that most people think that Li'l Judd is going to be the main antagonist of Splatoon 4, but I actually think he is more likely going to play a part in the potential DLC than the main campaign. Why? Simple. Team past has given Splatoon 4 the first opportunity to have a Inkling main antagonist. As a juxtaposition to DJ Octavio who represents the main problems with Octarian society, they could have an antagonist who embodies the main problems with Inkling society. A character who is ignorant, selfish and doesn't learn from past mistakes and history. You could easily tie it into modern problems with ever progressing technology that is becoming dangerous and out of hand, someone who believes in "progress" above all else but ironically repeats the mistakes of those before them. I don't want to have to bring in modern "politics" into this, but it does start to sound like certain big shot tech industry people who are causing a lot of harm right now. With the rise of AI and blockchain technology leading to increased energy consumption wich is a risk to climate change, yeah it's super topical. (not to mention the ethics of generative AI in general and where Nintendo as a company clearly stands on this issue but let's not get into that right now okay.) That's some of my thoughts anyways. I also think Splatoon 4 is a good opportunity to expand the theme of diversity with "going back to your routes" and such. I mean a lot of what I'm thinking about is in regard to Deep Cut in particular since I don't think their story is quite over, and I think they might take the mantle of leading the main campaign away from The Squid Sisters, who's story is fully over now after Splatoon 3. As much as I love them, I think it's time for them to take a back seat in the next game and just have a few mentions or sunken scroll cameos. As for Off the Hook and the new potential idol group of the next game, we will have to see.
Though I would personally love to have a Legends Arceus vibe in Splatoon 4 with past and Ninja motifs. That doesn’t mean that it should take place in the literal past. The 4th game should still take place in the Present as time progresses.
I'm so certain time travel will happen, but don't worry they'll find a way to make people like it. Throughout splat 3 they've been shoving past iconography down our throats. The most blatant being the back to the future and other old classics Easter eggs in the grizzco special gears. It can definitely work some way, maybe WE aren't going back in time, but somehow the past is coming to US, or something idk, I'd also love to see some future shenanigans.
But if there IS time travel, maybe Agent 8 will fall into a giant tub of ink and go back to 1985 and see Springtrap murder the 5 children…wait wrong game.
I love the idea of the game having reverence for the sea. I had the idea that Splat 4 will take place in a Hawai'i inspired area, one because I want a game that takes place further away from where the first three games have taken place and two because I think it'd thematically work well with the past theme.
Maybe the new main hub could be a history museam that you can walk in and out of where all the inklings and octolings could be hanging out. I think it would be a funny idea if all these rowdy teenagers decided to make learning about their history trendy beacuse of a splatfest. Instead of chaos, it could be a chill enviroment. Maybe in the new game the inklings would be full grow adults considering how they seem age with the games. All these college age people hanging out in a museam buying coffee, learning, walking around, occasionally walking home or to the gear shops nearby or doing turf wars. I dont know just my idea. I think it fits beacuse it still involves the past, but in the eyes of people in the future who are enjoying the present. Lol idk. You probably get what I mean. Your idea is much better though😅
I like to imagine it could be set in an old Japanese type town and have the lore be about the how the town was creating and the idols of this game are called the Idol Coral because it’s two idol groups with two idols in each. In total that would make 4 idols. The main story mode would be about the past of the salmoids. The DLC, would be called New Future since the dlc is the opposite of the winner. It’s about how the town is fake and a virtual Reality that is trying to erase the memories of the Great Turf and the people involved having the story mode revolve around getting back the people from the previous Splatoon games. The whole VR would answer many questions like why new weapons are there, and other things.
I'd say it's not ever been too clear how the theme shapes the next game, but specifically because we have yet to get a Splatoon game that wasn't rushed or filled with bad development. Splatoon 2? Was Marie the guide because Team Marie won? A lot of people suspect that Marie and Callie's roles would've been flipped if Team Callie won, but are we really sure? Or if Team Callie had won, would we just look at how Callie being the villain, she is the main focus of the singleplayer of Splatoon 2, and we would think that's because Team Callie won even if there was no difference in the story than what we ended up getting? And Chaos vs Order? It's very well known and pointed out how Splatoon 3 had almost nothing to do with Chaos outside of Deep Cut, about two maps, and the desert. Because all of the rest of the game is about Team Order. Alterna? Order. Splatsville? Order. A lot of the multiplayer maps (trains stations, airports, etc)? Order. And then we got a whole DLC focused on Team Order afterword. Team Chaos didn't get shit for Splatoon 3 despite being the winning team. But we also know that Splatoon 3's development was terrible and the game had a lot of new developers who were inexperienced and could easily be to blame. A lot of people have grand ambitions for Splatoon 4 because of the Grand Festival, but many of them are thinking way too high and it shows. We're not getting a prequel, and we were not going to get a game set in the future if Future had won. The game we will get was always going to be set in the same time frame (however many years after 3, because the games are always consistent with that) and Lil Judd is pretty obviously going to be the villain as Splatoon always sets up the next villains in the previous games before the theme is even decided, just as Mr Grizz was always going to be the villain of Splatoon 3 no matter if it was Chaos or Order. If we get another rushed a lazily made game, the game will probably only slightly take the theme into account, but if we get a true, fully developed sequel like we deserve (especially since Switch 2 will be backward compatible either way so we're not in a rush for a new Splatoon game), then hopefully the theme will be a large part of the game's aesthetic, maybe having more traditional-designed settings and everything. But all of this depends on that "if" obviously.
I can see there being elements of what team present would have had being incorporated aswell with this being the only final fest to have popularity and overall winner be different teams especially with just how uneaven the team were or just dragging Pearl and Marina into whatever the conflict is because thats why most people were on team present anyways The Great Turfwar would make for a interesting setting for a spin off game or manga so it doesn't hamper the main story and progression but honesty id rather leave it untouched the mystery is part is part of why people like the idea so much and getting something that doesn't meet that would be a disappointment
As a deltron and Splatoon fan I find it really funny that you use deltron as the one that's going to replace Splatoon if some bonkers ass shit happens in Splatoon lore😂😂.
Before I start the video, I wanna leave this comment here. I chose Team Past because of what it meant to me, personally. Because of why I clutch to my past. Because what that fight, that cause meant to me. Because I desired to fight for the sake of fighting for my cause, in a last stand. But I did not intend to win that last stand. I was fighting for the sake of fighting for my cause, not for the sake of victory. My intent was to, in a sense, go out in a blaze of glory, and be content in knowing how hard I fought for my cause. But I never intended to win... I never truly _wanted_ Past to win. Personally, I felt Team Future was most deserving of victory. It should have been them who won. Not me, some crusty, dusty, sentimental fool... Yet, here we are.
i never understood why people thought splatoon 3s final fest wouldnt effect the next game. all the direct said was that the storymode would change and new characters would be introduced. either way id still buy nintendos slop.
You don't have to but I had a thought while watching this video since Splatoon just continuously has DLCs Splatoon Force DLC could be about past or present or maybe two waves of DLC both single player or something that's what they did with Chaos versus order
Come to think of it, humanity have been celebrate the past of their ancestors for years now either it's a culture or just a individual believe and seeing inkling & octoling doing the same thing as a human used to does it's feel like we see ourselves in the mirror and recognize all the things that was holding humanity from progress further was there from the beginning of the life circle yet we acknowledge it just to ignore it completely or make the same mistake
I humored an idea with a friend that what if the Grand Festival not determined what the Splatoon 4 Campaign was gonna be but what the 3rd Wave of DLC for Splatoon 3 would be but that’s just pure cope for this game lmao, I’m aware this is probably not how it’s going.
"Splatoon is optimistic" tell that to it's players /hj But another great video where I can def say this is something i've more or less felt the same way but you put it really nicely into words and also given me some new insight here and there about some things too (basically one of those videos I can just share to say "These are how I feel abt things lmao") and once again reminding me "oh yeah thats why I love this dumb ass series" Never thought of the sea like that either, I mean I kind of have but not that deeply, would actually be kinda cool And god please dont involve time travel I swear to fucking god
9:42 ok but like. the human part is wrapped up via ROTM explaining how humanity truly ended. the story can be using time travel to the great turf war or maybe even a different important event like more deep cuts story or smth. Like ur just nitpicking 😭😭 like a lot of ur counters to the time travel aspect are kinda dumb sorry
Hi I made a video a few days ago about my ideas on Splatoon3s story mode. I was inspired by your channel and videos, "why lore is important" in particular. I think some of my ideas could work for Splatoon4 as well. I'd love for you to check it out if you have the time.
I was Past, and i won.. I do not want Salmon Run back in Splatoon 4 because it's a crap mode for Filthy Casuals imo. And i want Splatoon 1 Nostalgia feel. I will still buy Splatoon 4, because i was sick of this crap from the Splatoon Community like Salmon Run, People bitching about the kits and maps, and the devide in the Community, i would love it to be OG Splatoon Again.
I don’t think we’ll get anything to do with the past The past shouldn’t have won the grand fest I doubt we’ll get anything to do with the past or the great turf war Team past shouldn’t have won
I disliked this video because most of it felt like filler with very little in the way of meaningful speculation and theories. I do like a seaside local for the next game as a hub area that could be attacked by salmoniades sounds cool
The idea of calamari inkantation being passed by humans to inklings gave me chills, great video
Same
no same i had to pause
I see Splatoon 4 exploring the connection between "Song" and "Color. Side Order underlined this when Agent 8's "beat of their heart" restored color the area/world/whatever. It's possible that the "passed the incantation down from Humans" was done in the form of music. Our dreams made into song, absorbed by liquid crystals, and into the bodies of the sea life that would take over the planet.
if this doesn't become splatoon 4, then i'm using it to write a book because this is so well written and would be so bad to lose
I kind of hope that splatoon takes some influence on modern obsessions with things from the past, like americas obsession with 90’s culture, or Japans current interest in Showa era nostalgia. It could poke some fun at characters stuck in the past, or give them a voice of some sort. I’m gonna pledge to your patreon if that means encouraging you to make more videoed like this.
For sure, there are lots of subtle details they could include within the hub and world of the game that relate to the theme. I really liked Splatoon 1's 90s inspiration; it would be nice to see similar aesthetics used in the next game.
Also, I don't have a patreon, but I appreciate the thought!
I think a game that incorporates the theme of past and time travel well is pokemone Scarlet. The main characters do not ever see the world of the past, but elements of the past (paradox pokemon) are incorporated into the main story of the game, with the only character who we see going to the past being Professor Sada, who we never see the POV of when in the world of the past. So if they wanted to do something with time travel, that would probably be the best way of doing it.
@@racerunner1234 I haven’t played that game myself, but that does sound interesting! I personally think introducing time travel in any form opens a whole can of worms I’d rather the series not get into, but if it does happen, I definitely hope it’s something that like where it’s a singular isolated instance
It is a bit clunky, for example the Paradox pokemon can't breed and can only come from the time machine. After you deactivate for good, how do they still spawn in the world? But besides minor plot holes like that... it's not the best story on earth, especially the Team Star one (like yeesh I'm so scared of these rebellious teenagers) but the time travel stuff doesn’t derail the entire plot since it's millennia away from the past/future where tge pokemon are from.
Also, if I had a nickel for every pokemon game which had time travel be a main element of it, I'd have 2 nickels (seperate versions count as 1 game). Legends Arceus had it as well
@@Noteturtle90 Hey don't diss my boys Team Star like that
@@TheCosmicCloud the time travel in S/V is more akin to S/M's Ultra Wormholes. Invasive.
A good amount of people seem to be convinced of the great turf war idea, whether it be for the whole game or just the hero mode and... aside from any story reasons (because I think you explained it well) my first thought is that the team working on Splatoon would have to double their workload to do that. If it's the whole game, you probably wouldn't have inklings and octolings in the same places since they're at war, so that's different cities, different shops - *and* they'd have to change matchmaking for turf war (since it's actual war now, not just a sport) so that you're fighting against the other team. I can deal with mirror matches for the length of a splatfest, but not a whole game. If it were just the hero mode, again - they probably would have to make two different hero modes for it to make sense. And there's the question of how splatfests would work, or salmon run, etc.
They could theoretically solve this by just having either inklings or octolings, but nobody would like that. When you add that on top of everything about the newer weapon classes &etc, I really just can't see any way we visit the Great Turf War outside of either DLC (since those so far have had a different player character) or a spinoff game - and even then, it just doesn't seem like something the series would do. It feels significant that you *can't* go back and see what happens.
I love the idea of a game themed around the sea. I've heard a lot of people talking about something possibly set in Calamari County, which I also love the idea of. It'd be really cool to see what other kinds of music come out of the place where the Squid Sisters grew up, if anyone back home was inspired by their success or just happened to do something similar, and get inspired by the folk music there.
Yeah it's one of those things that sounds interesting on paper, but falls apart when you start thinking about how it would actually be implemented. Beyond gameplay issues, the vibes would be... very different... if multiplayer took place during a literal war. It really doesn't seem like something Nintendo would ever do.
I'm very on board with the Calamari County idea! I think it would be a great way to incorporate the kind of stuff I was talking about (and indirectly reference the Squid Sisters) without literally going back in time. I wouldn't want the series to lose its urban aesthetic completely, but a hub world that's more out in the country would be a nice change of pace
The multiple hero mode. That’s a great idea. Obviously it would be a logistical nightmare but if they did… what if they did it sonic adventure/06 style where you do the inkling story then Octarian story. Then unlock final story if executed correctly that could be mad
I think it’s also because people have become so attached to the Squidbeak Splatoon/Octarian Menace arc. I think it’s time we should explore new settings in the world and new characters. That’s why I’d like to have an entirely new region, characters, and story for the next game.
The question was about ehich one is important so for the main story i imagine the antagonist or protagonist will be someone who looks towards the future so mich that they firget the importance of the past in hetting them there. Like a "those who dont learn history are doomed to repeat it." Situation
God, I can already see the Xenoblade 3 Future Redeemed comparisons if that happens. I've already seen multiple people comparing Tartar and Mr. Grizz to Moebius, I can practically taste the Alpha speech bubble memes for this hypothetical antagonist.
I have always been a massive fan of the Calamari Inkantation, but over the past 2 weeks I’ve been listening to it again nonstop. It really does feel like the song is etched into my soul at the moment. I would love the see the sea be a crucial part of Splatoon 4’s story and having the song continue to hold significance. I’m a fan of time travel, but please no time travel in Splatoon 4 that would be weird.
As you were talking about the 7 extinct species represented by the statues, it clicked in mind that they could somehow be connected (or in reference to) the 7 Gods of Fortune.
When I was thinking about how Splat4 could be influenced by themes of the past, I was mainly thinking aesthetic, rather than the whole motif. I also never would've thought of functionally a port town being the next hub!
I think the next story mode could be in the octarian domes! It's a historically significant place that has changed over time with all the octolings leaving. Inklings could go there to see a different perspective on history and not repeat it.
I think the new hub could contrast Splatsville by being in a cooler climate with coniferous trees, mountains as well as fresh water lakes, rivers and ponds. Winter fashion with retro gaming nostalgia would be fitting yet something different.
I think we’ve had enough of the Octarian Menace arc of Splatoon. It’s time we should have new enemies and a new setting.
So, it would be kinda like a hub if Team Order had won, I like it!
As someone who has been brainstorming my own ideas for Splatoon 4, I love how many similar ideas I had to you and also how different both of our ideas are. Great video! Thanks for sharing!
There is one more antagonistic force that technically remains: the Jelletons. Despite them supposedly coming fron the Memverse as Marina and the other Octolings designed it, we know beings like Cipher and Order can appear despite not being intended to be present in the program. Not only that, but the weakness in Sea-Cucumber phones that let Order pull people in is still present, so a new force could theoretically arise from the Memverse again using the Jelletons as its mooks. I doubt that they wouldn't choose to reuse the assets of the first new singleplayer mooks they've made in years.
As a Team Present Ruler, I can rightfully say that Team Past winning was the best outcome.
now that i think about it, with the theme of the past, splatoon 4 might go more in-depth about the clans each deep cut member hail from. great video as always. on another note, id love to hear your interpretations of the present and the future through the lyrics of three wishes and lore.
this made me so much more optimistic about splatoon 4! when past was revealed as a theme, i was worried it would be just like the narratives the game as shown aren’t true (characters who focus too much on the past and are somehow, thru the hero’s actions, shown a different way of being). this is a much more optimistic take of learning from the past so we can continue into the future that i really like! thank you for always making such profound splatoon videos
Looking at the lyrics to Callie and Marie's verse from Three Wishes, I think it'd be great if the fourth game has themes of legacy, mentorship, and innovation within tradition. A lot of people have commented on how Ebb and Flow is very much Off the Hook's equivalent to Calamari Inkantation: it's their most iconic song that's gotten remixed multiple times, once for their verse in Rainbow Color Incantation, once in Spectrum Obligato, and while I haven't played Side Order, I've seen in those comments that there's an enemy or NPC who comments they can't stop dancing to the song the same way Calamari Inkantation takes ahold of any inkfish who hear it.
Personally, I think it'd be great to have the main musical group of Splatoon 4 be trying to create their own Calamari Inkantation. Rather than doing a remix of it, they're trying to make their own song that can do what Calamari Inkantation does, reach the hearts of any inkfish and change the world. And maybe the player helps them reach that goal through the story mode, like maybe they had an argument and split up and you're trying to get the band back together and help them find the inspiration to finish their song!
This is just my own desires (and the Bocchi the Rock fan in me) talking, but I've been hoping for a while that Splatoon 4's musical group will be a classic four-person rock band. I think it'd be a great way to tie into the kind of story you were talking about, too, with how rock music is simultaneously considered historical and associated with rebellion. It has such a long history that's still ongoing and being iterated on by lots of different groups in lots of different parts of the world, and it has this way of being able to mix with so many different styles of music. You can mix rock music with hip hop, with classical music, and with folk music from lots of different countries and cultures. I think that for a story about learning from the past to build a road to the future, rock music and a rock band would make a great thematic fit.
You haven't talked about how Small Fry did change thanks to the sea life responding to Kalamari Inkantation, another hint to how its present in the DNA of all marine life
im so glad that you're against the great turf war as well because oh my god it feels so annoying seeing people hoping for the great turf war when realistically it wouldn't even happen due to a multitude of factors
awesome video and theory! i admit ive been thinking that a prequel could be cool, but your video definitely convinced me that there are much MUCH better directions they could take the story in the next game!! i really love your idea that the central theme could/should be about learning from the past, and you did a great job laying out how well it would fit into splatoon’s pre established stories/lore
Importantly, Splatoon 3's Grandfest final lines remark that "Despite everything, we'll aim for the future, together!" -Deep Cut, 2024.
I don't think the game will ever have us going to the actual past. But we'll continue to the future, also... hmn. I think the Past angle here will have to be the Setting. And Story. But without Time travel.
Personally it's gotta be a very old town that has a bunch of history. And we may see idols inspired by Shrine Maidens but still modernized like Splat 1 through Splat 3's idol groups.
Personally... there is a phenomenon in Japan about Idol Groups. Local women who formed an idol group to represent their province or village. For example say... a province known for its apple produce and products, would have an apple-related idol group.
I think Splat 4's Idol group may represent this more. But also all the other splatoon games have represented that too. The idols brought commerce, fortune, and attention to their areas where they reside.
fucking hell.. you played a _teeny snippet_ of Three Wishes and I immediately felt tears welling up. That song, man.
That one sound that makes you feel nostalgic. Except this time, it’s not quite nostalgia
@@torinbrown7299But it is a form of nostalgia. Tomorrow's nostalgia.
Today.
I bet since splatoon 4 will be centered around past and nostalgia, i wish the idols make music related to the past but in a modern setting. Like the music genres of citypop or lofi! And for the battles, the return of punk rock and other genres, i wish Hightide Era and Bottom Feeders return.
Some people wish the hub takes place in the Calamari County, but i hope the splatoon 4 hub gets located in a completely different place. We clearly have hints that civilization is in the rest of the world like ours, in the alterna logs we see the paths of the ancient marine life that spread after the events of Alterna. Also that Off The Hook went on a world tour during the first half of Splatoon 3's lifespan until of course Side Order, clearly showing that other countries exist besides Inkadia. And the most interesting fact is that there is a fully drawn world map in Sheldon's Shop.
So taking all of this in mind I hope the next game takes place in another continent, where they have a different culture but still having stuff from the other games. Maybe having different designs for inklings and octolings and maybe a new playable species!
one thing i hope for but it's probably impossible because nintendo most likely forgot about it, is that the idols of the next game are those two inkling girls found in a poster in oe im pretty sure, like i imagine them being super popular idols since the squid sisters and oth were children and their popularity died down, but they made a comeback in their 30s or 40s (or i just want more content of them 😞)
Only thing that might affect actual gameplay is how old the weapons look
A swashbuckling, sea fairing adventure in a Splatoon game would be Sooooo sick
Very good video.
I wasn't considering that the sea could be more focused on with Past in mind but since it seems that there would be more connection to the sea I was already strongly thinking that the next setting will be south to Inkopolis and close to the sea so that for gameplay perspective there would still be connection to the other cities for returning stages as well as Salmonid Swim Zones, with Salmonids likely becoming the next thing touched upon. There is build up for more Salmon Run connections after all, which makes a near-sea setting the most logical assumption.
But I also believe that Team Past will lead to an in-universe trend to adapt more retro into current trends, like when people get into stuff from the 80s or 90s. Another direction could be a more traditionally rooted city setting.
I'm hoping for team future dlc tbh
It doesn't have to be a time travel mechanic but what about something with memories, like something unlockable during story mode levels. Since we saw manipulations of those concepts in the dlc. Imagine the "normal" gameplay of a level suddenly transformed into a flashback about the great turf war like survive 30 seconds in this scenario (girl power station or another level like this) and gaining some kinda of buff or clothes if you survive.
Just throwing ideas about this theme since it looks like people didn't like the idea of some sort cyberpunk splatoon.
I REALLY want the bosses in Splatoon 4 to reflect extinct aquatic animals, as I think it'd incorporate the past theming pretty well! Extra lore and info would be needed for them, but I think that could be worked out easily by making the bosses mechanical or something (but I think some people won't like repurposing the idea of making some of the bosses mechanisms.)
Setting AND gameplay wise for the story mode, I do wanna see them utilize the danger hazard thing they did with Side Order, and maybe incorporate real life biomes in the ocean (maybe something like a brine pool that lets enemies deal double damage towards the player.) Perhaps the setting of the story mode could be a troubled town that requires help? An abandoned cephalopod city of old that was overtaken by the game's antagonist species?
I've got plenty of ideas for the characters in Splatoon 4, such as characters that are stuck to tradition and cherish the past to the point where they don't embrace the present and future, characters that hate their past and have many regrets (such as Marina to an extent) and learn to live with them, and maybe even a character that becomes too absorbed or optimistic into the future. I like the idea of Callie and Marie's perspective of the world as it gives us a better look into their minds and views, but I also want to see more perspectives and takes regarding characters. We already have plenty of characters with vastly different views, and I hope we can get more to come!
I also love the idea of the inkfish learning from the past or even repeating it, as the societies we've seen thus far have... lots of issues, in multiple aspects.
ALSO NINTENDO PLEASE GIVE US SOME OCEAN THEMED BOSSES I WANNA SEE A TULLY MONSTER IN SPLATOON PLEASE PLEASE PLEASEEE
I really wish the past will influence gameplay and map design. It informs what works in past (lemuria hub, gimmick maps, and squiffer with bomb and kraken) and and what did not work (saltspray rig, certain splatlings getting ink jet).
I think it's difficult to incorporate the theme into gameplay for a number of reasons. Choosing what to bring back from previous games is something that would happen during development regardless of the Fest winner, and determining what did and didn't "work" is pretty subjective. I obviously want the next game to be a culmination of the best parts of Splatoon 1-3, but I feel like focusing too hard on the theme of "Past" would only hold back the devs from trying new ideas. The aesthetic and narrative are more malleable, but I think the core gameplay should be something that's always evolving
I think ballpoint with Inkjet was a good idea.
@TheCosmicCloud I understand the concern for wanting the developers to try new things, but balance wise, certain weapons definitely need a buff. The usage rate for weapons such as umbrellas (outside of tent) has not gone up over time. A good determination for dealing with the subjectivity issues with the game would be to see the usage rates of competitive gameplay and suggestions of kit ideas and map reworks from the community. Typically, the competitive and X rank scene have a clear understanding of how weapons should be buffed or nerfed or good ideas of kits since they know the weaknesses of each weapon. Certain kits simply don't work like how squiffer received a big bubbler and point sensor, which makes it susceptible to being rushed down, and I don't understand why the developers keep giving this bad kit. What I am hoping is that once they look into the past, the developers will look into kits like the few from Splatoon 1 that created good "synergistic" kits that cover weapon weaknesses and maps like shifty stations which had amazing concepts that never came into main map modes. Examples include the grind rail shifty station (splatoon 2) and the red squiffer (splatoon 1), which had a splat bomb and kraken. Yes, certain weapons may need to be avoided since they barely have weaknesses (most shooters and even buckets like machines), but anchor, skirmisher, semi automatic weapons, and a few support weapons definitely need consideration for strong kits. Plus, maps in splatoon 3 feel like they're boring or bad, such as the new Hammerhead Bridge or Brindwater springs. They maps are hallways.
8:46 this is now my favorite fucking image ever
that will literally be me in 2025 when chapters 3 and 4 finally drops
I think this is one of the best analysis videos I’ve seen on anything ever. The connections and deep thinking made in regard to not only Splatoon 4 but the entire series as a whole was some of the strongest interpretations I’ve seen done for a video game. Incredible work.
Phenomenal editing to your writing! Watching and listening to this was such a joy, and I especially loved the shot going from a video to the switch screen at 17:32 . Great stuff!!
32:00 Inkopolis Bay?
I personally really like Inkopolis and wouldn't mind returning to it, but I sorta feel like Splatsville set the precedent of getting a new city for each game from now on. Plus, it would be cool to get to see more of Splatoon's world. A city plaza on a bay would definitely make for a really cool hub world though!
A prediction I have is the trident being a weapon in splatoon 4 since it’s an ancient fishing tool so it can fit with the past theme
Would it be a charger/splatana esque weapon?
@@Devilcakes it would replace the grizzco sub weapon and would function similar to an angle shooter
I used to think of the Calamari Inkantation in a way that made it not make sense if it were passed down by humans. Seeing the idea in a new lens has convinced me
These ideas for the game are so amazing. I mostly believed that it would be amazing if they went for something similar to different games out there, free world-ing slightly and for the single player, taking in the concept of when you choose an octoling you need to face the world in a certain way, while if you choose an inkling you have to choose how to deal with the acceptance of the world changing, similar to the Side Order story. Since Splatoon sometimes also takes in deep meanings, it could take in the concept of something going in the real world, involving everyone in the world. Atleast that’s what I think would be a great change to the game. Great video other than that, never disappoints.
I’m hyped to look back on this video when we actually see splatoon 4 lmao
I love all of your ideas even if I feel they’ll likely hinge on nostalgic aesthetics as the main identity of the title (i.e. 2000’s nostalgia)
BABE WAKE UP COSMIC CLOUD POSTED thx for bringing us content tho seriously 😆
Cool vid but no Sheldon slander 0/10
Jk really enjoyed it!
Great video, definitely feel more optimistic about Splatoon 4 now. The only way I could see time travel work as a story element work is if it’s a memory, like how in Breath of The Wild DLC you can refight the blights as if you were the champions, yet they serve only as memories of the champions. Using those memories can then influence the character’s forward progression.
Another example is learning from the past, is Marina herself. She came from an oppressive society, used to think stable was great but learned from those into the character she is now, seeing the change that has come from those things in her now past.
Playable memories could be really cool! I would be interested to see if they could tie that into the gameplay structure of the singleplayer; maybe "present" levels and "past" levels would play differently? Definitely a lot of potential there.
I do really like Marina as a character, but between her past in the army, the events of Octo Expansion, and her growth by the end Side Order, she's already one of, if not THE most developed characters in the series. I personally hope s4 will explore brand new settings and characters as much as possible
Great work as always, my dude!
I love the way you always tie the discussion of the lore back onto the overarching themes of Splatoon, and your ideas about what Splatoon 4 could be have me genuinely intrigued for what they might do when the game does came.
I especially loved the interpretation of the sea as a representation of the past, it’s a very beautiful analogy. Great job man
incredible video!! i really enjoy how you pace things
Personally, I’ve been picturing Splatoon 4 having a traditional Japanese setting, like a more rural town in the countryside compared to the urban Inkopolis and Splatsville. I’ve thought about Calamari County possibly being a good choice, since that was the home of the Squid Sisters, and I’m pretty sure it was stated to be a lot more culturally traditional than the cities. Having a more traditional Japanese setting would set 4 apart from 1’s youthful cheer, 2’s urban attitude and 3’s chaotic struggle.
I’d love to see the “poster map” (the map seen in most of the marketing, like Urchin and Scorch) take place in a Japanese dojo, resembling Ninja Hideaway from Mario Kart, and the idol group could flat-out be shrine maidens who could have potentially been inspired by the Squid Sisters.
However, your idea for Splatoon 4 shows a lot of promise as well. You honestly have a far more interesting idea for a base story mode than me, and, should they play their cards right, it could be a highly memorable and impactful story mode, bringing a spark back to the series that hasn’t truly been seen since Octo Expansion in my eyes. The seaside setting and Japanese architecture could honestly work hand-in-hand and make an engaging setting. I hope it gets us a proper beach map, too, we’re well overdue for one.
Great video! You clearly know your stuff when it comes to Splatoon and its themes.
The experience of me watching a Cosmic Cloud video
CC: "Let's talk about this famous plot device."
Me: "Yeah! I love that plot device!"
CC: "Actually that plot device is stupid and will never be in Splatoon!"
Me: :((
he's so right tho, whenever people started bringing up time travel it made me so upset because half of splatoon's awesomeness is changing with our own time, it's 2024 for the inkfish as well and that's so cool, time travel would DESTROY that
Rising tides give more territory over to the Salmonids, jeopardizing Inkfish homes and lands. Put me in a lobster boat and give me an ocean to explore Wind Waker style. Give me a grizzled sea captain sidekick that's buddies with Cuddlefish. Make me fight salmonids with a past grudge hung up on a past conflict. Have the game culminate in you fighting a leviathan salmonid using a Crab Tank styled Lobster Battleship. Salmonid raid the battleship. Make me cry 30 times along the way.
23:19 I think that the reason that the octolings wanted to leave the underground after hearing the calamari inkantation, is because the humans who were singing the song also wanted to leave the alternan underground.
"They got popular by fanart made by them from talented artist and made them even more popular." I guess you could say that....
I kinda want the next game to take place BEFORE the great turf war, right as tensions start to brew. I think it would be cool, and give us more ideas and lore about Octavio and Cuttlefish.
Ts video made me cry, absolute cinema
What if… g-gl-glen fiddler
The idea I had in mind for a new mainline entry was to continue more of the general theme of unity found in Grand Festival and create a setting portrayed as a utopia (located in the Anarchy Bay found on the Inkadia/Splatlands map) for all sea creatures. However, there are clear issues with the founders idea of a utopia, aka the game's Idol Group, that mimics a lot of the ignorance of both humans and Inkfish despite their optimism.
Elements of positive and/or negative would shine depending on which story mode is played on, one for each idol group and their values, and their perspective. For example, Deep Cut would see the utopia/idol group as a threat to Anarchy as it tries to oppress the various cultures into following the dominated values and beliefs.
I will admit the Past's effects do seem a bit tame in comparison to the impact Splatoon 2 left on 3, but I feel like it still plays a large role in the setting and influence of new characters like the video discussed.
As a member of team Past, Callie and Marie's perspective on it is very similar to my own. I had a really hard time picking a team when the Grand Fest was announced and it took me weeks to get my head around it, but I eventually decided that even though the things in the past aren't always happy memories, that it's important to not forget about them in order to learn and grow.
Big ramble incoming, but I have some thoughts on this topic.
I understand that most people think that Li'l Judd is going to be the main antagonist of Splatoon 4, but I actually think he is more likely going to play a part in the potential DLC than the main campaign. Why? Simple. Team past has given Splatoon 4 the first opportunity to have a Inkling main antagonist. As a juxtaposition to DJ Octavio who represents the main problems with Octarian society, they could have an antagonist who embodies the main problems with Inkling society. A character who is ignorant, selfish and doesn't learn from past mistakes and history. You could easily tie it into modern problems with ever progressing technology that is becoming dangerous and out of hand, someone who believes in "progress" above all else but ironically repeats the mistakes of those before them.
I don't want to have to bring in modern "politics" into this, but it does start to sound like certain big shot tech industry people who are causing a lot of harm right now. With the rise of AI and blockchain technology leading to increased energy consumption wich is a risk to climate change, yeah it's super topical. (not to mention the ethics of generative AI in general and where Nintendo as a company clearly stands on this issue but let's not get into that right now okay.)
That's some of my thoughts anyways. I also think Splatoon 4 is a good opportunity to expand the theme of diversity with "going back to your routes" and such. I mean a lot of what I'm thinking about is in regard to Deep Cut in particular since I don't think their story is quite over, and I think they might take the mantle of leading the main campaign away from The Squid Sisters, who's story is fully over now after Splatoon 3. As much as I love them, I think it's time for them to take a back seat in the next game and just have a few mentions or sunken scroll cameos. As for Off the Hook and the new potential idol group of the next game, we will have to see.
Imagine they end up having some Chargeman Ken references in splatoon 4 somewhere lol
4:57 I don't know if this was made by you or someone else, but I just have to say to the artist, this is beautiful, and you have a great heart.
Though I would personally love to have a Legends Arceus vibe in Splatoon 4 with past and Ninja motifs. That doesn’t mean that it should take place in the literal past. The 4th game should still take place in the Present as time progresses.
I'm so certain time travel will happen, but don't worry they'll find a way to make people like it. Throughout splat 3 they've been shoving past iconography down our throats. The most blatant being the back to the future and other old classics Easter eggs in the grizzco special gears. It can definitely work some way, maybe WE aren't going back in time, but somehow the past is coming to US, or something idk, I'd also love to see some future shenanigans.
But if there IS time travel, maybe Agent 8 will fall into a giant tub of ink and go back to 1985 and see Springtrap murder the 5 children…wait wrong game.
I love the idea of the game having reverence for the sea. I had the idea that Splat 4 will take place in a Hawai'i inspired area, one because I want a game that takes place further away from where the first three games have taken place and two because I think it'd thematically work well with the past theme.
Maybe the new main hub could be a history museam that you can walk in and out of where all the inklings and octolings could be hanging out. I think it would be a funny idea if all these rowdy teenagers decided to make learning about their history trendy beacuse of a splatfest. Instead of chaos, it could be a chill enviroment. Maybe in the new game the inklings would be full grow adults considering how they seem age with the games. All these college age people hanging out in a museam buying coffee, learning, walking around, occasionally walking home or to the gear shops nearby or doing turf wars. I dont know just my idea. I think it fits beacuse it still involves the past, but in the eyes of people in the future who are enjoying the present. Lol idk. You probably get what I mean. Your idea is much better though😅
Cosmic cooking as usual, who’s surprised… anyway great video!
I like to imagine it could be set in an old Japanese type town and have the lore be about the how the town was creating and the idols of this game are called the Idol Coral because it’s two idol groups with two idols in each. In total that would make 4 idols. The main story mode would be about the past of the salmoids. The DLC, would be called New Future since the dlc is the opposite of the winner. It’s about how the town is fake and a virtual Reality that is trying to erase the memories of the Great Turf and the people involved having the story mode revolve around getting back the people from the previous Splatoon games. The whole VR would answer many questions like why new weapons are there, and other things.
great video cosmic
0:28 I personally think that it will take place a couple years after the great grand fast. But the story mode will take place in the past somehow.
I'd say it's not ever been too clear how the theme shapes the next game, but specifically because we have yet to get a Splatoon game that wasn't rushed or filled with bad development. Splatoon 2? Was Marie the guide because Team Marie won? A lot of people suspect that Marie and Callie's roles would've been flipped if Team Callie won, but are we really sure? Or if Team Callie had won, would we just look at how Callie being the villain, she is the main focus of the singleplayer of Splatoon 2, and we would think that's because Team Callie won even if there was no difference in the story than what we ended up getting? And Chaos vs Order? It's very well known and pointed out how Splatoon 3 had almost nothing to do with Chaos outside of Deep Cut, about two maps, and the desert. Because all of the rest of the game is about Team Order. Alterna? Order. Splatsville? Order. A lot of the multiplayer maps (trains stations, airports, etc)? Order. And then we got a whole DLC focused on Team Order afterword. Team Chaos didn't get shit for Splatoon 3 despite being the winning team. But we also know that Splatoon 3's development was terrible and the game had a lot of new developers who were inexperienced and could easily be to blame.
A lot of people have grand ambitions for Splatoon 4 because of the Grand Festival, but many of them are thinking way too high and it shows. We're not getting a prequel, and we were not going to get a game set in the future if Future had won. The game we will get was always going to be set in the same time frame (however many years after 3, because the games are always consistent with that) and Lil Judd is pretty obviously going to be the villain as Splatoon always sets up the next villains in the previous games before the theme is even decided, just as Mr Grizz was always going to be the villain of Splatoon 3 no matter if it was Chaos or Order. If we get another rushed a lazily made game, the game will probably only slightly take the theme into account, but if we get a true, fully developed sequel like we deserve (especially since Switch 2 will be backward compatible either way so we're not in a rush for a new Splatoon game), then hopefully the theme will be a large part of the game's aesthetic, maybe having more traditional-designed settings and everything. But all of this depends on that "if" obviously.
I can see there being elements of what team present would have had being incorporated aswell with this being the only final fest to have popularity and overall winner be different teams especially with just how uneaven the team were or just dragging Pearl and Marina into whatever the conflict is because thats why most people were on team present anyways
The Great Turfwar would make for a interesting setting for a spin off game or manga so it doesn't hamper the main story and progression but honesty id rather leave it untouched the mystery is part is part of why people like the idea so much and getting something that doesn't meet that would be a disappointment
As a deltron and Splatoon fan I find it really funny that you use deltron as the one that's going to replace Splatoon if some bonkers ass shit happens in Splatoon lore😂😂.
Before I start the video, I wanna leave this comment here.
I chose Team Past because of what it meant to me, personally. Because of why I clutch to my past. Because what that fight, that cause meant to me. Because I desired to fight for the sake of fighting for my cause, in a last stand.
But I did not intend to win that last stand. I was fighting for the sake of fighting for my cause, not for the sake of victory. My intent was to, in a sense, go out in a blaze of glory, and be content in knowing how hard I fought for my cause. But I never intended to win...
I never truly _wanted_ Past to win. Personally, I felt Team Future was most deserving of victory. It should have been them who won. Not me, some crusty, dusty, sentimental fool... Yet, here we are.
i never understood why people thought splatoon 3s final fest wouldnt effect the next game. all the direct said was that the storymode would change and new characters would be introduced. either way id still buy nintendos slop.
You don't have to but I had a thought while watching this video since Splatoon just continuously has DLCs Splatoon Force DLC could be about past or present or maybe two waves of DLC both single player or something that's what they did with Chaos versus order
THHANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A GOOD VIDEO TO EAT DINNER TO I LOVE YOU COSMICCLOU🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏D
F****CKKINN YESS I POVE THAT IDEA, I LOVE DTHE SAMINIDSSSS!!!!11!1!!
Now all we need is Agent 4 in Splatoon 4 as an ACTUAL villain 😂
(joke)
Come to think of it, humanity have been celebrate the past of their ancestors for years now either it's a culture or just a individual believe and seeing inkling & octoling doing the same thing as a human used to does it's feel like we see ourselves in the mirror and recognize all the things that was holding humanity from progress further was there from the beginning of the life circle yet we acknowledge it just to ignore it completely or make the same mistake
I humored an idea with a friend that what if the Grand Festival not determined what the Splatoon 4 Campaign was gonna be but what the 3rd Wave of DLC for Splatoon 3 would be but that’s just pure cope for this game lmao, I’m aware this is probably not how it’s going.
8:47 DELTARUNE MENTION??
"Splatoon is optimistic" tell that to it's players /hj
But another great video where I can def say this is something i've more or less felt the same way but you put it really nicely into words and also given me some new insight here and there about some things too (basically one of those videos I can just share to say "These are how I feel abt things lmao") and once again reminding me "oh yeah thats why I love this dumb ass series"
Never thought of the sea like that either, I mean I kind of have but not that deeply, would actually be kinda cool
And god please dont involve time travel I swear to fucking god
This was an awesome video
Also toelicker☠️ 17:11
Every time I see a video about the grand festival I get mad at Nintendo’s online. I missed the final fest because my stupid NSO ran out 😭💀
Splatoon 4 will be set in Squid WW2
Common team past W
9:42 ok but like. the human part is wrapped up via ROTM explaining how humanity truly ended. the story can be using time travel to the great turf war or maybe even a different important event like more deep cuts story or smth. Like ur just nitpicking 😭😭
like a lot of ur counters to the time travel aspect are kinda dumb sorry
Hi I made a video a few days ago about my ideas on Splatoon3s story mode. I was inspired by your channel and videos, "why lore is important" in particular. I think some of my ideas could work for Splatoon4 as well. I'd love for you to check it out if you have the time.
no glen fiddler segment -0/10
contrary to expectations, thanks to team past, splatoon 4 will be the game where splatoon goes woke
I swear those salty Future losers lost to Past on purpose just to keep Present from winning. Seriously, the hell did we do to you?
anyone in 2027???
Welp we just went full circle. Now we are gonna have to experience racism... again 😅
I was Past, and i won..
I do not want Salmon Run back in Splatoon 4 because it's a crap mode for Filthy Casuals imo. And i want Splatoon 1 Nostalgia feel.
I will still buy Splatoon 4, because i was sick of this crap from the Splatoon Community like Salmon Run, People bitching about the kits and maps, and the devide in the Community, i would love it to be OG Splatoon Again.
First
I don’t think we’ll get anything to do with the past
The past shouldn’t have won the grand fest
I doubt we’ll get anything to do with the past or the great turf war
Team past shouldn’t have won
I disliked this video because most of it felt like filler with very little in the way of meaningful speculation and theories.
I do like a seaside local for the next game as a hub area that could be attacked by salmoniades sounds cool