One hallmark of a game's success is its longevity, and multiplayer games in particular are figuring out ways to maintain their relevance in the community years after their initial release. Splatoon 3 is no different, with Nintendo gearing up to release new content for the squid-filled universe in the form of a DLC, which the fan base has been waiting for since the developer gave some hints last year. Splatoon 3 made a big splash upon its launch, gathering multiple nominations at The Game Awards and eventually carting home the award for Best Multiplayer Game. Not resting on its laurels, Nintendo is shifting its focus to keeping Splatoon 3's content fresh for players, and the developer could work some magic with its big DLC to officially kickstart its post-launch era.
A Splatoon 3 DLC has been waiting in the wings even before the game's launch in September, as Nintendo stated via Twitter that a paid DLC was planned for the title back in August. Naturally, the large-scale DLC's contents have been the subject of speculation, with players referencing the achievements of Splatoon 2's Octo Expansion for clues on potential Splatoon 3 improvements. The developer has a few options to make the DLC a memorable one, and Nintendo has already shaken up Splatoon 3 by taking its narrative in an unexpected direction.
Splatoon 3's Wave Split DLC Ensures Consistent Content Stream
Splatoon 3's DLC content is a plot twist most players didn't see coming. Judging from the patterns of the Octo Expansion, which served as a hook into Splatoon 3's mission-based story levels across Alterna, a section of fans had assumed the DLC would be a direct continuation of helping Cap'n Cuttlefish in his escape from the Deepsea Metro. The not-so-subtle hints of Pearl and Mariana's silhouettes gracing the DLC announcement before the base game's launch raised a few eyebrows as to the integration of their characters into the storyline, but Nintendo had an ace up its sleeve to allow a smooth transition.
Nintendo revealed Splatoon 3's paid DLC as an Expansion Pass at the February 2023 Nintendo Direct, promising to add new content to the game in staggered waves. While Wave 1 gives access to the Inkopolis hub world featured in the original Splatoon, and thus a few creative restrictions to maintain the nostalgic vibe, Nintendo can rely on the Squid Sisters and their performance during Splatfests to keep players engaged amidst the reappearance of old merchants and Splatsville shops. For the most part, players don't know what to expect from the return to Inkopolis, so the developer should introduce some fun new elements to have a healthy mix of legacy and fresh content.
Wave 2, on the other hand, gives Nintendo a lot more room to work with to truly shake up Splatoon 3's post-launch era. Pearl and Marina appeared in gloomy teasers of the Side Order single-player campaign, and the title could unfold its story similar to that of Splatoon 2 and Callie in the aftermath of her final Splatfest defeat. Using the franchise's prior successes as an indicator, a familiar turn of events might benefit Splatoon 3, although there's little clarity on the plot's direction. The imagery in the trailer detailed a darker theme featuring darkened tentacles, and a psychological thriller spin of Marina's tale could be the spice the DLC needs.
Post-launch eras are tricky to navigate for even the most seasoned developers, but Nintendo's DLC blueprint for Splatoon 3 could keep the beloved title afloat for quite a while. The first wave's nostalgic nod and the Side Order DLC campaign's fresh storyline in Wave 2 illustrate the developer's commitment to bringing the best of the Splatoon universe to old and new gamers alike. Staggering the DLC's content into two separate waves will keep the fan base on their toes, and should establish a period of relevance for Splatoon 3 that could last long into the future.
Splatoon 3 is available now on Nintendo Switch.
