Nintendo Ends Updates for Splatoon 3Splatoon 4 Release Rumors Swirl Amid End of an Era

Nintendo has announced that regular content updates for its award-winning shooter game, Splatoon 3, will soon come to an end. However, it's not entirely goodbye for Splatoon 3 as fans can still expect holiday events to be added; support for the game will continue for now!

Nintendo announced that seasonal events such as Splatoween, and Frosty Fest, among others, will still come to Splatoon 3. Monthly challenges will still be playable for the time being, and weapon adjustment updates along with balance patches will be released "as needed."

"After 2 INK-credible years of Splatoon 3, regular updates will come to a close," read the announcement on Twitter (X). "Don't worry! Splatoween, Frosty Fest, Spring Fest, and Summer Nights will continue with some returning themes! Updates for weapon adjustments will be released as needed. Big Run, Eggstra Work, and Monthly Challenges will continue for the time being."

The update from Nintendo came following the conclusion of Splatoon 3's Grand Festival event this week on September 16. Nintendo additionally released a celebratory video looking back on the past Splatfest events, special events in Splatoon 3 wherein players join separate teams to compete in themed battle events. The video also featured idol trio Deep Cut serenading the crowd on the Grand Festival stage. "Thanks for holding down the Splatlands with us," Nintendo said, "it's been a blast!"

Splatoon 3 launched two years ago on September 9, and with news of Nintendo stepping away from active development on the title, rumors of a series sequel begin to pick back up. Specifically, speculations regarding development of Splatoon 4.

While players got to enjoy the recent Grand Festival event, some eagle-eyed fans spotted what they suspect to be easter eggs—or spoilers—tucked away in the game. Some fans speculated that certain locations found during the event could be indicative of a new city for the next Splatoon title.

Replying to a post containing in-game screenshots of a metropolis-looking location shared under Nintendo's announcement, one fan surmised, "Doesn't look like Inkopolis. Perhaps the setting of Splatoon 4?" While others think this doesn't hold any significance. One fan suggested, "The second one is just splatsville, same model from the opening train cutscene," referring to the hub setting of Splatoon 3.

While there hasn't been anything officially announced regarding Splatoon 4, rumors have been swirling for the past months this year. Reports from the previous months suggested that Nintendo has started development on the next Splatoon title for the Switch. Moreover, with this month's Grand Festival event being Splatoon 3's final big Splatfest event, fans are convinced that Splatoon 4 could be right around the corner.

As it has gone in the past Splatoon installments, each game's Final Fests have directly affected corresponding sequels—and Splatoon 3's last one could indicate a "Past, Present or Future" theme for Splatoon 4. But for now, fans need to wait until Nintendo reveals anything regarding a new Splatoon game.