Some new details on Splatoon’s multiplayer have emerged in an interview in the latest Famitsu.
As we already know, the game is an initiative of younger developers within EAD, instead of an idea from veterans like Miyamoto, Iwata, Koizumi, et al. These devs actually worked on the Wii U launch titles, and wanted to make something innovative after they had mastered the hardware. These titles included Nintendo Land, which had shooter minigames, and New Super Mario Bros U.
The team is working on a local multiplayer mode, on top of online and a new Hero mode. Hero mode, surprisingly enough, turns the game into a 3D platformer, with emphasis on the human squid transformations.
Every shooter developer approaches the question of online multiplayer differently, and EAD is no different. In this case, there will be random matching done worldwide, and you are matched up with players as close to your skill level as possible. This sounds like Mario Kart 8, but unlike that game, Splatoon will have no CPU players. Matches can only start when 8 players have been found.
And now for the bad news. Once again, Splatoon won’t have online communication with players you are matched up with. EAD did try to implement a system where you can issue orders, but gameplay is apparently too fast to make this practical.
A lot of fans have been clamoring for Jet Set Radio composer Hideki Naganuma to make songs for the game, but the actual composer comes from within EAD. Tooru Minegishi has worked on Mario, Zelda, and Animal Crossing games, but you would not have known it if you listened to this game.
Splatoon will be released to the Wii U on May 2015.
