Splatoon launched last year exclusively for the Nintendo Wii U and even though the developers were slightly hesitant about releasing the game, Nintendo managed to sell over four million units. This is actually a pretty surprising number figure simply for the fact that Nintendo hasn’t seen their latest console fetch massive sales numbers since it first released on November 18, 2012. Regardless, one thing is for sure, Wii U owners are in love with the third-person shooter video game and if those players continue to support Nintendo and their development team, we very well could see a sequel.
The news came from a recent interview with European gaming magazine, GamesMaster and Hisashi Nogami, the producer behind Splatoon. During the interview, Hisashi Nogami spoke of the hesitation at first when developing the game. Developers were slightly worried about releasing Splatoon because of the heavier focus on its multiplayer gameplay. Although developers had nothing to worry about as this ambitious title blossomed quite beautifully marking Splatoon as one of the top selling titles for the Nintendo Wii U console.
Hisashi Nogami went on to say that Splatoon’s success became a real confidence booster. It’s likely that this confidence boost also brought along some inspiration as Nogami mentioned if given the chance within the future, he would like to continue to build up the online gameplay even more. What Nogami would like to add on with the online gameplay is anyone’s guess but it certainly gives a little hint that the developers are interested in taking the Splatoon IP and delivering fans another installment. After all, with a number of sales Nintendo received from Splatoon, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched in seeing the development team in producing another installment.
Here is the full comment from Hisashi Nogami:
We’ve dealt with online multiplayer in a number of titles up until now, but this was the first time we’d taken up the challenge of releasing a package game where multiplayer was the main mode. We were not 100 percent sure about how a few sections would be received, and so we’re really happy to see them being well received not only by experienced online gamers but by a really broad range of players including children and female players too; it’s a real confidence boost. If we have the chance in the future, I’d like to build on online gameplay even more.
Pressing further on the matter, GamesMaster directly questioned Nogami if Nintendo would be developing a sequel in which he replied that the developers wish to raise this new IP with care and that there is a chance to make a sequel if there are players supporting the developers.
While we wait for that sequel announcement there is another announcement you may be interested in if you happen to collect figurines. Jakks Pacific, a toy manufacturer that is officially licensed to create Nintendo merchandise, has confirmed Splatoon figures. This piece of news came from YouTube channel VideoGameHeat where Jakks Pacific’s Scott Neitlich revealed the upcoming Nintendo toy lineup. The toy manufacturer is even asking fans what characters from Nintendo would they like to see release next.
