Splatoon Proves That The Best Ideas Come From Outside Video Games

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As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to be part of the global celebration marking Splatoon’s 10-year milestone, today, May 28, 2025! Let’s delve into how this extraordinary game has managed to transcend the boundaries of traditional video gaming by drawing from a diverse pool of inspirations.

I can’t help but feel nostalgic as we commemorate Splatoon’s 10-year journey on May 28, 2025! Today, let’s explore the innovative ways this game has ventured beyond the ordinary realm of video games by merging a variety of inspirations.

As a devoted fan, I’d say it’s straightforward to grasp Splatoon as a creative spin-off from previous video games. It’s a multiplayer shooter introduced in the aftermath of competitive shooters taking over online gaming. However, unlike its contemporaries, it flips the script, catering to a younger audience, rather than the usual demographic of teenagers and young adults. Its vibrant cartoon aesthetic and focus on objectives other than “kill” or “defend this spot” make it stand out among similar games. But Splatoon’s originality runs deeper. It demonstrates that the most intriguing ideas are born when you venture beyond conventional video game territories, drawing inspiration from diverse fields such as wildlife, pop music, and street fashion.

In a departure from the norm, Nintendo didn’t initially plan to create Splatoon as a family-friendly multiplayer shooter within established game categories. Instead, the developers aimed to innovate by creating a new type of game without constraints, which led to the development of around 70 unique ideas. Eventually, they zeroed in on Splatoon, and its distinct character can be attributed to this open-minded approach. However, it’s important to note that this interview was conducted for promotional purposes by Nintendo employees with a vested interest in presenting the best possible image. The exact truth behind these statements may not be entirely clear, but the emphasis on intuition and common sense in the design process is certainly intriguing.

Reflecting on Splatoon’s polished final version, each element harmoniously integrates, such as its squid creatures concealing themselves in ink and the paint-splattering dynamics complementing street art motifs. However, this seamless integration didn’t happen overnight; it resulted from meticulous planning and numerous adjustments. Initially, the design that sparked the developers’ creativity depicted characters spreading ink across a battlefield, but these weren’t squids – they were tofu blocks instead. The choice of tofu was driven by its block shape and uncomplicated colors, which allowed it to blend into the ink, transforming the straightforward shooter into a nail-biting game of hide-and-seek.

Initially, the challenge was the tofu figures, as they lacked any human-like features, which seemed absurd. Marketing a game with such characters would have been difficult. However, the team initially opted for rabbits due to practical considerations. Their distinct color patterns would help identify inked areas easily, and their ears served as indicators of their gaze direction. Unfortunately, rabbits as characters didn’t resonate. Co-director Yusuke Amano expressed this dilemma: “When people questioned ‘Why rabbits?’ and ‘Why are the rabbits shooting ink?’, we found it hard to provide a logical response.” Following brainstorming sessions about the game’s character requirements, such as an appropriate motif for squirting ink, the team eventually chose squids.

Initially, the game characters seemed authentic, but the fresh design sparked innovative gameplay concepts. For instance, the squid’s ink-propelled swimming ability allowed for wall traversal to outmaneuver opponents from unexpected angles. This user-friendly approach extends across the entire game. Splatoon may seem intricate at times, yet its weapons resemble everyday items like water guns, aerosol cans, buckets, paint brushes, and rollers – tools most of the Splatoon player base has either used or are familiar with in real life. This direct application makes them engaging. Unlike more intuitive shooters such as Halo, Splatoon does not require prior knowledge of firearms, which adds to its appeal.

Connecting squid characters in the Splatoon games to graffiti and street fashion was an intuitive step, as these titles often draw inspiration from diverse, sometimes regional, subcultures. Exploring the fashion that influenced Splatoon will take you on a journey – from the minimalistic designs of designer Youji Yamamoto to the symbolic style of artist Sk8thing. Delving into the history of Tokyo’s Ura-Harajuku neighborhood and its streetwear will offer glimpses of styles and locations reminiscent of Inkopolis. The Squid girl idols in the games are inspired by digital pop stars like Hatsune Miku, while also drawing from American Hip Hop culture. These influences lend a unique style to the game that transcends its own boundaries. Immersing oneself in Splatoon can serve as a gateway to discovering a wealth of other intriguing elements.

In a peculiar manner, Splatoon foreshadowed Fortnite by focusing on customizable player styles, seasonal gatherings, and lighthearted, youthful themes. However, there’s also a vast contrast between the two. Fortnite aspires to be all-encompassing, catering to various audiences: music events, film previews, and entirely new gaming experiences. It incorporates everything from Star Wars and Marvel to Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande. On the other hand, each Splatoon game concludes with a grand Splatfest, after which no further events are held. Fortnite’s adaptable ambitions have influenced numerous multiplayer games, while Splatoon continues to stand out, even with occasional collaborations with Nintendo.

Despite the fact that Splatoon can appear casual, it still holds a competitive edge. In Splatfests, players form teams to battle it out over weekends in themes such as “Pirates versus Ninjas” or “Early Birds versus Night Owls.” The goal was to attract social media attention by using popular phrases and cultural debates related to these topics. However, this approach also connects Splatoon to external subcultures. Splatfests establish a sense of normality and routine, where each event both reinforces and challenges this status quo. They are essentially efforts to increase player count and gain free publicity. At their finest, Splatfests feel like vibrant street parties.

This leads us to Splatoon’s interactions on social media platforms. As you traverse Inkopolis, you come across sketches and messages from other gamers. You can still discover such content if you roam around in Splatoon 2 or 3. Although the system resembles Instagram and Twitter interfaces, it doesn’t use an algorithm to customize your feed. The town square merely displays current conversations. This creates a lively, immediate atmosphere, but it might not keep your interest for a long time.

The unique blend of elements in Splatoon makes it feel like a distinct and authentic era or location. Unlike mere imitations, Splatoon’s aesthetics are heartfelt tributes. Its online presence and events give the impression of a vibrant world beyond the game boundaries. Essentially, Splatoon feels real but only accessible within the game. This is because it was created by that team at that specific moment in time and place. In 2015, the gaming landscape was on the cusp of a significant transformation. Fortnite Battle Royale was still two years away. Splatoon’s focus on character customization and seasonal events set it alongside emerging trends, yet it remained distinctly different. For instance, its events had a definite expiration date, unlike some later games with continuous promotion across multiple media platforms. Instead of chasing everyone everywhere all the time, Splatoon catered to a dedicated audience at that particular moment.

Suiting its nature, Splatoon wasn’t an endless fountain of amusement. Its servers have ceased operation for quite some time now, making it impossible to enjoy the game that captivated players back in 2015. This fact seems to mirror Splatoon’s storyline of a post-human world, where squid creatures inhabit and engage in activities reminiscent of humans – from their clothing and games to their music. While there are differences, it’s still strikingly familiar. It may eventually meet the same fate as the human world, but wasn’t its brief existence beautiful?

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2025-05-29 00:39