Nintendo developers have shared details on how Splatoon Raiders began as a base defence game before shifting to a faster solo and co-op action spin-off. The game launches on 23 July for Switch 2. Four key staff members discussed the changes in a new developer interview.
Producer Seita Inoue, director Yoshihiko Ito, art director Koji Sonoyama and sound director Shu Tamura spoke about the project's early stages. Ito said the first tests focused on placing traps to fight alongside them in a solo experience.
The team moved away from that approach after finding players would simply build fortresses and watch events unfold, which removed the sense of Splatoon action. Inoue noted the original fun came from gyro controls and ink-shooting mechanics on the Wii U GamePad.
Developers instead expanded player actions with gadgets that allow dynamic enemy defeats and movement. The final game emphasises weapon progression, repeatable missions against Salmonids and co-op play as a spin-off rather than Splatoon 4.