The short answer is – no, the upcoming Splatoon 3 downloadable content (DLC) will not be free. Nintendo has announced a paid expansion pass that players must purchase to access the additional content being released over the next two years.
Splatoon 3, the latest installment in Nintendo‘s popular ink-based shooter franchise, launched in September 2022 to critical acclaim. The game introduced new weapons, maps, movements, and customization options to keep fans splatting. However, one of the most anticipated additions was the promise of future downloadable content (DLC).
Overview of Splatoon 3 DLC
Nintendo announced Splatoon 3 would receive new content through a paid expansion pass costing $24.99. This pass includes:
- Two waves of DLC adding new maps, weapons, and gear
- Additional in-game items like boosts and badges
The first wave, called Inkopolis, arrives in late February 2023. The second wave, Side Order, will launch later in 2023. Players must purchase the full expansion pass upfront to access both drops. There is no option to buy each wave separately.
Splatoon History of Free vs Paid DLC
Looking back at previous Splatoon games provides context around the DLC model shift:
- Splatoon (Wii U) – Received 2 years of free DLC maps, weapons, and gear post-launch.
- Splatoon 2 (Switch) – Followed suit with 2 years of free content updates after release.
- Splatoon 2: Octo Expansion – This major story expansion was paid DLC costing $19.99. It is now free for Expansion Pack Nintendo Switch Online subscribers.
Splatoon 3 breaks the tradition of free updates set by the first two games. Unlike past titles, none of the upcoming Splatoon 3 DLC will be free. This departure from free post-launch support to paid DLC has some fans questioning the change.
Reasons for Paid DLC Model
Here are some potential reasons driving Nintendo‘s decision to charge for all Splatoon 3 additional content:
1. Significant Development Resources Required
The Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass contains two major drops comparable to the Octo Expansion for Splatoon 2. Creating new maps, weapons, gear, story content, etc. requires considerable development time and money.
By monetizing the DLC, Nintendo can support ongoing development to ensure these updates meet the Splatoon series‘ high quality bar. Free updates may not provide sufficient financial incentive to dedicate resources towards substantial new content.
2. Maintain Active Player Base
Paid DLC encourages player retention between content releases. Players who purchase the expansion pass are invested to return and play the new content they paid for.
Staggered DLC releases keep the game feeling fresh with regular additions. This maintains a solid online population which is key for a multiplayer-focused game like Splatoon.
3. Matches Industry Trends
Many popular online shooters like Call of Duty, Apex Legends, and Fortnite utilize paid seasonal Battle Passes. These offer new cosmetics and other incentives over time to keep players engaged and spending money.
Paid DLC/Season Passes are becoming standard in the gaming industry. Nintendo is adopting this monetization model for one of their marquee online titles to match competitor offerings.
4. Further Monetization Opportunities
Nintendo is likely looking to increase revenue generation and monetization opportunities with the Splatoon series. The franchise has grown enormously in popularity since the first game launched.
Paid DLC allows Nintendo to tap into the most dedicated fans willing to pay for additional content. This additional income may fund even more future development.
Value Comparison of Paid vs Free DLC
To evaluate if the paid expansion pass offers good value, let‘s compare planned Splatoon 3 DLC with past free updates:
| DLC Type | Maps | Weapons | Gear | Single Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splatoon 1 Free DLC | 15 | Over 20 | 100+ pieces | No |
| Splatoon 2 Free DLC | 10 | Over 15 | 130+ pieces | No |
| Splatoon 3 Paid DLC | 5+ | 4+ | 38+ pieces | Yes |
Comparing quantity of content, the paid expansion pass seems comparable to 1 year of free DLC support. However it also includes new single player campaigns. If the quality is high, the Splatoon 3 DLC may provide good overall value despite the shift to paid.
What is Included in Each DLC Wave?
While the DLC requires purchase, exactly what do players receive? Here are the details on the first two expansion waves:
Inkopolis – Wave 1
The first wave, Inkopolis, arrives February 2023. This content is inspired by the city hub from the original Splatoon game. It includes:
- New maps – Eeltail Alley, new Ancho-V Games map
- New Splatana weapon type – Splatana & Splatana Wiper variants
- 38 new gear pieces and accessories
- New stickers, emotes, badges, banners, titles
- Story campaign starring Shiver from Deep Cut
Inkopolis revisits classic stages while introducing fresh elements like the Splatana melee-style weapon type. Fans of the first Splatoon should enjoy the nostalgic throwbacks and world-building lore around Inkopolis‘ past.
Side Order – Wave 2
Side Order makes up the second half of the expansion launching later in 2023. Details are still scarce, but Nintendo promises:
- New maps
- New weapons
- New gear
- New single-player campaign starring Mr. Grizz
Side Order seems to continue the additional maps, weapons, and gear that are staples of any Splatoon update. The new story mode with Mr. Grizz is an exciting reveal, as the character was previously only a multiplayer mode vendor.
Opinions from the Gaming Community
To provide additional perspective, here are some reactions to the Splatoon 3 DLC approach from gaming journalists, content creators, and fans:
"As someone who loved the frequent updates in Splatoon 2, this stings a bit. But the series has earned goodwill, and if substantial enough, I think people will happily pay for new content." – Caleb Sadd, Nintendo Wire
"I don‘t mind paying for meaty story expansions like the Octo Expansion. But drip-feeding basic maps and weapons feels wrong for Splatoon when they used to be free." – Charlotte Cutts, Kotaku
"Splatoon 3 is already a packed game at launch. The DLC model makes sense as a way to support ongoing development. And I‘ll take any excuse to keep playing for years!" – Zhea, popular Splatoon YouTube creator
"Wow, getting Octo Expansion for free now almost feels like a steal! I‘ll miss having regular free updates to look forward to. But I‘ll probably cave and buy the DLC eventually…" – Splatoon fan OctoGreg on social media
The community seems divided on losing free content updates but remains cautiously optimistic about the value paid DLC can offer. There‘s a mix of disappointment but willingness to give Nintendo the benefit of the doubt based on strong pedigree.
Is the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass Worth it?
Whether the $24.99 asking price proves justified depends on each player‘s enjoyment priorities:
New maps – Maps directly impact gameplay variety. Additional stages keep matchups unpredictable.
Extra weapons – Fresh options enable new strategies and fit different playstyles. More diversity drives deeper tactics.
Gear/cosmetics – These offer customization for fashion-focused players. Other items like badges provide fun bonuses.
Story mode – Full campaigns with Splatoon‘s signature charm satisfy single-player PvE fans.
Long-term updates – The pass delivers 2 years of new stuff. This drips out content vs buying updates separately.
For competitive players and hardcore fans who play consistently, the expansion pass seems well worth pre-purchasing to access everything day one. They‘ll maximize enjoyment from new weapons, maps, and gear.
Meanwhile, more casual players may wait to purchase each DLC wave à la carte after gauging reviews and value. They can always buy the pass later if the content entices them. The single-player campaigns may appeal most to this group.
Will Paid DLC Work for Splatoon?
Shifting to paid DLC/season passes brings Splatoon more inline with pricing norms for service-based multiplayer titles. However, Nintendo games often defy industry trends to avoid viewer burnout.
Adopting this monetization model is concerning given Nintendo‘s generous free support for Splatoon 1 and 2. They set expectations by providing 2 years of free content updates post-launch.
Still, if the quality bars are met, fans will likely pay for substantial expansions. But over time, players may tire of piecemeal DLC and nostalgia-driven content.
Nintendo‘s strategy seems to be giving fans a taste of free updates to build interest, then transitioning them to paid DLC. This on-ramping from free to paid content is a clever retention tactic.
But only time will tell how players respond over the long run. Will paid DLC pay off for Nintendo? Does this signal a shift towards ongoing monetization of Nintendo IPs? The next two years of Splatoon 3 updates will provide data to evaluate the pass‘ reception.
The Bottom Line
While my wallet wishes otherwise, the Splatoon 3 Expansion Pass DLC will unfortunately not be free. Players must purchase the $24.99 pass upfront to access both upcoming waves of content.
This monetization shift has surprised some fans. But the DLC still appears to offer solid value built on Splatoon‘s strong core gameplay. Competitive and highly engaged players will likely get their money‘s worth from long-term content releases.
I hope Nintendo continues delivering the charm and quality the series is known for. If the DLC meets expectations, paying for periodic refreshers could be an acceptable compromise to keep my favorite squid kid shooter fresh. But I also worry this begins a slippery slope of monetizing every bit of content that harms goodwill with fans.
Only time will tell how the transition to paid DLC impacts Splatoon‘s future. But I remain cautiously optimistic the additional content will ink up my days with joy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the Splatoon 3 DLC cost?
The full expansion pass covering both waves is $24.99. There is no option to purchase each wave separately currently. Players must buy the entire pass upfront to access any DLC.
What DLC is included in Splatoon 3?
The expansion pass consists of two waves – Inkopolis and Side Order. Inkopolis arrives Feb 2023 and includes new maps, Splatana weapon, gear, and a campaign with Shiver. Side Order comes later in 2023, but details are still unannounced besides new maps, weapons, gear, and a campaign starring Mr. Grizz.
Will there be an expansion pass for Splatoon 3?
Yes, Nintendo has announced a paid expansion pass that includes two major DLC waves over the next two years. It costs $24.99 upfront and includes new maps, weapons, gear, single-player content, items, and more.
Will Kraken return in Splatoon 3?
Yes, the invincible Kraken special weapon from the original Splatoon will return in Splatoon 3. It is part of the free Version 1.1.0 update arriving March 2023 alongside the launch of Fresh Season 2023.
What happened to Inkopolis in Splatoon 3?
Inkopolis, the city hub from Splatoon 1, returns as part of the first paid DLC wave. The new region of Splatsville replaced Inkopolis as the base game hub for Splatoon 3. But Inkopolis stages and nostalgic elements are coming back as paid DLC.
What does DLC stand for?
DLC stands for "downloadable content". It refers to additional content for video games available to download post-launch. DLC can include new maps, weapons, characters, story campaigns, cosmetics, and more to expand the base game.
