Splatoon's Limited Map Rotation Unlikely to Be Increased

A 3DS version of Splatoon is not something that's likely to happen, nor does Nintendo have any plans to increase the size of the existing game's map rotation, according to co-director Yusuke Amano.

Speaking with Game Informer, Amano was asked about the possibility of a 3DS iteration of Splatoon. While he didn't say whether there is or isn't interest in such a version, the technical constraints of the platform are a barrier he didn't sound optimistic about overcoming.

"With the splattering of ink, which is definitely key to the game, this is something we spent a lot of time on getting the feel and the look of exactly like we wanted," Amano explained. "I think that's something that would be quite difficult to realize on the 3DS considering its limitations."

Another thing Nintendo has no specific plans for is to adjust the current map rotation, which offers players access to two maps at a time.

"With map rotation, this is something that we envisioned from the beginning of development of the game," Amano said. "The idea that players would have two maps on which to play and you would take one weapon into the map and figure out the best way to move about the map and learn the ins and outs of each stage. We don't have any immediate plans to change that.

"Thinking forward, this is something that would really affect the structure of the game. It is something that we consistently continue to see users discussing. It's perhaps something we will start to think about as a challenge, and we would need to think of the best ways to solve that challenge, but we don't have any immediate plans to take that on."

Likewise, Amano indicated Nintendo doesn't intend to add voice chat for private matches (the feature is completely absent from Splatoon), nor does it plan to sell paid DLC in the future.

Splatoon launched for Wii U this past May. It's gone on to become one of the platform's best-selling games with more than 2.42 million units sold as of September 30.