This Week in PC Games: Experience Magic Girl Adventures in Kernel Hearts, Dog Commando Missions in Fright Train, and Capital Class Warfare in Sublight

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### Splatoon Raiders: An In-Depth Look at Development and Design Modifications

**Introduction**

With excitement mounting for the debut of *Splatoon Raiders* on July 23, 2023, reviews are emerging, and the community is lively. A recent *Ask the Developer* discussion has illuminated the creative journey behind the game, showcasing major alterations in its visual style and thematic components, especially concerning its original colonialist implications.

**Development Insights**

Art director Koji Sonoyama noted that *Splatoon Raiders* departs from the urban settings typical of earlier *Splatoon* games by placing the narrative on isolated islands. This choice sought to leverage the improved graphical power of the Switch 2, enabling players to engage with natural environments, such as spraying ink on grass. Nevertheless, the original design concept encountered significant critique as the game’s story developed.

Sonoyama portrayed a vibrant setting which, upon reevaluation, seemed problematic. The team recognized that their gameplay dynamics—focused on encroaching on the Salmonids’ home turf, the game’s antagonistic figures—could come across as harsh. This realization sparked a reassessment of their narrative strategy to prevent depicting a colonial story, wherein players might be viewed as oppressors exploiting the native inhabitants of the islands.

**Feedback and Redirection**

Responses from team personnel underscored an emotional disconnection. Scenes featuring the Salmonids in cheerful scenarios prompted immediate empathy from players, leading many to exclaim, “Poor Salmonids!” This reaction sparked a considerable rethinking of the game’s aesthetic and narrative trajectory.

Sound director Shu Tamura remarked that even the welcoming background score added to the uneasy sensation of assaulting innocent beings. The project team found themselves uncertain about their creative path and needed to alter their narrative strategy.

**Reimagining the Environment**

To address these issues, the team resolved to redirect their focus towards an “absurd environment.” However, this shift did not completely encapsulate the desired aesthetic. Ultimately, the developers decided on a more radical redesign. They altered the islands to imbue them with an eerie, unpredictable atmosphere, characterized by geological shifts and new representations of the Salmonids.

Integrating lore, the game presents the idea of “salt” on the Spirhalite Islands that affects Salmonid behavior, rendering them more aggressive. This narrative adjustment aims to position players as explorers traversing a peculiar, unsettling landscape rather than as invaders in a serene paradise.

**Reflection on Themes**

The insights from the *Ask the Developer* conversation highlight the intricacies of dealing with sensitive subjects in a child-oriented franchise. The developers’ recognition of the repercussions of their narrative selections is praiseworthy, especially in light of Nintendo’s historical interactions with contentious topics, including colonialism.

Nonetheless, the modifications made may provoke further inquiries regarding the ethical considerations of gameplay that centers on treasure hunting in populated islands. The contrast between the competitive multiplayer nature of *Splatoon* and PvE confrontations against Salmonids introduces an additional complication.

As *Splatoon Raiders* approaches its launch, the gaming community is eagerly watching how these changes unfold. Will the game adeptly manage its thematic material, or will it unintentionally venture into sensitive areas?

**Conclusion**

With *Splatoon Raiders* poised to launch on July 23, the conversation around its design and storytelling is only just commencing. The delicate balance of crafting an engaging gaming experience while remaining attuned to its themes will surely influence player perspectives and experiences within the *Splatoon* realm.

I know full well that pally RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2 has its Dark Arisen expansion out this year. Still, two years and one megalo-DLC announcement after release, what I still find most fascinating about it is the Dragonsplague: an insidious affliction that quietly infects your mates (or Pawns, whatever) and heightens their fighting prowess, but if left untreated, can induce a bescaled hissy fit that will kill the entire population of your favourite NPC village. Overtuned, ill-communicated bullshit, or laudably bold application of arrogance-punishing friction? These days I lean the latter, but still, what an interesting mechanic that I can think about it on and off since 2024.

Capcom, meanwhile, always seemed to play the hedging game, patching in various tweaks and tunings to Dragonsplague in an attempt to placate both camps. The game’s Title Update 3.2, due in late August (ahead of Dark Arisen on October 9th), appears to come down further on the ‘Angry fire virus can be fun, actually’ side – though according to a Q&A with producer Naoto Oyama and expansion director Kento Kinoshita, these upcoming changes will bring Dragonsplague more in line with Capcom’s original vision for it.

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