Splatoon co-director Tsubasa Sakaguchi has revealed to Eurogamer that he and the rest of the team were surprised at how quickly players reached the game's level cap.
As you'll be aware if you've already played Nintendo's excellent online shooter, Splatoon features an experience point system which allows players to progress through various skill levels, with level 20 being the current maximum.
Some players hit that ceiling quite soon after launch, causing some degree of concern within the development team:
When we were designing Splatoon, reaching level 20 was going to take quite a lot of time. Learning the game mechanics with the gyro sensor - we thought that would take a lot of time. In that sense we're surprised that people have reached the level cap in such a short time. We're actually really worried about those people - worried that they're still sleeping and eating!
Naturally, Eurogamer asked if the level cap would be raised at any point to provide additional challenge to players, and Sakaguchi hinted that a forthcoming announcement may be on the way:
We recognise that a lot of people have reached level 20, and that there's not much left to do in the game. There's not much I can announce today, but I hope you can look forward to some future announcements.
August will bring another key update which allows for matchmaking and team creation, but Sakaguchi says that Nintendo isn't currently planning to go down the route of offering paid DLC to expand the game's appeal:
At the moment, we're not planning any paid download content. Beyond August, there'll be new stages and new weapons slowly being released.
Finally, Sakaguchi revealed that although Splatoon is a very new franchise in Nintendo's library, he wants it to have a long and fruitful life:
We're extremely happy about the response we received from everyone, but we feel it's just the start. Splatoon, our main goal, is for the people who are currently playing, when they become adults, to pass it on to their children.
[source eurogamer.net]
Comments 70
LOL they should look at the stats of those that play MMOs.
it's good to hear that the paid DLC isn't coming anytime soon.
Me and my friends will play for a few hours a night, but in the early days getting close to 1500 on average every game ramped up our levels so fast we were at 20 within a few days.
I find it surprising they feel that way, with how they set up Splatfest. I probably played more Splatoon in that 24 hour period to reach the max Splatfest rank than any other 24 hour period, even at launch. Surely they expected people would want to hit the max rank, so they can't then turn around and say oh we only expect people to play three or four games a day.
It took me about 5 weeks, with the final 4 levels all coming during that Splatfest day, and I'll be honest, I've barely touched the game since. Without the drive of ranking up to unlock more gear, I don't feel too compelled to play apart from new map days. I'm eagerly anticipating a rising of the cap and some more wearable gear for each new level.
@Peach64 That's a rather good point.
Does this confirm that the Wii U's internet capabilities WON'T be shut off like the DS and Wii were a while ago? Because otherwise, the kids of today wouldn't be able to play this game with their future children.
@Peach64 I'm kind of the oposite! I reached level 20 but I dont feel there's nothing else to do...I keep returning for the ranked battles - tower control and splat zones are really fun and challenging (and there's the rank to level up!)
@EarthboundBenjy yeah, I also thougt about that... I hope they have something planned to mantain splatoon
@EarthboundBenjy You see it wasn't Nintendo's choice to shut down the Wii and DS servers, Glu Mobile shutdown all the servers after purchasing GameSpy. But the Wii U and 3DS are different because they are owned by Nintendo so it would be Nintendo (or DeNA if they take over the Wii U/3DS servers as part of the partnership deal) that would have to choose to shut the servers down rather than a consequence of another company's problems.
Once I finished the single player and got the scrolls, I forgot about Splatoon and moved on to Yoshi and Arkham. I like the idea of going back in August after I've finished the other games and catch up with all the new stuff.
Levels did nothing but allow for the purchase of extra weapons. Unless they added more stuff to unlock as you progressed in levels then raising the level cap would be pointless.
@EarthboundBenjy The Wii & DS only lost online gameplay because the company they paid to do the servers went under and I don't think they were able to take them over.
Wii U servers are done by Nintendo, so it won't be a problem.
Tbh I got bored of the game after reaching max level. I've moved onto other games. I thought I would like this games more than I did.
I can see how others would just want to keep playing it long term though.
I'm only at 14 at the moment but my kid hit level 20 in about a week. If they decide to raise the level cap I hope they at least wait awhile. The game hasn't been out that long.
Very happy to hear there'll be more and more free content coming, already have so much love for this game and that's only increasing. I think it's a good idea to increase the level cap; it's a fun way to manufacture a sense of progression, in my opinion. My only wish is that they will soon let us choose between tower control and splat zones. Maybe when 'rain maker' arrives they could open something else up to increase the options a little.
I'm not sure why they chose to have a level cap of just 20, but a the same time it doesn't really bother me. Reaching level 20 is certainly not the goal of the game. Level is no indicator of skill, merely time spent inking. I reached 20 ages ago but I'm still only a B rank. For me that's the bigger challenge.
That's because they're nieve to the time spent on a proper online shooter. Most people play for hours in one session and rack up levels with ease. Do us all a favor and raise the cap to 50 and see in less then a week people will be there no matter how much experience is required. It could be 500k but people will be there. Shoot I've probably got that much since I've been at level 20.
@Mauhiho Well that means you play for about 15 minutes. I hit the level cap in a week. I have a job and pay rent - and I have a clean house - I sleep plenty - just saying - I even skipped a day - the game is addictive - did they not think about that? They could give us more equipment - they could up the level cap after more and more people get to 20 - up it to 30 - and wait. Keep doing that - as the EXP for each level goes up, eventually it would be really really difficult to get to say level 50. It took me a good day to get from 19 to 20. Where as I got to level 8 or 9 in the first day playing.
Around Level 11-12 I think I am, but I doubt I'll go much higher. Its a great game but I guess I've just readfirmed my realisation that I just don't enjoy online multiplayer games much due to their repetitive nature. I may dive in for the odd few matches but its like 4-6 matches and then I'm good for the next month.
I would like to see a really big level that barely involves attacking the other team. Like make it so big that you would have to decide "I'm gonna go as fast as I can to get to the other team" - just for variety - so that there can be an almost "free paint" level - ok now that I type it it sounds kind of lame....
So if they didn't expect us to reach max level so fast, they probably don't think we will finish a Mario game in a day then. Hmmmm... maybe they can lengthen their games now?
I find it puzzling that some here have moved on from Splatoon after achieving level 20 - have they not heard of the ranked battle mode?? I've poured a lot of time in these and the difference between winning and losing is much more intense and rewarding. I've almost reached level B; don't think I'm good enough to be an A player.
There's plenty to do after reaching level 20. Like buying all the gear and level it all up. I'm still working on a perfect set before entering ranked battles and I reached level 20 months ago. I'm actually worried that I won't have time to play other games, which should be a good thing. Overall I think Splatoon has offered plenty of value.
The experience system was based more on playtime than skill. If you won more often leveling up was a bit faster but inevitably all you needed to do was play for X hours which in a game this addictive wasn't hard. There's still plenty to do once you've reached lvl 20 though like getting better gear.
I just reached level 20 this past week, and I just beat the final boss in the as story mode last night. I have a feeling that beating the final boss with the sniper amiibo challenge is going to be a pain in the butt.
umm... really? It's the summer when all kids need to do are eat, sleep, poop and then they can do whatever they want. And last I checked, you can do two of those three while playing video games so...
Oh, I see, that's why the European Splatfest was Eating versus Sleeping, it acted as a reminder too XD
Anyway I hope they won't blindly raise the level cap, that thing was useful for slowly unlock weapons and therefore discovery the game little by little instead than be overwhelmed with contenent.
I'll see a reason in a new level cap only if they'll add in such update also a TON of new weapons and gears; else they'll end to add only a skinner box and this game already have enough tricks and traps keeping us hooked ^_^;;;
I wish Devil's Third had the same release date in US as it does in Japan because I've almost entirely lost interest in Splatoon anymore. DTs multiplayer looks to be exactly what I need.
@chardir
+1
Reaching level 20 means nothing. Now you need to at least work for Rank A. Also reroll and reroll gears until you get that perfect subabilities.
They've a point. But still, reaching the level cap in Splatoon has to be one of the easiest "grinds" in video gaming. Even a non-basement dwelling neckbeard no-lifer is liable to achieve it righto quick.
Also a tip to those leveling up. Play Ranked Battles when you hit level 10. Winning one Ranked Battle is almost equal to 3 (average score) winning Turf Battles. And score/XP gets bigger and bigger as you climb rank.
I must be the only person on here that actually thinks the "experience levels" are pointless? The only thing they do is enable the player to purchase a certain weapon upon reaching a new level. There are other ways that they could have done this. They could have done it with weapon specific achievements. Like 20 wins with the .52 Gal unlocks the .52 Gal Deco; or covering a specific amount of area with the Splat Roller unlocks the Ink Brush.
I'm still loving this game. Even though I'm at 20, there's still getting the gear with all the abilities I want, and A+ left for me to get. Currently I'm at rank B+, but was A-
I didn't even know there was a level cap. Maybe they should extend it past 20. On launch day, so many people had already reached Level 10 I thought they'd been playing non-stop! (then again, they probably were)
Ha! But wait, reaching the level cap doesn't mean you have less to do. Quite the contrary, really; it gives you access to more gear to try out and unlock skills, and it pits you against (theoretically) some of the toughest competition. It doesn't even slightly limit the game's scope. Given the thriving online multiplayer, at no point would I think I've nothing left to do, just because I've reached what is presently Maximum Freshness.
@Spoony_Tech You think there's any chance the servers or Wii U kept track of that 500k and you'll wake up one morning and be level 35? (I have no idea how MMOs handle it, just that they seem to get raised level caps w/ every major update.)
So many stats in this game they could have potentially kept track of, something as simple as win - loss in turf war. Still thinking about starting my own Stat sheet but not sure how to go about it. Maybe the August update will help?
I just hope they tweak it so you have more than two maps per mode. That should keep the variety up.
At this point, I play the game in bursts when working on ranked mode and quite often during splatfests. The game will benefit from additional modes and a rising of the level cap, methinks.
level cap doesn't bother me. I've played more post level 20 then I did obtaining 20. I play ranked battles exclusively and keep yo-yoing between B- and B+. So there is still a lot of mileage left in this game for me. Also, I've been experimenting with different weapons and discovering weapons I initially ignored to becoming my favorites like the squiffer. There's nothing more satisfying in this game for me then squiffing three badguys within seconds in splatzones before refilling my tank.
Didn't they already say this a while back?
@rjejr Stranger things have happened Donna! When I finally got to G rank in Monster Hunter 4U I went from level 7 to like 48 just because it was keeping track of all I did up to that point so it could happen.
At some points it worries me too, especially for people in Japan. It's kind of weird playing in the afternoon with more than half of the people in the lobby having Japanese names. I'm pretty sure it's like around 2-5am oversea by comparison. Maybe it just me and the way the game match people up.
In any case the game is addictive. If my Gamepad battery didn't last 3-5 hours on a charge (my way of taking breaks), I would have way longer play sessions.
It took me ~21 hours to reach level 20 & I didn't even do it in one sitting!
Splatoon is such a great game. We're sure to get an even better sequel on NX
My sleep and eating habits are fine, I just play Splatoon in-between those moments.
Level 20? Really? Please Make level 9999 possible as in Disgaea. Level 100 is at min these days. Some game studios really thinking people won't go beyond that level. You're limiting us with your low cap
Just got the game with a Wii U a week ago and am sitting on level 12. Moved on to play some Smash atm but will probably reach 20 once I return unless the grind becomes unbearable.
Splatoon is becoming a little boring.
I'm still at 17. School, work, and marriage have to come before video games. Hopefully I'll reach level 20 before they bump the cap up. I suppose if I solely played Splatoon then I would have already reached it.
@AyeHaley You should probably take a break from it and play some other games for a while. That usually works for me when I get bored of a game.
Ranked battles are addicting, fun and intense. Once you get in the B levels there are some really good players. Plus, there are plenty of different weapon types that you can try and master. The way they are rolling out new content at a regular pace keeps things fresh and interesting. Level 20 doesn't mean a lot but adding in higher levels that take time to reach would be nice, but not a big deal at all. And splatfests are a blast and quite competitive.
@ultraraichu Some people naturally stay up very late or wake up very early, a lot of people have insomnia and wake up for a couple hours in the middle of the night before going back to sleep, or a lot of people are forced to work strange hours and adjust their sleep schedule accordingly.
Seriously what on earth are people saying? Kids, family, full time job: it took a few days to reach lvl 20! They should have an enormous lvl cap, even if it achieves nothing, a false sense of progression would be most welcome!
Furthermore they should add a ranked battle for Turf War!
I didn't get up to level 20 until the day before the first splatfest (I've had the game since day 1). Of course I don't get to play everyday. If I ever get tired of multiplayer, I'll still have the single player mode to finish. Still enjoy the game though.
Leave it to Nintendo to worry about their fans like this! I can't count the times one of their games has asked me if I need a break. Though I haven't heard of those notices being in Splatoon, maybe they'll come with the next update.
Well, seems like Nintendo thinks we need the QoL platform more than ever, LOL!
When i had three game i made it to level 20 in less then a week. This game got really old for me very quick cause Nintendo didn't add enough into this game. They really needed the level cap way higher then 20, that was kind of pathetic.
I really fon't know what people are complaining about...
I've reached level 20 a long time ago, but there is plenty to do with checking all the gears and ranked beattles...The lvl cap doesn't mean much exept to unlock the gear.
I bet most people here don't have A+ on their ranked battle, didn't beat the single player campaign but still complain......even if they raise the cap lvl, people will have the max lvl within a few hours and start complaining again, beacause people look at the cap but don't look beyond that.
I Woudl't mind some more gear, but i'm not complaining, they keep adding more levels/ weapons and the Rakend battle are seriously hard
@Yorumi I think the worst case of an overpowered weapon in the game is the Aerospray RG, although there are a few others that get kind of close. What other weapons do you think are OP in the game?
@Yorumi I agree with most of what you said. By the way, do you still play Splatoon or did you get bored of it?
@Yorumi Yeah, that's understandable. I get a bit bored of it myself too so I tend to take breaks from the game every once in a while.
I'm still hoping Nintendo releases more patches for the game and fix it up or at the very least fix some issues with the August update, but I'm frightened that after August they may stop. I really want to see some weapon and abilities being balanced out and several other of the game's features to be fixed (like the map rotations or the matchmaking).
The game has a lot of things that they can fix up and improve on.
@Yorumi By the way, good luck with learning Blazblue and finishing FF14. I think I'll stick with Splatoon for a bit, just to see how long the game lasts and how much it progresses, and hopefully it does change for the better.
I've played Splatoon almost every day since launch and reached level 20 and A+99 in ranked in a reasonable amount of time. I've completed the single player, found every sunken scroll, and completed all the amiibo challenges. From what I'm reading in some of the responses some people would say that there's little reason for me to come back to the game since I have achieved "everything" but I don't find that to be true. I have made every item I own 3 sockets and I'm currently working on perfect rolls for the gear that has an affinity for specific sub abilities. I also play regularly with a forum of highly skilled players and the best thing about PvP is that no game plays out the same.
Welcome to the competitive online shooter genre, Mr. Sakaguchi and Nintendo. This is par for the course, in terms of speedy achievement hunters. They're sleeping and eating, you all just didn't pay attention to the genre's standards before designing your game! . Here's hoping they're willing to add more in the future- they've only served up an appetizer thus far!
@Yorumi FF14? Which server? I have a SCH on Balmung.
@Koniec I know what you mean, I still play the game too, but the level cap is a little annoying because you don't feel as if you can make more progress any more - you've reached the maximum level of skill etc.. Apart from trying to get to A+...
Interesting interview! With the look on his face while commenting the level cap issue (watch out for announcements), I'm pretty sure there will be a raise in the near future.
@Yorumi
Wasn't attacking, but if you feel offended by my words then....can't say i'm sorry due I didn't attack or insult you or or other posters...just stating that some people tend to jus dislike the game
I play paintbrush and am doing quite good, it only sucks if people disconnect and its a 3vs4 or 2vs4. Hardly have any lag at all, so I don't really understand some complaints. and that OP....well they said that for the roller too, it seems to be that people who are just good with their weapon are generally hard to beat evenmore so a team that works well together.
In that issue i agree with you that winning can depend on luck due that the teams keep shifting, I much rather preferred 1 team and if people leave they get replaced with new players, cross fingers that they fix that in the august update.
@Calllack well, now after August 6th the problem is solved
I got to the level cap pretty fast once Ranked came out, but I did play so much I barely got any sleep. Even now I play a few hours every day after work or until I ragequit haha
From the moment I got the game, I could feel that this was a great beginning to a good series. So many things they can expand on in the next installment--like different hair styles, decorating your own squid room, visiting your friends' squid room, different squid bands hosting the Splatfest instead of only Callie and Marie, other amiibos unlocking character-inspired gear
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