We all expected Splatoon 3 to be a huge hit in Japan, but the third mollusc shooter has taken the entire world by storm since its release two weeks ago. It's even made an impact in countries where it hasn't been released! One such case is in China — as highlighted by Niko Partners Senior Analyst Daniel Ahmad — where 46% of streamers across several Chinese streaming services streamed Splatoon 3 since its 9th September launch.
This data has been taken from Niko Partners' China Games Streaming Tracker, and it shows that not only are 46% of streamers broadcasting their ink-tastic gameplay, but 72% of tips on the three services listed (DouYu, Huya, and Bilibili) have also gone to Splatoon 3 streams.
Even though Nintendo's inklings and octolings haven't officially made a splat in China, that hasn't stopped streamers from importing the game. Splatoon 3 is also the first game in the series to have a Simplified Chinese localisation, which is likely widening the game's appeal in the country:
Back in 2021, Nintendo was the market leader in China. Nintendo partnered with Tencent to release the Switch in the country in 2019, which has sold 1 million units. We're sure Splatoon 3 will eventually splash land in China officially which will likely help the console boost Nintendo's place in the market even more. The Switch OLED model launched in China in January 2022, just three months after its worldwide release.
- Further reading - Nintendo Is Now The Market Leader In Video Gaming's Biggest Region
In more Splatoon 3 news, the next Splatfest is taking place this weekend. Make sure you check out our guide to find out what time the competition kicks off in your region or head here to track the best deals on the game if you're yet to buy a copy.
Are you impressed with Splatoon 3's worldwide impact? Take a dip in the comments to share your thoughts!
[source nikopartners.com, via twitter.com]
Comments 15
I just can't get into Splatoon 3, loved the first two. What's wrong with me?!
@Sequel Nothing, absolutely nothing, everyone gots there taste, and sometimes even limits for games, maybe, you hit your,
@Sequel nothing. Splatoon is a full on multiplayer experience mostly, I can see why you’re not in rush. I dropped out of 2, but I did get my hands 3 day one since I hadn’t played it in a while.
Splatoon 2 came out on a time where Splatoon 1 was still a fresh memory and many other cool games had my attention, so I kinda of missed on the online part of that game – came back later for the single player campaign and DLC.
Splatoon 3 had me hooked since the Splatfest Demo. Finished the single player and am enjoying the online battles as much as I did on Splatoon 1 (the new card game is fun too)
I had to abandon the Single Player part of it completely. Good God some of the destroy all targets Stages are just beyond insufferable. I came that close THAT close to throwing my Switch across the room and I NEVER get angry playing games at all. Such a shame because I loved the Single Player in Splatoon 1 and 2 but here? my patience has reached its limit.
I'm surprised its allowed over there tbh. With china having such strict laws i would think it would be banned on the spot for being a shooter.
@Bluelink45
Given Mario Kart 8 Deluxe has hit the scene, there wouldn't be that much of a reason to exclude Splatoon 3 unless it was explicitly violent. The game strategically uses different terms to make it appropriate for kids to play.
However, one reason Splatoon could be banned is for the cultural implications, particularly involving character design and characteristics
Removed - inappropriate
@Sequel Nothing wrong with you at all. Nothing much has changed so it's understandable you're struggling to get into it and tbh given the fact the Matchmaking is completely unbalanced atm or at least based on my experience it certainly feels like this that could be another reason.
Makes perfect sense to me! Despite the obvious cultural differences between China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan there is a lot of overlap when it comes to taste in gaming. So, despite it not launching yet in Mainland China the fact that Splatoon fever is already taking over is not surprising to me and I can only see the series hitting a sales explosion once officially on Chinese shores (after removing Japanese symbols of course. The game will still be censored).
@RubyCarbuncle It does feel like nothing much has changed and what has changed is worse. Music is less catchy, respawn less fun, and I can't wrap my head around these drab brown new levels, so dull and forgettable.. especially for a game about vibrancy and slick visual design. When they hinted at splatoon being 90s inspired. I didn't think that would mean Quake.
@RubyCarbuncle "we fire them at you while you only have a charger". oh yeah anger problems. yeah yeah git gud they say...sure with enough tries one will eventually work.
@RubyCarbuncle
My gosh I feel you.
That one where you hit the balloon targets with 3 weapons and one was a charger.
I just said 'welp guess I'm not 100 percenting this game then' XD
I wonder how their "communication error has occurred" situation is over there.
@silverninja Dear God what were they thinking when making some of these? some guy must have literally been at the meeting table, rubbed his hands with glee and said hey guys I got a great idea let's make these Stages the worst form of Psychological torture for the Player imaginable.
@Sequel Agreed. I mean I like the Multiplayer but yeah just feels the exact same atm.
@Nanami_Ataraxi Yup that was pretty much me too. It's just not worth the hassle.
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