Splatoon 3 has been consistently gaining traction since its launch in September, particularly for its excellent enhancements to the multiplayer along with an improved Salmon Run mode and solid single-player component. But it seems players in Japan are starting to get concerned about the use of QR codes in the game's hub area (thanks, Automaton).
Players can currently add illustrations into the Splatoon 3 hub area as fairly high resolution pixel art. As such, some users are utilising this to add QR codes to their creations, leading people who scans these with their mobile devices to online websites.
Naturally, this feature may potentially lead some users to stumble across unsavoury online content, and users in Japan are starting to notice:
Translated, the tweet reads:
"Hey! if you see a QR code in the hub area, do not scan and click it! You have no idea what kind of site or video it could lead to! It's no laughing matter and worst-case scenario could force you to buy something! Stop it!"
Of course, the existence of QR codes within Splatoon 3 isn't an issue in itself so long as players choose not to scan them. But, well... you know how curiosity gets the better of some people. At the time of writing, it appears that there have been no reports of harmful content as of yet, but that doesn't mean there won't be any in the future.
Splatoon 2 also featured the ability to add QR codes into the game, but users are apparently starting to notice now thanks to one particular instance going viral in-game, which featured an image of a famous actor with a QR code next to it. Nintendo deleted the content due to it going against their policy of promoting advertisements and while it doesn't appear that this instance contained harmful material, users are getting increasingly concerned that it may set a dangerous precedent going forwards.
Perhaps one to keep an eye on if you're wandering around the hub area!
Have you seen any QR codes in Splatoon 3 yet? Do you think it's something Nintendo needs to address? Let us know!
[source automaton-media.com]
Comments 35
I have not noticed this. I do miss being able to post on this without having a Facebook or twitter. I’m practically off the grid but I would like to share some funny sketches.
Yea you definitely should be able to post QR codes. Could lead you to something really messed up, like free crypto
Welp, time to shut it down. It was nice knowing yah, fan art in game posts!
just implement a software that scan these codes before posting. can't be that difficult nintendo^^
I used to post back in Splatoon 1, but without the Wii U gamepad I always found the same action in 2 and now 3 to be an absolute chore.
I do like checking out random posts here and there, but I'd never scan a QR code someone posted.
I don't see this as an issue. The game already has a report feature, and honestly, scanning a random QR code is not something that I expect most people to do especially since you can't do that in-game but instead need to use your phone.
Saw a QR code around my plaza a few days ago but I didn't scan it since I assumed it was just the QR code you used to get the SplatNet 3 Banner for your Splashtag. Turns out that one was a Rickroll of all things but yeah: stay away from that kind of stuff. If you see one, report it just in case. I'd much rather see cool art in the post rather than a link in said post that takes me somewhere else.
I found splatoon 3 on Amazon for £14, thought was a scam but ordered 3 copies and it was legit! Normal price was back up and I will now trade them in for decent profit! Not bad business haha
I did play it but gonna resale as not a game I'll play much.
@Browny can't you just switch to handheld mode and use the touchscreen? 🤔
I would have no idea how to draw in a QR code, unless you can just paste it in. Wow, yes definitely recommend people be cautious of this. Hopefully Nintendo can and will do something to stop illustrated QR codes by other users in the main hub from working.
Report the offenders and don’t scan them.
@GreenFlash Seems like a good way for Nintendo's servers to get hacked
Daft old me thought they were just decoration 😂
I haven’t seen any yet, but I got a feeling that will change soon. Best thing we can do know is report them. And since you need a twitter or Facebook account to even post it, You can report those to.
Can't add anything nice to video games.
@Bizzyb
I'm primarily a docked player, so that would involve switching to handheld, and then using my finger to draw something.
I already can't draw well, and my finger is clumsy as all heck compared to a stylus 😂
So yeah, doesn't really work for me anymore. It's fine, though. There are far more artistically inclined people out there I can enjoy.
Unreal that people still need to be told not to scan these tbh. Given the message of Internet safety being drummed into our heads you wouldn't think people would need to be told at all but I guess there are those who always let their curiosity get the better of them whether it's for better or for worse.
@KoopaTheGamer I agree! Seems like common sense to me.
It's the year 2022, surely people know better than to click on random links on internet?
For marketing the QR code is actually a cool idea in games.
Unfortunately some react to sensitive and some abuse it. The rest of well i guess we can sit back and laugh at them. 😂
It's a miracle they aren't 90% penis drawings to be honest
wonder if any are Nintendo's own codes reused &/or brought to attention? was surprised to learn they have sent out a few.
i only saw one qr code in the hub so far, it had no other details aside from the qr code. i scanned it, all the while saying to myself "oh this is absolutely a rickroll. theres no way this isnt a rickroll". as you can guess, it ended up being a rickroll.
moral of the story is people may expect rickrolls and will instead be forced to download some inane stuff or viruses or whatever💔
These are the people clicking links in emails and anonymous DMs. Darwin never loses.
@sneaky_sasquatch then they need better security ^^
Only QR code I've seen was in the News Feed from Nintendo that I think I clicked on with my phone and was able to get a banner or character t-shirt or something. I thought this article was going to be about Nintendo getting carried away giving out skins via QR codes. 🤷♂️
This is why we can’t have nice things
@Browny You can buy a stylus on Amazon for cheap. I get being a docked player as I am as well, but its not too much of a chore just to take your Switch out for a little bit to post.
I could never get good with drawing in Splatoon 2. I loved drawing on the Wii U GamePad, but using a stylus on the Switch just doesn’t work for me.
This is NOT the worst thing these drawings can be lol. This won’t get it shut down if it hasn’t been yet.
@GreenFlash What? These are being drawn using the drawing feature. Nintendo can’t implement something that can tell if it’s a QR code, that’s not how game development works.
I really don’t know how Nintendo could fix this other than removing the feature entirely. Why can’t people on the internet just be mature about things.
Most people are too busy posting “I like men” and “Trans rights!!!1!!” to bother doing a QR code post.
@C-Threep Add the occasional furry and amogus, and you've got the entire Sploon 3 playerbase
@RubyCarbuncle This. It's just such a non-issue. Saying it's a problem is like saying you shouldn't have internet access because it gives you the ability to go to bad sites. If you don't want to run the risks entailed by scanning them.. don't scan them! Really couldn't be simpler.
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