Splatoon 3 Splatfest World Premiere Demo: Start Time, How to Join and More
Splatoon 3 is coming to the Nintendo Switch in just a few weeks, but Nintendo is giving players an early try with a special Splatfest World Premiere demo. Taking place next week, this free, limited-time demo event will offer all Switch owners their first hands-on experience of the upcoming team shooter.
Here’s everything you need to know about the demo, from launch to download.
What is the Splatfest World Premiere?
The Splatfest World Premiere is a demo slash beta test for Splatoon 3. Beginning August 25, players who download the demo will be able to explore the game’s main hub, Splatsville, and take part in a short tutorial that explains the basics of the gameplay. Then, on August 27, players can take part in the headlining attraction: Splatoon 3’s first “Splatfest,” an in-game type event where you choose a team and earn points for your side by playing in Turf War -Play matches.
When does the Splatfest World Premiere start?
The Splatfest World Premiere demo will be playable starting August 25th, but the Splatfest itself will take place on Saturday August 27th. The event lasts 12 hours, from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. PT.
Unlike Splatfests in previous Splatoon games, the World Premieres event will be split in half. During the first half of Splatfest (until 3pm PT), players will engage in traditional four-on-four turf wars. However, during the rest of the event you will be engaged in new Tricolor Turf Wars. Four players from the first-placed team and two players from the second- and third-placed teams compete in a three-way battle.
How do I enter Splatfest?
To attend the Splatfest World Premiere, all you have to do is download the free demo client from Nintendo eShop and log in during the event hours.
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online?
Since Splatfest is an online event, you need one Nintendo Switch Online Subscription to Participate. If you’re not already a member, Nintendo is offering a free seven-day trial of the service to anyone who installs the demo.
You will receive the free trial code by email after downloading the demo client. However, the code will not be redeemable until August 25th, when the demo becomes playable.
What are you doing at Splatfest?
In previous games, Splatfests traditionally asked you to join one of two opposing sides and fight them for supremacy. Splatoon 3 shakes things up a bit by giving you three different teams to choose from, but the basics are otherwise the same. Head to the Splatfest Terminal in Splatsville Square, select the side you wish to represent, then engage in online matches to rack up points for your team.
For the Splatfest world premiere, Nintendo is asking players to decide once and for all what’s best: rock, paper or scissors?
OK, sorry – we’re so excited we’re just going to keep tweeting. How about this Splatfest world premiere! First, the idea of a 3-way splatfest is overwhelming. And the topic? A statistical study of the advantages of rock vs paper vs scissors? We faint. Scientific. pic.twitter.com/i4nMruxBKM
— Splatoon North America (@SplatoonNA) August 10, 2022
Once you’ve decided on a side, you can jump into Splatoon’s signature online mode: Turf War. Unlike a typical online shooter, the goal of this mode is not to eliminate the other team, but to cover more of the map with your ink. The team that has colored the most grass at the end of the three minutes wins the match.
Splatoon 3 is coming to Nintendo Switch on September 9th. Nintendo has a variety of free updates planned for the game after its release, including new stages, weapons, and modes. The company also announced a “big” paid DLC expansion that will feature Splatoon 2’s popular idols Pearl and Marina, although no further details about it have been revealed just yet.