I really wanna play this game.

This is sounding neat.

A game like this ideally needs online chat to co-operate with teammates effectively! Other modes would be a good idea so it doesn't get repetitive too quick. 0/10 to much ink - IGN.

Aww... So I HAVE to play online to get coins...? Not a big fan of playing online, but... I'll still play.

Post-launch support confirmed? I wonder what kind of support that will be...

definatley needs chat support.Do it the same way mh3 did with wiiu gamepad,would be great!

The hype for Splatoon better be good! It sounds "eh" from the inkfomation, but I'm sure this game will be a inktabulous one!

you will probably has a set jester or voice commands you can use. lack of voice chat is worrying.tho i understand why they would do it. still excited for this game tho

As for me, I still think a 8 year old when given the option, could to easily hit yes and hear something he shouldn't.

Exactly, the ability to mute people would fix any concerns Nintendo would have.

Not being able to communicate in a game like this doesn't make sense. At E3 they even pointed out it was necessary to communicate. Also, in the Famitsu article, there will be no bots. They also said 4v4 online will not start until all 8 players have connected. What happens if someone gets disconnected or leaves early?

nice catch on direct, it would be nice to have some kind of contact.

I think Nintendo forgets that parent control exists sometimes.

You see, this is what p!sses me off with Nintendo. Not allowing voice communication for connectivity sake is one thing. But, I honestly believe they are still stuck with a pure Sesame Street mentality which henders their games from truly achieving their full potential.

Let's not forget, we have a BUILT IN MICROPHONE! And what do we use it for? blowing minigames.

That is true. If a parent is resposible enough to say, "No, don't do that", then everything is fine. Unless the child does it anyway, in which case his disobedience has probably led him to worse things anyways... That said, I don't use voice chat that often in games like TF2, because I don't want to hear it regardless. If that makes me a bad teammate, so be it.

@wiiunews- PREACH IT TO THE CROWD, BROTHA!

@Folkloner, exactly! And it's not like Nintendo is spending major $$$ to cover all the internet traffic on their servers. Server farms are relatively cheap compared to 15 years ago. And Nintendo servers don't host the games. They're simply used for matchmaking. All of Nintendo games, like most of the PS4 ánd XBO games are P2P.

Although I still look forward for Splatoon, I don't know if the game allows to form your team (invite friends) and take against the world. Not having that option will sure be a wasted potential.

i agree with you gents. Nintendo seems to forget that the segment of their clientele that actually pays for the products they produce are old enough to handle online communication. the kiddies aren't really where there bread is buttered. like was stated before, what the heck are parent controls for anyway?!

Sounds cooler and cooler every time they release info. Still, I'd hope that 4v4 being the only online configuration doesn't have its drawbacks.

Every 1st party game (that iv played) that has online is always got something missing to keep it 'child friendly'. It gets annoying feeling like I'm being treated like a child all the time.

Just a quick update; you can't use voice chat with the people you're randomly paired up with. After a match ends, the people you were with appear in your plaza and you can talk to them through comments as well as checking out their weapons and gear.

Wait, forget what I said. You already covered that info in one of the comments.

This is bittersweet. I would have loved more modes, but it makes too much sense to have only one mode. One mode allows for better balancing on weapons as well as a more rounded mode. additionally, all stages can be focused for the mode. I just hope you can pair up with friends. Otherwise...

Now that I think about it, even though this does feel very much like a team-oriented game, one has to wonder what to do when you only have 2 players (especially locally). A lack of bots makes sense, but do you think it would be possible to include a 1v1 or 2v2 mode (I realize the 4v4 note was specifically talking about online)?

Y'know, voice chat in Mario Kart & Smash Bros. isn't too big of a deal, because it doesn't impact the game. But when you have a 4v4 online shooter where you HAVE to plan out what you and your teammates do, it's a pretty bad move. I'm still gonna buy the game, but not including an option to use voice chat is baffling.

@Walkrates Not just that, but if they had a bunch of modes, it could split the online community since everyone would want to play a different mode at different times. As you said, it truly is bittersweet.

How about they add a system like the mk8 lobby where you have around 30 notes you can send to the team's tv screens.

It's funny when people say Nintendo's demographic isn't really children any more. Then who are these people who do all those FIRST posts, ask for nothing but yeahs and followers, and ask any random verified user when Flipnote or Minecraft are coming out?

90% of Wii U owners are between 18-35 years old. Stop trying to cater to the 10% who are younger (even less because there are people over 35).

Awesome I'm so hyped for this game!

I totally agree Wii U News, especially for Smash Bros, which has more limited options for online play then MK8 :)

I'm not too fussed with voice chat, the Wii U voice chat isn't particularly great and my friends and I plan to use PC Software to talk whilst playing.

Don't care about voice chat, had my fill of being insulted by 12 year olds on Xbox Live, that and I hate the sound of my own voice, so don't really want it broadcast to others. Game sounds good though, looking forward to it immensely.

@yan-sid - If all the messages are "hello!", "Good luck!" or "That was fun!" then no, thank you.

They should definitely give the option, I don't really understand why they keep giving the option for friends only in things like Smash Bros. and Mario Kart. It's not a problem for me as I use my PC to talk whilst playing but for those who don't have those means then it becomes a problem that could be easily solved.

@Folkloner, If you guys seen projared, he talked with nintendo staff about if you can chat, they said yes. check him out for more info.

I seriously can't understand Nintendo sometimes. "We'll publish a game where a sadistic witch murders lots of angels in the most gruesome fashion, but don't worry, we'll make sure to cut voice chat, so the player can't hear bad words." That's the idea I get.

@Wii U News I've not missed the point, that's just my personal feelings on the matter. I've been playing online games without voice chat for years now and don't miss it, or find its absence a hindrance. People say they want voice chat to discuss strategy and tactics with their team mates, but in reality they just want it to 'banter' and trade insults.

And even with the best of intentions, things slip out in the heat of the moment, falling victim to one too many lucky kills can bring out the worst in people.

@Glo - I get your idea. I'm also not a fan of voice chat. But we can all agree that we should have at least the option to turn it on. ...And if people say that they choose not to do voice chat because of the hardware or online stability, I say: The Conduit, on the Wii, from 2009 had voice chat with 12 people online.

@Folkloner, technically Projared confirmed splatoon has voice chat but I think its restricted to only talking to your party members. This info came from him at E3 2014.

I believe when they said 'Direct' communication they meant no communication to players that are not on your team.

Fix for all: Update that allows a "disable voice chat" mode in Parental Controls, or require the code to open the game up for the first time, then alert the parents about the game's voice chat functionalities. Then, require the PIN code again if someone tries to turn it back on. If there are no Parental Controls on said Wii U, leave the option up to the player. Boom. Problem solved.

It is pretty infuriating that Nintendo would just flat out take it all out when the "kids" they are trying to "protect" are probably the problems in the first place. Add to that the fact that they HAVE PARENTAL CONTROLS and REFUSE TO USE THEM. Fun Fact: It's impossible for a 3DS user under 18 to view ANY M rated content on the E-shop without practically formatting the system. Nintendo is NOT

the parents. It should be up to said parents what games they allow their children to play, but Nintendo LITERALLY outright says that they override the parents. If someone wants to see Metal Gear Solid 3, or Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies on the E-Shop, it shouldn't be up to Nintendo to say yes or no. There's restrictions, and then there's bans. Nintendo is only hurting themselves in doing this.

Was there ever any announcement if there would be Split-Screen Multiplayer? Obviously, there's online, but I haven't heard anything about Local Multiplayer.

@Jery: If thats true then that's how it should be. @Glo: Somepeople online are actually amazing at co operating when they can chat! Iv been owned on COD before due to people having great tactics that wouldn't work if they didn't have voice chat.

Everyone calm down! I'm sorry, but it is confirmed to have voice chat, a person called Projared confirmed it when he was at E3 2014 at the splatoon booth talking to the staff.

@Billy, well Projared said that its only to your party memebers while playing online matches, even on the battlefield. I think they meant when you cant 'direct' communicate to random players, It could be that you cant if they aren't your friends list. Implying friend only voice chat.

Its best not to be quick to assume. Projared is actually a reliable source since he is a reporter.

@Jery: Oh it would have been better to have chat to anyone on your team IMO.

@Jery: Oh it would have been better to have chat to anyone on your team IMO.

@Billy&lt I'm sure there is, but for every one of them there's thousands of morons that will shout abuse at you all day long.

@Glo: That's unavoidable on the internet. Even on miiverse I have seen people posting abuse to others. That's why there is a block button, games with voice chat have the ability to mute certain players to avoid it continuing.

"Hey Nintendo, why not voice chat?" <buys the game anyway>

They will probably implement a system where you can preset a number of commands so you can communicate with your team that way. Or they will have voice chat with people that are on your team only. What I'm wondering about is how online matches work, so if one player drops out will he/she get replaced by another and will the game have dedicated servers?

If you guys are set to buy an upcoming game and are complaining about lack of voice chat, then why don't we organize a massive petition to Nintendo to have this resolved? Like tell them to make a major system update implementing new Parental Controls features and patching it across all major multiplayer titles lacking it. If anyone thinks this is worth pursuing, please respond in comment.

If there are no CPU for balance reasons, then what happens when another player quits?

@Folkloner, It is, Projared confirmed it, look him up, Folkloner.

@Jery, even if someone with a YouTube following like ProJared says something like that, it's better to have official confirmation direct from Nintendo.

But why are we assuming from gameing journalist?

ok, time for me to rant a little. nintendo makes great games and all, but i dont get their reasoning. "Miiverse is a place to express yourself in game-sorted communities and make friends!" but oh, dont ask for friend codes. what? and then they have tons of games on the eshop for you to download to your 50GB (if even) wiiU. want more room? just drop $100 for a wiiU specific terrabyte source! (tbc)

@SOϋP Any old USB compatible storage is good to use with Wii U, they don't sting you on memory cards like Sony do ;)

now personally, i dont care for online chat, but nintendo has to stop catering to the younger audience so much. im almost 18. to me, all the rules should stop applying (for lack of a better term) if your system is registered as 18+. do something wrong? fine, ban. otherwise let the law take care of the big stuff (nintendos biggest fear). im going to buy this game either way, but nintendo has (tbc)

@Folkloner: Yeah, that's definitely the best option before engaging. Would be the perfect trigger for such a big title. In any case, I might just have to make a working petition form.

to stop wondering why sales have decreased when its clear why. their biggest audience (90s kids) is growing up and nintendo hasnt caught up. to me, its more than just 'splatoon online chat.' as it was stated above, nintendo is trying to do a parent's job. to be honest i think if nintendo could go back, they'd take out wii u chat (with very few people use, but still...). (tbc)

to wrap it up, id just like to say i love nintendo, but they need to let us take the training wheels off. they couldnt stop someone if they REALLY wanted to break the rules (alt accounts and system formats for example). someone online acting immaturely? fine, block them. and folkloner, you made awesome points ↑ *end rant*

I REALLY WANT 1V1 M8!!!

Why can't we accept on what they decide to do with the game, its their own IP can't they decide on what they want to do with it?

Of course they can decide what to do with their own product but it's our right to voice our opinions about their choices and then make our final votes with our wallets.

Funny how people defend this decision. Parents should be monitoring what their children are doing, not Nintendo. Disabling voice chat for everyone because the MINORITY of people swear shows that Nintendo is very behind. When a couple of people were misbehaving in Swapnote, the 3DS was communication-less until Miiverse was added. Having what are now standard features in your games helps.

@Jery in no way do i mean any disrespect, but businesses tend to want to do whats most profitable to them

It seems like Nintendo will always take one step forward then two steps back...

At least they are trying to get into online more and i don't see anything about not having chat its so looking good so far.