Among the three hosts of Splatoon 3 is a manta ray named Big Man

Today in a tedious live streamNintendo revealed tons of details about turn 3. Over the course of 30 minutes, Nintendo detailed the upcoming multiplayer shooter’s maps, modes and menu details. Yes, yes, yes, that’s cool and stuff. I’m only here because of the new hosts: a trio called Deep Cut.

First announced last year, turn 3 is the latest in Nintendo’s colorful, happy antithesis to the grumpy multiplayer shooters that tend to dominate the market Call from Duty and gloriole. (I say “happy,” but it’s really a facade for a fictional canon set in the midst of an apocalyptic environmental disaster.) Instead of bullets, you’re shooting paint. Most gameplay is less about the number of kills and more about covering as much of the map as possible with your team’s color.

splatoon have games historical presented a duo of enigmatic “hosts”, in-game personas who keep you up to date with what’s happening in the game – for example the maps that are currently spinning or, because of capitalism, any DLCs that Nintendo has planned.

turn 3, in keeping with the number of its title, will have three hosts: a trio made up of two squidlings – Shiver and Frye – and a large manta ray named, ahem, Big Man. They form the in-game band Deep Cut. They broadcast their messages from the TV studio in Splatsville, turn 3‘s turnstile. But first in a series, Nintendo said in a press release that you can follow their announcements “on the go as you explore.”

Deep Cut also serves as the mascot for Splatfest, a recurring mini-event from previous games. It is divided into several segments. First there is a poll: in the case of turn 3‘s first Splatfest, rock, paper or scissors? You will be assigned to the team you vote for. You then go head-to-head in three-team competitive modes. turn 3The first Splatfest of will be available before launch; A free demo will be available to download starting August 18th, with the actual event running from 12:00pm ET to 00:00am ET on August 27th.

turn 3The full release of is due for the Nintendo Switch on September 9th.