okok so I have a theory for Splatoon Raiders' plot. continue reading if you're curious, skip on by if you want to build your own approach, whatevr
i DO think this is the Save Our Salmons game that the 2020 New Year post ominously dropped. I suspect Splatoon 3 was supposed to be the answer to that with defeating Mr. Grizz in the storymode, introducing the Big Run, and intending to make a later DLC, which got turned into Raiders. An ongoing plot.
So I think the overarching story will be that Deep Cut + this random ass mechanic they dragged along were trying to find some fabled treasure from the salmonids' land, but their plane crashed on the very edge of the islands due to some salmonid whatever interference. They roll with the punches and decide to grab as much treasure as they can on their way to the Big Treasure.
However, over the course of their adventure, they slowly start to comprehend that this isn't some whimsical treasure they're grabbing, random shit that they can sell to help Splatsville, but actual beloved artifacts that belong to the salmonids, who they may be at war with but are their own people at the end of the day. They're just trying to live peacefully and protect their culture, but Deep Cut have been taking it without a second thought.
We r also going to skillfully dodge around the fact that they haven't just been stealing their shit but also Fucking Murdering Them bc this is Splatoon we just do that. Free reign to murder outside of the multiplayer modes who gaf. But anyway yeahhh oh noooo these are real people and not just mindless drones we've been stealing from who can believe it
Then in some way they're going to have to help save the salmonids of the Spirhalite Islands with their new We Fucked Up mindset - I saw in Rassicas' video, they noticed salt crusted on the salmonids that seemed to increase over the span of the trailer, and theorized that there was an infection spreading through the salmonids of the islands, so maybe Deep Cut will find a way to help with that. Or maybe there's another force that's trying to steal the Big Treasure and they'll team with the salmonids to defeat them. Who know. Many possibilities.
This likely leads into Splatoon 4 in some way too, considering I don't think Deep Cut have that much influence to change the world's perspective on salmonids on their own, though maybe they garner up more support for an anti-war cause. Perhaps from here we figure out what the deal with Lil Judd is, and find a way to save the salmonids on a wider scale, something or other. Could be many things. Honestly I'm really jumping the shark here just slapping this on a canvas as though my little theory will be correct enough to fit in this way. Splatoon 4 is years out man.
Anyway. One day we will venture out and Save Our Salmons. I think this is the best opportunity to at least start, story-wise. Ngl would be kinda weird to have a whole ass game dedicated to slaughtering the salmonids and just come back later and be like "lol remember that time beloved idols Deep Cut just straight up invaded their territory, stole all their shit, and killed thousands? crazy. and now we know they're an innocent species that deserves to be left in peace. hey little Timmy, did you have fun playing as the Mechanic in Raiders?".
Would not be great for the conscience. Better to establish it here.
2026 lets save our slammins baybee
