‘Splatoon’ Community Divides Over ‘Splatfest’ Winning Formula!

Welcome to Splatfest! Splatfest is a game mode for Wii U excusive Splatoon that allows all of its players to pick a side (Dogs/Cats, Roller Coasters/Water Slides, etc.) and be able to battle in the mode Turf War while representing their team! These events only happen every once in a while… in game they are celebratory events where the plaza completely changes the setting to an outdoor concert, and leveling up in these events earn you “Super Sea Snails,” which can be used to either add slots to your gear, or re-roll abilities on your gear.

The first Splatfest had drawn a lot of ire because “Popularity” was considered as part of the formula to decide the winning team. This formula, very specifically, is: Popularity Percentage + (Win Percentage x 2). Even though Team Cats had 51 percent of the wins compared to Team Dogs’ 49, Dogs had 62 percent popularity to Cats’ 38, which allowed them to claim the victory. In the most recent Splatfest, Roller Coasters versus Water Slides, Roller Coasters won with a popularity/wins percentage of 46/53, allowing them to claim victory by wins, and not by popularity!

In the aftermath of both of these Splatfests, users on Reddit and other online forums have been developing labels/nicknames based on the sides that gamers have chosen. The four labels have been designated as “Dogcoaster”, “Dogslider”, “Catcoaster”, and “Catslider”. While these labels are used sometimes in jest, some use these labels with a negative connotation, such as relating “Dogcoasters” as sore winners, or “Catsliders” as sore losers. “Catcoasters” feel great that wins finally eked them the win, while “Dogsliders” are slightly disappointed that being popular didn’t get them the win this time around. And some are wondering if the trend will continue–will we see terms like “Sun Dogcoaster” and “Moon Catslider” in the future?

It’s all a little confusing to say the least, but it all adds to the crazy fun of Splatoon. How do you feel about these labels—are they all in good fun, or just competitive slurs to divide the players? P.S. I am a Catslider!