Nintendo has strongly hinted that a full mainline Splatoon 4 is in development, even as it prepares to launch the spin-off title Splatoon Raiders. In a new "Ask the Developer" interview, producer Seita Inoue explained that after three mainline games, the team wanted to create a new entry point focused on non-competitive elements, which is why Raiders was made as a standalone spin-off rather than being folded into a fourth numbered title. Crucially, Inoue confirmed that development of competitive gameplay – the series' core focus – will continue, implying a proper sequel remains on the cards.

Inoue noted the Splatoon series has been running for over 11 years across three mainline entries, with Raiders designed to showcase cooperative and single-player elements such as Salmon Run and Story Mode without diverting resources from competitive development. The franchise's commercial success underlines the stakes: Splatoon 3 sold more than 3 million units within three days of release and has since gone on to sell close to 12 million copies worldwide.