Datamine flags 'SquidKid' assets in Fortnite files, prompting Splatoon crossover discussion
A wave of datamines has drawn attention to a potential tie between Fortnite and Nintendo's Splatoon series after several prominent leakers reported finding assets labeled "SquidKid" inside Fortnite game files.
The findings were shared on Twitter by known dataminers @HYPEX, @s1I0x, and @Lucas7yoshi, who each reported the discovery of a skin file and a corresponding backbling entry referencing the SquidKid name.
Fortnite, Epic Games’ free-to-play battle royale and live-service platform launched in 2017, has a long history of collaborations with external IPs, while Splatoon is Nintendo’s ink-based shooter series developed by Nintendo EPD and principally released on the Nintendo Switch.
Splatoon 2 debuted in 2017 and Splatoon 3 arrived in 2022, both as Switch-exclusive titles.
What the dataminers reported (rewritten)
According to posts from the dataminers, files uncovered in Fortnite’s data include an outfit and a back accessory using the identifier "SquidKid".
The leakers noted that the label appears to reference the squid-based characters central to Nintendo’s Splatoon universe.
Those reporting the find characterized the discovery as a potential sign of a cross-franchise cosmetic, but stopped short of confirming any official collaboration.
Why this matters
Datamined assets frequently surface ahead of official announcements and are used by the community to anticipate new cosmetics or events.
However, datamines are not confirmations: files can be placeholders, unused assets, or remnants from internal tests.
Fortnite has previously partnered with major franchises for skins and in-game events, and remains available on Nintendo Switch as one of its many platforms.
What’s verified
- The datamine reports were posted publicly by Twitter accounts @HYPEX, @s1I0x, and @Lucas7yoshi.
- Fortnite is developed and maintained by Epic Games and has been active since 2017 as a cross-platform live-service title.
- Splatoon is Nintendo’s IP developed by Nintendo EPD, with Splatoon 2 released in 2017 and Splatoon 3 released in 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
Until Epic Games or Nintendo provide official word, the discovery remains an intriguing datamine.
For Switch owners and fans of both series, any official announcement would likely be promoted through typical channels such as a Nintendo Direct, Epic communications, or the in-game Fortnite news feed.
A wave of datamines has drawn attention to a potential tie between Fortnite and Nintendo's Splatoon series after several prominent leakers reported finding assets labeled "SquidKid" inside Fortnite game files.
The findings were shared on Twitter by known dataminers @HYPEX, @s1I0x, and @Lucas7yoshi, who each reported the discovery of a skin file and a corresponding backbling entry referencing the SquidKid name.
Fortnite, Epic Games’ free-to-play battle royale and live-service platform launched in 2017, has a long history of collaborations with external IPs, while Splatoon is Nintendo’s ink-based shooter series developed by Nintendo EPD and principally released on the Nintendo Switch.
Splatoon 2 debuted in 2017 and Splatoon 3 arrived in 2022, both as Switch-exclusive titles.
What the dataminers reported (rewritten)
According to posts from the dataminers, files uncovered in Fortnite’s data include an outfit and a back accessory using the identifier "SquidKid".
The leakers noted that the label appears to reference the squid-based characters central to Nintendo’s Splatoon universe.
Those reporting the find characterized the discovery as a potential sign of a cross-franchise cosmetic, but stopped short of confirming any official collaboration.
Why this matters
Datamined assets frequently surface ahead of official announcements and are used by the community to anticipate new cosmetics or events.
However, datamines are not confirmations: files can be placeholders, unused assets, or remnants from internal tests.
Fortnite has previously partnered with major franchises for skins and in-game events, and remains available on Nintendo Switch as one of its many platforms.
What’s verified
- The datamine reports were posted publicly by Twitter accounts @HYPEX, @s1I0x, and @Lucas7yoshi.
- Fortnite is developed and maintained by Epic Games and has been active since 2017 as a cross-platform live-service title.
- Splatoon is Nintendo’s IP developed by Nintendo EPD, with Splatoon 2 released in 2017 and Splatoon 3 released in 2022 on Nintendo Switch.
Until Epic Games or Nintendo provide official word, the discovery remains an intriguing datamine.
For Switch owners and fans of both series, any official announcement would likely be promoted through typical channels such as a Nintendo Direct, Epic communications, or the in-game Fortnite news feed.
