Splatoon 3: Who or What is O.R.C.A.?

gamerant.com:

Splatoon 3's push into a deeper narrative has brought with it waves of speculation as players try to decipher all the new lore introduced in Return of the Mammalians story mode, thanks in part to the enigmatic O.R.C.A. For a game that initially started life as zany, high-octane multiplayer, Splatoon 3 marks a subtle shift in tone as it quietly lays out a mystery that, until now, players hadn't even considered. While there were early hints that something bigger was lurking under the series' surface, such as the Eiffel Tower appearing in Splatoon 3's trailer, the new story mode makes it clear that there's more to Splatoon than previously thought.

Splatoon 3's story mode involves the antagonist Mr. Grizz, a bear that had miraculously survived the extinction of all other mammals on the planet, which fans of Splatoon now know to be Earth. But as the player progresses, they are introduced to an artificial intelligence named O.R.C.A.who provides help and instructions to the player wherever possible. It's revealed throughout the story mode that O.R.C.A. has ties to humanity, raising many questions about its original purpose, why is it still around, and what its existence means for the future of the Splatoon series.

The Splatoon Series Can do More With its Broadcast Format

At face value, O.R.C.A.serves as a player guide by explaining level objectives, providing details about available weapons, detailing entry costs or rewards, and ensuring special objectives are completed where applicable. To some degree, O.R.C.A. is just another of Nintendo's interpretations of how best to guide the player without being too overt, similar to how The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword had Fi. In fact, the use of companions as player guides is seen