When I joined this forum, the last thing I expected to learn in-depth about was all the different ways seasons are defined across the globe, but here we are.
Honestly, between Splatoon 3 making it a feature and Nintendo using it in marketing, I'm surprised we don't discuss it more.
Funnily enough, Nintendo's use of seasons in marketing also directly contradicts Splatoon 3's seasons... In their marketing of Splatoon 3!
It was announced for Summer 2022, never got officially delayed and came out in early September - not Sizzle Season, but Drizzle Season. Marketing said Summer, game says Autumn! Both are correct.
Then Side Order is announced for Spring 2024, and comes out February 2022, not getting officially brought forward. In game it was still Chill Season. Marketing said Spring, game says Winter. Both are correct!
What's extremely odd is that like. For the release window, they use the LATEST definition of Summer, starting on the Solstice and ending on the Equinox. But for Side Order, they use the EARLIEST definition of Spring, starting in February and ending at the end of April! They weren't technically wrong I wouldn't say, but Splatoon 3 is a great example of how to Nintendo... Seasons don't matter that much.
Personally I would prefer them to use quarters and halves, due to differing seasonal systems and the existence of the Southern Hemisphere. Side Order was Q1, Splatoon 3 was Q3. I get Q and H are a bit... "Investor talk"-y, but Nintendo isn't a stranger to saying "the second half" or "the first half" for release windows. Nothing stops them saying "The third quarter of this year.", or, god forbid they have to say "August through October" as a release window!
I don't think it would be more confusing regardless of what form it takes because as it stands, they use whatever season suits them. When they say "Spring", we don't know what that means beyond "Probably after February 1st, and before June 22nd."