The original Splatoon introduced map rotations for online play. At four hour intervals, two stages would be available at a given time.

Splatoon 2 retains this for the most part, but with a significant change. Maps will now refresh every two hours instead of every four hours.

As for why the map rotation is being limited once again, Splatoon 2 producer Hisashi Nogami explained to EDGE this month:

“We feel that part of the gameplay is actually selecting which weapons would be best for that combination of two maps. In Splatoon 2, the maps rotate every two hours, so it’ll be a much faster cycle than the previous game.”

http://nintendoeverything.com/splatoon-2-reduces-map-rotation-to-two-hours/

 

Wouldn't it just be easier to allow you to change weapons in between matches, along with being able to choose from many maps, and not just from 2 per 2 hours...?? I dunno why they're continuing with this. Perhaps they feel this would be overwhelming for newcomers.

Ugh, just let us pick the maps like Mario Kart

I feel the same way.

Also, OCTOLINGS WHEN DAMMIT!?!?!?!?!

I remember making a comment long back how it would be awesome if Spla2n's story had both sides teaming up together to fight against a threatening 3rd force from destroying their way of life, or something. It'd at least give a reason to play as the Octolings as well. xD

That would have been great but Nintendo hates money so no word as far as I know of an Octoling Amiibo and playable Octoling...

Fingers crossed.

It be good news of it had voice chat!

Hmm... I don't know how I feel about this, I preferred the 4 hour map rotation, but guess it's something I'll just have to adjust to. I feel like 3 maps every 4 hours would of been a better decision though. 

2 hours might go too quickly, the 4 hours allowed time to get used to current maps selected.

As long as they don't rotate ranked modes any more. Let me play the game mode I want.

They may not have faith that enough people will be playing. The current strategy forces everyone looking to play online to join the same games, reducing waits and such.

I like to think this will be successful enough that it won't need such a trick, but I don't really mind the technique either; Splatoon is definitely one of those games you can pick up and play quickly and briefly, so a focus on streamlining the online process is helpful in that regard.