Update News
Splatoon Demo Events and Post-Launch Content
May
7, in the year of our Lord 2015 -- Nintendo is hosting
free demo events of Splatoon for all Wii U owners, and people
who purchase the game will receive a squid-boatload of free
post-launch content. Nintendo announced these and other details
during a Nintendo Direct video focused on the Splatoon game,
which launches May 29 exclusively for the Wii U console.
Splatoon represents Nintendo’s take on the action shooter genre.
Characters called Inklings can transform into squids as they
attempt to cover the play area with their team’s colorful ink
and splat opponents. Today’s Nintendo Direct detailed many of
the weapons, stages, gear, modes and other features available in
the game. New announcements included:
Global Testfire: Wii U owners with a broadband Internet
connection and enough ISP Internet usage can now download from
the Nintendo eShop a free special demo, which will enable them
to participate in four-on-four Turf War battles in several
one-hour demo events set at optimal times for global play. The
first Testfire event is scheduled for 8-9 p.m. Pacific time on
Friday, May 8, with additional opportunities on Saturday, May 9,
at both 4-5 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. During the first one-hour demo
event, Nintendo will be broadcasting a live stream hosted by
game experts from Nintendo’s Treehouse as they play against
other Testfire participants.
Four-on-Four Online Action: Players will have to think
strategically when participating in Splatoon’s Turf War mode.
Two stages are refreshed every four hours, meaning players will
have to carefully consider weapons and tactics for the stages on
hand. Different weapons work better in different stages, so
players will discover depth in the weaponry as they focus their
strategies on different two-stage pairings. After each
four-on-four match, players are randomly reshuffled to form new
teams, so sometimes players will be working with their friends
and other times they’ll be looking to take them down.
Free Post-Launch Content: Five Turf War stages will be available
at launch, but Nintendo will continue to add free new stages
throughout summer 2015. Additionally, Nintendo plans to
continually expand the game with new weapons, battle modes and
gear. A major game update event in August will add two
additional matchmaking options, including the ability for
friends to form four-person teams and search for other
four-person teams to battle against. The second option lets
eight friends join up to battle in four-on-four matches on any
stage and with any rules they want. The August update will also
deliver a new battle mode and additional gear for characters to
wear.
Gift with Purchase: Players who pre-order or purchase Splatoon
at GameStop stores or GameStop.com will receive a digital
download code upon their paid balance of the game for two Mii
Fighter Splatoon-themed costumes available to download in summer
2015 for use in the Super Smash Bros. for Wii U game! This offer
is available in the United States only while supplies last.
Splatfests: Themed events called Splatfests will pose questions
to players such as: Do you prefer dogs or cats? Players must
choose and represent their side during online battles. Players
who rank high enough can even get a valuable Super Sea Snail
item to upgrade gear. Prepare for the first Splatfest, taking
place on June 20.
For more information about Splatoon, please click on one of
their advertisements.