May 7th Nintendo Direct - Splatoon Edition: Quick Recap

Will You Participate in the Splatoon Global Testfire?

  • Of course!

    Votes: 91 86.7%
  • Maybe.

    Votes: 4 3.8%
  • Probably not.

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • I would if I could!

    Votes: 10 9.5%

  • Total voters
    105
Quite a way to start the day, huh? We got a brand new, hot out of the fryer, Nintendo Direct dedicated solely to Splatoon, which hits shelves this month! So, of course we needed some new info as the game approaches as rapidly as it has been.

For those of you who caught the Direct, we'd love to see your thoughts and discussion all across Squidboards. However, for those of you who may have missed some or all of the Direct, you've come to the right place.

This will be a quick recap of all the information spewed during the Direct, which ran for just over half an hour. For anyone (a majority of us I'm sure) who has been keeping up with Splatoon over the past several months will likely find a good portion of this information redundant. That being said, Nintendo did surprise us with some new tidbits of inky info, so make sure you get a good fill of it all.

Basics:
-Inklings can change into "Humanoid" and "Squid" forms. They can be either male or female and have modifiable skin tones and eye color.
-Their hair-like tentacles change depending on team color.
-Squids cannot cross the checkerboard border at the tops of walls.
-Humanoids and Squids move and jump at different speeds and heights.

Turf War:
-Two teams of four compete in a three-minute match to cover as much of the ground with your team's paint as possible.
-Inklings can only swim in their own paint. Opponent's paint will hinder your progress.
-Kills do not give you bonus points, but they do spread more of your paint around the kill spot.
-Points accrued from games can be used as currency and contribute to leveling up.

Battle Stages:
-Urchin Underpass, Saltspray Rig, Blackbelly Skatepark, Walleye Warehouse, and Arowana Mall seem to be the starting roster of available maps. They sport structural differences like variance in high and low points, narrow to wide combat areas, numerous central points of high ground, and a variety of close-quarters areas.

Inkopolis:
-Different shops are owned by quirky shop keepers who have different assortments of gear, weaponry, and more to purchase.
-Variety of gear available to buy increases as you level up.

Weapons:
-Three types: Main, Sub, Special.
-Three classes of Main: Shooter (Rifle), Charger (Sniper), Roller (Melee).
-The Shooter class includes weapons like the Splattershot, Aerospray MG, Jet Squelcher, and the Ink Blaster. These weapons have difference ranges and ammunition types.
-The Charger class includes weapons like the Splat Charger, E-liter 3K, and Splatterscope. These weapons have different ranges, charge times, and attachments.
-The Roller class includes weapons like the Splat Roller, and Dynamo Roller. These weapons have different sizes and utility.
-Ten different types of Subweapon: Splat Bomb, Sprinkler, Seeker, Splash Wall, Suction Bomb, Burst Bomb, Point Sensor, Ink Mine, Squid Beakon, and Disrupter. These weapons may explode and disperse paint, reveal enemy locations, hinder enemy abilities, stick to walls, and much more.
- Several different types of Special weapons, including the Inkstrike (a rocket shot launched by using the Gamepad), Echolocator (reveals multiple enemies for a limited time), Bubbler (creates a bubble shield that reflects enemy fire), and Kraken (squid form becomes larger and invincible for a limited time).

Gear Abilities:
-Certain gear can be special ordered.
-Icons on gear denote "gear abilities" that power-up your character.
-Star count for each piece of gear limits how many abilities can be used at a time. Each ability has a star cost.
-Super Sea Snails can be collected to optimize gear.

Solo Play - Octo Valley:
-Retrieve Zapfish from Octarians.
-Octarians retaliate with grunts enemies, octopi, octo-girls, boss characters, and giant marine enemies.
-Players can use special devices powered by paint to help their cause, like Ink Rails, Geysers, Sponges, and more.
-Items can be found in crates across each level.
-Power eggs are collectables found on every stage that can be used to level up your weapons.
-Sunken Scrolls are collectables found on every stage (one each) that gives back-story to the single player experience.
-Splatoon gets K-Pop duo with Squid Sisters.

Battle Dojo:
-One versus one. One player plays on the Gamepad, the other on a TV with the Pro Controller (or another input device apparently).
-Balloons are popped to score points.

Inkopolis Tower:
-Hub for online battles. Regular and Ranked are the two matchmaking choices.
-Regular Battles have Turf War matches.
-Regular Battles have shuffled teams. Friends can join other friends' games, but teams are still random.
-Players can vote between two maps for their Regular Battles. The stage combination changes every four hours.
-Ranked Battles have Splat Zone matches, which work similar to King of the Hill.
-Players are ranked based on wins and losses from A+ to C-.
-Level 10 or greater in Regular Battles must be attained to play Ranked Battles.
-When enough players reach level 10 globally in Regular Battles, Ranked Battles will be unlocked for all players.

Splatoon Free Update Events (New!):
-These free updates are planned through Summer 2015.
-More stages will be added. Some are considered "more technical."
-More weapons will be added, like the Roller-class Inkbrush, which can spread paint ridiculously fast.
-More gear on the way, as well.
-New rulesets will be introduced to Ranked Battle. These include: Tower Control and Rainmaker.
-Tower Control: Players stand on a tower moving on a rail system. Standing on the tower moves it into enemy territory. Control the tower long enough to win.
-Rainmaker: No clear details yet, but was announced with an image of a golden fish with a cannon in its mouth.

August 2015 Huge Post-Launch Update (New!):
-Additional matchmaking options will be added.
-Players will be able to search with friends for matches with pre-made teams of four.
-Players will be able to host custom games for up to 8 players. The host will be able to select stages and rules.

Squiddy Games (New!):
-Assortment of different minigames and applications, like Squid Jump. Amiibo Challenges, Squid Beatz, and Splatfests.
-Splatfests are global team ranking systems. Join the right team and play in matches to try and win Super Sea Snails.
-First Splatfest will be from June 20th (6:00 AM PT) to June 21st (6:00 AM PT).

Splatoon Global Testfire (New!):
-Special event coming to Nintendo eShop on Wii U: A free demo for Splatoon.
-Available on May 8th (8:00 PM - 9:00 PM PT) and May 9th (4:00 AM - 5:00 AM PT & 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM PT).
-The Treehouse at Nintendo of America will livestream during this event alongside developers of the game.

Gamestop Pre-Order (New!):
-Pre-order Splatoon at Gamestop to unlock Inkling apparel for your Mii fighters in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U.
 
Last edited:
TheRapture

Comments

they haven't actually said anything about off tv play but i'm assuming there is since every major first party release has had it, except for maybe nintendoland
I don't think there is. At least for online. For the Octo Battle I guess it would depend if you need to tap the screen. Guess we'll find out on the 29th!
 
Direct was great, really enjoyed it. Gutted that I won't be able to take part in the first Splatfest as I'll be nowhere near a Wii U then. Buggeration.
 
...Still highly disappointed you need a game pad to play. :/
Yah that's how I was like a month ago when it was seeming more and more that gamepad only was going to happen. It's lame but at least the Online competitive community is a go.
Do I hope my bro and I can play online at the same time, of course but idk if its going to happen sadly.
 
I would love to participate in the demo, however I am hosting a Mario Kart 8 Party on Saturday, and going to a movie the Friday night(Avengers: Age of Ultron), and the demo in the middle is so early in the morning...Ugh, anyways If I have time I'll try to participate. Maybe my Mario Kart 8 party can incorporate some Splatoon action!
 
Already had it preordered before the direct, but not my preorder is solidified. Thanks Nintendo for making your directs awesome as always!
 
Oh snap, the developers are moving towards a competitive fan base! Please tell me you'll be able to use other controllers besides the game pad in 1v1, as that sounds really dumb (I really dislike the gamepad).

Other than that, everything sounds amazing.
 
That Squid amiibo is pretty hype now....
The single player is also looking fantastic.
But Ranked matches, I'm coming for ya!
 
Not a fan of the way they only allow 2 maps every 4 hours, that will get stale fast hopefully its not in ranked play and if it is hopefully its only a short term thing. So happy they will allow private matches, means competitive can definitely become a thing and customizable rules means will be able to ensure a truly competitive ruleset is used. Also that subweapon that makes you invincible for a short time is definitely not conducive to competitive play.
 
Direct was great, really enjoyed it. Gutted that I won't be able to take part in the first Splatfest as I'll be nowhere near a Wii U then. Buggeration.
I believe the Splatfest will actually happen recently considering you need to win them in order to obtain Super Sea Snails! Orrr S3's? :P
 
I need all of your guys to be my friend to be my friend right know so I came have epic battles in this Extremely Non-COD, but SQUID of a GAME.

PLEASE and THANK YOU
 
I need all of your guys to be my friend to be my friend right know so I came have epic battles in this Extremely Non-COD, but SQUID of a GAME.

PLEASE and THANK YOU
I hope they put in a COD reference. Spin it because Cod is a type of fish...
Its a long shot but come on!
 

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