Pre-order Splatoon, Get a Free Costume for Smash Wii U
Any players who pre-order Splatoon at GameStop will receive a code for two special DLC costumes in Smash Wii U.
Players can customize their Smash Mii Fighter in the colors of Squid Boy and Squid Girl. The offer will be valid from May 8 to June 13, while supplies last. The Splatoon DLC costumes only apply to Smash Bros. on Wii U.
Nintendo announced a bunch of post launch plans for Splatoon, including two new Ranked Battle modes. The game will release globally on May 29.
Jose Otero is an Editor at IGN and host of Nintendo Voice Chat. You can follow him on Twitter.
Nintendo Kicks Off Splatoon Beta This Weekend
During a special presentation Nintendo announced the Splatoon Global Testfire, an open beta test for the upcoming Wii U action game.
Anyone interested in participating needs to download the beta from the Wii U eShop. Nintendo said it will be available for download shortly after the presentation. Splatoon’s Global Testfire will run during specifc dates and times in the US. See the schedule below.
- May 8 from 8:00 - 9:00 PM PT
- May 9 from 4:00 - 5:00 AM PT
- May 9 from Noon to 1 PM PT
Nintendo Details Splatoon’s Special Event Mode, Splatfest
Nintendo announced a post-launch event for Splatoon called Splatfest, a special mode where players will unlock rewards to customize gear.
The first Splatfest is a 24-hour multiplayer event that takes place from June 20 at 6:00 AM PT until June 21 at 6:00 AM PT. It is hosted by a pair of squid sisters named Callie and Marie. Nintendo describes the schedule for Splatfest as “irregular.”
Each Splatfest will divide players into two teams competing for prizes. Players will align themselves with one of the two teams and battle it out. The first two teams splits players between Team Cats or Team Dogs.
Splatoon Amiibo Unlock Retro-Themed Minigames
Nintendo announced today that its dedicated Splatoon amiibo series can unlock more than just special outfits and challenges.
Splatoon comes with a retro-inspired mini-game, called a Squid Jump, that players can access anytime in Inkopolis or during loading screens in matchmaking.
After unlocking all 20 amiibo challenges, players will be rewarded with one of three additional Squiddy games. These retro-inspired games look and play like early Famicom/NES software. Using amiibo, players will unlock Squid Ball, Squid Racer, and Squid Beats.
Nintendo announced a bunch of post launch plans for Splatoon, including two new Ranked Battle modes. Splatoon will release on May 29.
Splatoon: Party Matchmaking and Custom Games Coming in August
Today, Nintendo announced an August update for Splatoon’s multiplayer that adds party matchmaking and support for custom games with friends.
Party matchmaking will allow four players to party up online and find another team to battle. Meanwhile, custom games will support up to 8 players and allow them to choose any stage or ruleset they want.
Nintendo announced a bunch of post launch plans for Splatoon, including two new Ranked Battle modes. Splatoon will release on May 29. It will support a dedicated line of amiibo that unlock special costumes.
Jose Otero is an Editor at IGN and host of Nintendo Voice Chat. You can follow him on Twitter.
Nintendo Details Two New Modes Coming to Splatoon
During a special Splatoon presentation, Nintendo detailed two new multiplayer modes, called Tower Control and Rainmaker, which will release post launch.
In Tower Control, players fight to control a tower on a platform sitting at the center of a stage. The team that controls the tower has to ride it through enemy territory. The Inkling on the tower will be a constant target for opponents, so teammates need to help defend his position. The first team who rides the tower to the goal is declared the winner.
Nintendo provided no details about Rainmaker other than the name bore some significance. Nintendo did not commit to a release date for either ranked mode.
Splatoon: New Maps, Modes, and Weapons Coming Post Launch
During a special Nintendo Direct presentation, the Japanese video game maker announced that new maps, modes, and weapons would be coming to Splatoon post launch.
Nintendo hinted that a bunch of new maps would be joining the rotation. The company also revealed the Ink Brush, a new weapon that allows players to quickly run and leave a streak of color on the ground. New clothes and shoes will also be added. Nintendo did not commit to a release schedule during the announcement.
Splatoon will ship with five multiplayer maps and two multiplayer modes (Battle Dojo and Turf War) when it launches on May 29. A new mode called Splat Zones, a part of Ranked Battles, will unlock once a certain number of the playerbase reaches level 10 in multiplayer.
Nintendo Details How Splatoon Gear Abilities Work
During a Nintendo Direct presentation, Nintendo detailed how gear and special abilities work in Splatoon.
Shopkeepers sell three types of gear: hats, clothing, or shoes. Each one can equip special abilities that buff or aid the player. Some examples include Quick Respawn, Ink Saver, or Quick Super Jump Up just are a few examples.
The number of abilities a piece of gear can equip are based on its star count. In order to increase the number of gear slots, players must use it in online multiplayer battles. Each piece of gear come with primary ability, and sub abilities are assigned randomly over time. Up to four abilities can be equipped per piece of gear.
Orphan Black Renewed for Season 4
Clone Club rejoice! Orphan Black will be back next year!
BBC America announced that it has renewed Orphan Black for a fourth season. The drama starring Tatiana Maslany has been re-upped for a 10-episode order from Temple Street Productions and is slated to air in 2016.
Sarah Barnett, BBC America President and General Manager, stated, “Orphan Black is an entirely fresh and original show that stands out even in today's crowded TV landscape. Tatiana Maslany's buzzy, virtuoso performance headlines a brilliant cast and we are delighted to let our vocal and passionate fan base know that this wildly entertaining ride will continue next year."
Co-creators John Fawcett and Graeme Manson said: "We're thrilled to be moving forward with season four of the Orphan Black saga. Huge thanks to our partners Temple Street Productions, and to BBC America and Space. We're extremely excited about where our story lines are going, and look forward to riding the rollercoaster with our amazing fans #CloneClub."
This is What Awaits You in The Elder Scrolls Online on Console
Bethesda has released a new gameplay trailer showing off what PS4 and Xbox One gamers can expect in The Elder Scrolls Online: Tamriel Unlimited.
Covering a number of improvements implemented since the launch of the PC version, including the Champion System and the ability to murder, steal and burgle, along with a new Collections Window to track your mounts, pets and costumes. The game's opening chapter has also been refined in preparation for the new players set to join now the title is buy-to-play.