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.
Arkham Knight Voice Cast Revealed in New Trailer
Warner Bros. has revealed the voice cast for Batman: Arkham Knight.
The company has confirmed a number of fan-favourites that are set to return, including Kevin Conroy as Batman, Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, Troy Baker as Two-Face and Nolan North as Penguin.
Newcomers who are set to appear include Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) as James Gordon, Ashley Greene (The Twilight Saga) as Barbara Gordon, John Noble (Sleepy Hollow, Fringe) as Scarecrow and Scott Porter (Friday Night Lights, Hart of Dixie) as Nightwing.
Earlier today, developer Rocksteady Studios confirmed the identity of Batgirl, who's playable thanks to some DLC. WB revealed the Batman: Arkham Knight Season Pass and its pricing last week. On its own, the Season Pass will run £32.99 / $39.99, or it will be available in the Premium Edition of the game for £87.98 / $99 on PS4 and Xbox One. The Season Pass will provide six months worth of DLC content.
Google Could Have a Crazy Wearable on the Way
Google's Advanced Technologies and Products department will be showing some kind of wearable at Google I/O.
According to the schedule, the team is aiming to "break the tension between the ever-shrinking screen sizes necessary to make electronics wearable and our ability to have rich interactions with them."
This is the same team that brought you Project Ara, the phone which allows you to swap components in and out, and Project Tango, Android's 3D mapping phone.
This iPhone Case Harvests Energy From the Air
Nikola Labs has created an iPhone case which converts wasted energy into more battery life.
It works by harvesting RF energy from signals like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and LTE, which it then converts back into a DC current using a special circuit.
The case, which will be launching soon on Kickstarter for $99, can power the phone for 30 percent longer.
The technology could also be put to use in other devices which don't need much electricity to function. IKEA recently announced its range of wireless charging furniture, which you can check out here on IGN.