‘Splatoon’ First Major Update Gets August Release Date, Includes eSports

Nintendo’s squiddy shooter Splatoon has defied nearly all expectations, becoming one of the main reasons to buy a Wii U.

The update will be pushed out starting August 5th, so make sure to check it out then. Players will now be able to create a winning strategy and fight to be the best and most battle-tested squid squad around.

Splatoon’s big August update will raise the level cap all the way to 50, introducing a handful of new modes in the progress while making it easier for players to battle together.

“After a player creates a squad, friends can be recruited to form a team of two to four inklings”. The option to have two- or three-member squads could also drastically change the gameplay experience. The second, Private Battle, has players taking part in private, customizable matches. Two to eight friends can join in the festivities and can select their favorite map, mode, and weapons to use in the match.

The new update introduces Squad Battle and Private Battle matchmaking options.

Described as a bucket-like weapon, the Slosher weapon will allow you to hurl ink ahead of you and you can even angle it to get at players who are hiding behind walls or are above you. The other weapons, the Splatling, is Splatoon’s equivalent of a rapid-fire Gatling gun. Alongside all that, 40 all-new pieces of gear are coming to the in-game stores.

Nintendo also has plans for further updates to come too, which it says will roll out through Autumn 2015.

This is the first in a series of updates that Nintendo has planned for “Splatoon” with more weapons and maps planned for release this year, including Rainmaker Ranked Battle mode.