Splatoon Software Update: August 6th 2015

A software update is now available that makes several adjustments to enhance the overall experience. Please start the game while your Wii U console is connected to the internet to update the software. The software version after this update will be 2.0.0.

Update contents

Squad Battles

• In Squad Battles you can form a team with friends and take part in Ranked Battles against other teams

  • As with standard Ranked Battles, you can only play this mode after reaching level 10

  • By joining a friend's game, you can also play with friends of friends

  • You can set a password if you only want to play with specific friends

  • In Squad Battle, you'll only ever play against opponents also playing Squad Battle; users in standard Ranked Battles won't play against those in Squad Battles

• You can form teams of four, three, or two players

  • A team of three can compete against a team of four. In these cases, the three-player team will respawn more quickly

  • Two-player teams will be matched with three other two-player teams, so matches will be made up of two two-player teams pitted against each other

Private Battles

• In Private Battles you can play with just friends, selecting your own rules, maps and teams

  • By joining a friend's game, you can also play with friends of friends

  • You can set a password if you only want to play with specific friends

Changes to player levels

• The maximum attainable level has increased from 20 to 50

Changes to ranks

• The maximum attainable rank has increased from A+ to S+

  • It's only possible to reach ranks S and S+ by playing in Ranked Battle: they cannot be reached by playing in Squad Battle

  • If you reach rank S or S+, playing in Squad Battle will not affect your ranking

• Adjusts how many points are awarded following matches

• If your rank changes, you will be returned to the lobby

New gear

• New gear has been added and will appear in the shops randomly

New music

• New music has been added to the rotation

Changes to Splatfests

• The weighting for wins has increased from x2 to x4

Changes to maps

• Urchin Underpass: Significant layout adjustments in all modes

• Saltspray Rig: Layout adjustments in Tower Control

• Arowana Mall: Layout adjustments in all modes

• Kelp Dome: Layout adjustments in Tower Control and Splat Zones

• Moray Towers: Layout adjustments in Tower Control and Splat Zones

Changes to special weapons

• Inkzooka: The points required to fill the special gauge have increased from 180p to 220p

• Echolocator: The points required to fill the special gauge have increased from 180p to 200p

• Killer Wail: The points required to fill the special gauge have decreased from 180p to 160p

Note: The above values are based on players not using the Special Charge Up gear ability.

Changes to gear abilities

• Tenacity: Previously, where the number of members on each team was uneven at the start of a match, the special gauge would start charging before movement was possible, but now charging starts once you can control your character

• Special Charge Up: Previously, when stacking this ability, there were minor differences to the special gauge charge rate depending on whether you inked the same area gradually or all at once. This has now been changed, so the contribution is based only on the area inked, regardless of speed

Changes to sound effects

• It is now easier to hear the sound warning you of an Inkzooka attack to your left, right, or behind you

• It is now easier to hear the sound when certain long-range weapons hit, even from far away

Other changes

• Introduces several enhancements to improve the user’s experience and enjoyment

Additional information

This update is required in order to play online.

Downloading updates will not affect any of your saved data.