Splatoon Research Lab

EUREKA! We have discovered the existence of Splatoon 2, a brand-new Splatoon game for Nintendo Switch! This may very well be the most important discovery in the history of squid science! Incidentally, Splatoon 2 was also announced at the ongoing Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 in Japan, BUT WE DISCOVERED IT FIRST! Anyway, we’ll once again be firing up the ol’ research machine here at the Squid Research Lab, so watch this space for in-depth reporting of our Splatoon 2 research findings!

Hey, squid lovers. We here at the Squid Research Lab have unearthed new video footage of new Inkling specimens. They seem to be related to the Inkling species we’ve observed before, but they appear to have new abilities and visual styles, as seen at the Nintendo Switch Presentation 2017 in Japan. We’ll continue to bring you our findings on this new phenomenon, but for now please watch this video.

The Squid Research Lab can confirm that Inkopolis Plaza is no longer the central hub of Inkling culture. Apparently a new location within Inkopolis known as “Inkopolis Square” is now the most popular area for young Inklings. Many new businesses have opened shop in Inkopolis Square, and it is only two subway stations away from Inkopolis Plaza. We at the Squid Research Lab were surprised to learn that the center of Inkling culture has changed locations in such a short amount of time, but perhaps there is something to be learned about the Inkling way of life in all this. Or maybe we’re just thinking about it too hard.

A Squid Research Lab special report:
As we suspected, Turf War is still the most popular sport among Inklings. The basic rules of this sport remain the same–two teams of four Inklings compete to cover the largest area of ground with their ink color within the allotted time. Inklings still eat, sleep, and breathe Turf War, and the sport still drives the direction of fashion, art, and language for Inkling culture.

We have found photographic evidence of one of the new battle stages in Splatoon 2. Inklings call this new area “The Reef”, presumably because it’s a popular area to hang out when it’s not being used for Turf War. The Reef is located a few blocks from Inkopolis Square, and it’s home to some of the most popular boutique shops in the city.

Our research indicates that the mid-battle stage map has changed a bit. Apparently Inklings can press the X Button to view the map at any time during a battle. Once the map is open, they can then press the directional buttons and the A Button to Super Jump to a teammate. Each teammate is assigned to a different directional button, as is the spawn point. The map also features a cursor that can be moved by tilting the controller.

While an Inkling is on the ground, swinging a roller weapon will still result in a standard horizontal swing. Please see the attached footage for a comparison of roller swing techniques.

This is the Splat Charger in Splatoon 2. Its design has changed a bit from the original game, as have the designs of the Splat Roller and the Splattershot. These classic weapons are still among the most popular with Inklings.

Charger weapons have gained a new ability since our original analysis of them. Inklings can now store their charge for a short time by entering squid form. Then, when they return to Inkling form, they can instantly unleash a charged shot. Very impressive.

The tried-and-true Splattershot hasn’t changed drastically, so veteran Inklings will feel right at home with this weapon. We can also report that all previously existing weapon types, including Splatling and Slosher weapons, will appear in Splatoon 2. Stay tuned for further developments.

Interestingly enough, all of the special weapons that appear in Splatoon 2 are brand new. We’ve been able to secure an image of one of the new special weapons, but we’re unsure of its name. To use it, an Inkling targets as many opponents as he or she can before firing. Once the weapon is fired, four homing missiles are launched at each targeted opponent.

This special weapon is called the Sting Ray. It fires a ray of pressurized ink that can shoot through walls and travel long distances, splatting any enemy players it touches Once activated, it’s very difficult to change the direction of the ray.

This special weapon is the Inkjet. It allows its user to hover in the air, and features a blob launcher that can be used to shoot ink blobs at enemies below. It seems to be a very powerful weapon, but it also leaves its user rather exposed. Once this special weapon runs out, the Inkjet explodes, sending its user to the exact point they activated the special from.

This special weapon is called Splashdown. An Inkling who activates it will jump into into the air and then strike the ground, sending an explosion of ink onto nearby players and surfaces. This special weapon can also be activated mid-Super Jump, creating an explosion of ink upon landing. This technique may be very useful when coming to the aid of a teammate who is under attack.

I nearly overlooked it, but I’ve noticed the existence or a new type of subweapon. This new subweapon is called the Curling Bomb. I was shocked to learn that the Inklings are familiar with the sport of curling, which may be the greatest discovery of all. Once deployed, the Curling Bomb slides across the ground, bouncing off walls.
We haven’t discovered any other new subweapons, but we’ll keep our eyes open.

We’ve received a report that Splatoon 2 will be compatible with an upcoming app for smart devices that enhances online play. This app will link with the game and allow you to set a play appointment with your friends and teammates invited through your social media accounts. It also lets you match up with them directly in the game and voice chat with them too.
For example, during a Private Battle, you can voice chat with all of the connected friends when you divide into teams, but once teams are set, voice chat is switched to communication only between teammates in the same team. Also, you cannot communicate with random Inklings you don’t know.

We’ve just received an image of a small cat-like creature on top of a larger cat-like creature known only as…Judd. Could this young cat be Judd’s offspring?! Or perhaps his younger sibling? Or even something more…sinister? MUAHAHA! Nope. Sorry. There’s no evidence to support that. I just got carried away. Anyway, according to our information from two years back, Judd was supposedly the squid world’s only mammal. Just what happened in the intervening time? We’ll spare no effort to solve this mystery!

We’ve acquired images of some returning legacy weapons we weren’t able to show at our recent research presentation, so we’ve decided to reveal them here! This is a Splatling-type weapon called the Heavy Splatling. The angle of the signature ink barrels has been adjusted to make for easier maintenance, but aside from that it functions just as the original model did.

In the Slosher category, the crowd-favorite Slosher is also making a return in Splatoon 2. The keen-eyed observer may notice that slight cosmetic adjustments have been made to the Slosher’s handle and suspension arm. These changes are in line with the cosmetic changes that other legacy weapons have recieved. It may seem a trivial change to some, but we at the Squid Research Lab feel that even the smallest changes must be documented in order to keep up with the ever-changing trends of the Inkling world.

We’ve gotten a first look inside one of the new stages–Musselforge Fitness. This state of the art work out facility contains a bouldering gym, a regulation-sized pool, and all the treadmills you could ever want. Judging from our research, today’s Inklings are foregoing the calisthenics and aerobics for more back-to-basics, iron-puming workouts.

Eureka! We’ve just discovered a breakthrough in squid-observation technology! In Splatoon 2, a new feature called Private Battle Spectator View will allow up to two non-players to spectate a Private Battle. These two people act as camera operators in order capture all the action. This is, of course, in addition to the 8 players who fight in the Private Battle. Outstanding!

Previously, we’ve reported that Splatoon 2 will allow up to eight Nintendo Switch systems to connect via local wireless to play Private Battles. In addition to this, a new feature called LAN Play will enable players to connect eight docked systems using a wired LAN setup. This feature allows players to create local Private Battle tournaments without the need for an Internet connection.

If you’re willing to put in the work to set up LAN Play, you can also use the Private Battle Spectator View feature by hooking up two additional Nintendo Switch systems. Local wireless play is perfect for your regular gaming get-togethers, but LAN Play is where it’s at when you want to organize a serious tournament event with your fellow players.

BREAKING NEWS! A Squid Research Lab special report:

Nintendo Switch owners will soon be able to participate in a special Splatoon 2 preview. A special demo version of Splatoon 2 will be available for download on Nintendo Switch and will allow players to battle against opponents around the world in the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire event. It’s a way for everyone to investigate the latest in cephalopod warfare months before the game launches!

The Splatoon 2 Global Testfire will give Nintendo Switch owners six chances to play with other owners worldwide during the three-day event. The timing of the event is as follows:

March 24
12-12:59 p.m. PT
8-8:59 p.m. PT

March 25
4-4:59 a.m. PT
12-12:59 p.m. PT
8-8:59 p.m. PT

March 26
4-4:59 a.m. PT

Who’s playing those 4 a.m. Pacific Time time slots, anyway? They’re preferable to players overseas, or perhaps North American early birds (or night owls?)

All indications are that the content for the Global Testfire will allow players to test four different main weapons, including the new Splat Dualies, as well as remixed versions of the iconic Splat Roller and Splat Charger. Extraordinary!

We look forward to sharing additional findings soon, such as when the demo will be available for download in Nintendo eShop.

Happy Valentine’s Day! One of our squid researchers at our HQ in Japan made these amazing traditional Japanese confections called wagashi.

They look positively scrumptious, but I’d feel bad subjecting something so cute to my gastric acid. AAAAAAAAAAAH!

That’s called a 360 Big Spin. And this is a backside manual into a kickflip. Skateboard tricks are incredible, but they don’t always turn out the way you’d like. That’s part of their magic. Unlike the battle-busy Inklings, the jellyfish kids are as chill and relaxed as ever.

We’re happy to report that the upcoming Global Testfire will include two stages to battle on: The Reef & Musselforge Fitness.

These stages will be randomly chosen throughout the event.

The rock band Wet Floor are the latest sensation in the Inkling world. Their songs are an enticing blend of different genres, and they’re especially popular with the kids right now. Let’s check out their song “Rip Entry,” which you’ll hear as background music while battling!

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR1eQa4oDFI

Let’s meet the members of Wet Floor.

This guy plays synthesizer and is the group’s founder. He’s out to restore some indie dignity to Inkopolis’s music scene that’s lately been taken over by giant pop stars. When it comes to songwriting, he lets others take the initiative. He prefers tinkering with sounds to performing, and the studio is a much more comfortable place for him than the stage.

Wet Floor also has two members that play guitar and provide vocals. The guy on the left is a fan of vintage rock sounds. You can hear it in the sharp, jangly rhythms of his riffs. The girl on the right is a faithful follower of the church of punk rock, and she carves out riffs with a more hunky, bass-heavy sound. These two don’t always see eye-to-eye, but when they’re in the groove, their two distinct sounds meld into a medley of magical music.

Now let’s introduce Wet Floor’s rhythm section.

These two bring a fast-paced technical beat to the group’s sound that’s every bit as crucial as the members who play up front. The guy on bass has a trademark string-slapping style, while the drummer uses her multiple limbs to keep a driving, super-stable backbeat. The friendly rivalry these two share makes the band sizzle with thrilling rhythm.

We just received stunning weapon footage from our fellow field researchers in Japan that illustrate the basics of weapons available in the upcoming Global Testfire. Check them out above before you splat the competition.

We’re also excited to present this special weapon footage; apparently all specials in Splatoon 2 are brand-new. Who knew that the Splashdown can be activated mid-Super Jump!? Check out more in these videos.

When the Testfire begins today, you may be tempted to immediately hop into battle. However, we recommend you take a moment first to adjust the camera setting options to your preference. The included image displays items you can adjust.

We here at Squid Research Lab deeply appreciate that so many people participated in the Testfire last weekend. Thanks to such a fine group of test subjects, our research is making great progress. We can confirm that Splatoon 2 will include many different features than seen in the Testfire, and we look forward to reporting on these continuous findings leading up to the game’s launch this summer.

Let’s take a moment to look at Gear and its role in the Inkling world. Gear is divided into three types, headgear, clothing, and footwear. From our observations, the gear sold at shops in Inkopolis Square keeps pace with the ever-changing world of squid fashion.

Each piece of gear comes with “gear abilities” that provide a variety of benefits during battle. Using a piece of gear repeatedly will increase the number of abilities it has. Our research has also revealed that gear abilities have changed along with fashion over the last two years, with a number of new abilities joining some time-tested favorites.

We’ve managed to learn the name of the young boy with the sea-urchin like head. Everyone, meet “Murch”. Apparently, he looks up to Spyke as a role model, and works in the same industry (if not the same organization) as Spyke.

Murch is good with his hands, and he uses those nimble digits to perform a special service he calls “gear scrubbing”. This will reset the additional abilities on a piece of gear, returning it to its original state. From what we can tell, gear abilities you’ve removed from gear will be returned to you as “ability chunks”.

Once you collect enough ability chunks you’ll be able to use them to fill an empty gear slot with a new ability. Theoretically, this means that repeating Murch’s gear scrubbing many times would allow you to mix and match additional gear abilities as you see fit! That would be incredible! It could be that this young man is even more talented than Spyke himself!

Introducing Humpback Pump Track. This new stage is an indoor BMX track, but Inklings use it as a stage for Turf War. It features many curvy ups and downs, and the bike track surrounds a small hill in the middle. You’d think the openness makes for great visibility, but the hump abundance creates a surprising amount of blind spots. Inklings can employ multiple strategies, including frontal breakthroughs or attacking from the side.

Oh… and we just realized that jellyfish can ride bikes? What!?

This is Starfish Mainstage. It’s an outdoor music venue that hosts concerts for all types of music acts. The now legendary “Squid Squad” played here once, and its considered a bit of a holy site for devotees of rock music. It’s a wonder that all the ink spray doesn’t cause the equipment to short circuit, but I guess they’ve got it figured out.

It looks as though trends in the world of fashion have changed a bit in the last two years. New color palettes and materials have gained traction, and a more casual look is on the rise. Take these suede leather sneakers, for example. They somehow manage to be both casual and classy, and they go great with almost any outfit choice.

It looks like spawn points have seen a bit of an upgrade over the last two years. This new version seems to be a snazzy foreign-made model, but it looks to function just like the older domestic models. It would seem not even the Inkling world is immune to being buffeted by the winds of globalization.

The indispensable ink tank also seems to have been reworked. New materials and an improved form factor have made the tank lighter and more durable. These Inklings sure have stepped up their tech in the last two years!

Breaking news! We’ve confirmed the identity of the furry creature seen previously in both video footage and the recent Testfire event! Ready for it? Everyone, meet Li’l Judd!

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit he’s adorable, but from what we’ve been able to observe, he’s gunning for Judd’s spot as premier Turf War judge like a bloodthirsty tiger crouching in the jungle underbrush. The details of his origins are still shrouded in mystery, but rest assured our research on this fuzzy subject will continue.