Nintendo announces squid-boatload of fun for launch of Splatoon

This looks like it's going to be a blast! Nintendo is hosting free demo events of Splatoon for all Wii U owners, and people who purchase the game will receive a squid-boatload of free post-launch content. Nintendo announced these and other details during a Nintendo Direct video focused on the Splatoon game, which launches May 29 exclusively for the Wii U console. 

Splatoon represents Nintendo’s take on the action shooter genre. Characters called Inklings can transform into squids as they attempt to cover the play area with their team’s colourful ink and splat opponents. Nintendo Direct detailed many of the weapons, stages, gear, modes and other features available in the game. New announcements from the Nintendo Direct included:

Global Testfire: Wii U owners with a broadband Internet connection can now download from the Nintendo eShop a free special demo, which will enable them to participate in four-on-four Turf War battles in several one-hour demo events set at optimal times for global play. The first Testfire event is scheduled for 8-9 p.m. Pacific Time on Friday, May 8, with additional opportunities on Saturday, May 9, at both 4-5 a.m. and 12-1 p.m. During the first one-hour demo event, Nintendo will be broadcasting a live stream hosted by game experts from Nintendo’s Treehouse as they play against other Testfire participants.

Four-on-Four Online Action: Players will have to think strategically when participating in Splatoon’s Turf War mode. Two stages are refreshed every four hours, meaning players will have to carefully consider weapons and tactics for the stages on hand. Different weapons work better in different stages, so players will discover depth in the weaponry as they focus their strategies on different two-stage pairings. After each four-on-four match, players are randomly reshuffled to form new teams, so sometimes players will be working with their friends and other times they’ll be looking to take them down.

Free Post-Launch Content: Five Turf War stages will be available at launch, but Nintendo will continue to add free new stages throughout summer 2015. Additionally, Nintendo plans to continually expand the game with new weapons, battle modes and gear. A major game update event in August will add two additional matchmaking options, including the ability for friends to form four-person teams and search for other four-person teams to battle against. The second option lets eight friends join up to battle in four-on-four matches on any stage and with any rules they want. The August update will also deliver a new battle mode and additional gear for characters to wear.