Splatoon update includes new matchmaking modes, weapon types, gear, level cap

Nintendo is most certainly sticking to their guns and supporting Splatoon with plenty of free post-launch content and updates.

This morning the company announced that their popular Wii U multiplayer shooter will receive an update with a sizable amount of new content including matchmaking modes, weapon types, gear and a level cap bump.

The update will be pushed out starting August 5th, so make sure to check it out then.

Read on for the announcement from Nintendo below.

On Aug. 5, a free software update in the Splatoon game for the Wii U console brings a large amount of new content to the game, including two new matchmaking modes, new weapon types, an increase to the game?s level cap and more than 40 pieces of new gear. Players will now be able to create a winning strategy and fight to be the best and most battle-tested squid squad around.

The new update introduces Squad Battle and Private Battle matchmaking options. In Squad Battle, players can participate in Ranked Battle rule sets with friends, rather than being teamed up with other players through a random selection. After a player creates a squad, friends can be recruited to form a team of two to four Inklings. Friends will always play together on the same team and battle against other squads at random.

In Private Battle, friends can splat it up in private, customizable matches. Two to eight friends can battle together by selecting their favorite map, mode and weapons. The number of participants ranges from 1v1 to 4v4, but teams don?t have to be even: If the host chooses, he or she can select a 1v4, 1v2, or any other combination of players.

With this robust new update also comes an increased level cap in both Regular Battle and Ranked Battle modes. After downloading the software update, players will be able to reach level 50 (raised from level 20) and rank S and S+ (both higher than A+).

While Inklings around the world are enjoying and mastering the current arsenal of weapons in Splatoon, two new weapon types will be available with the update, adding a new layer of strategy to the game. The bucket-like Slosher weapons hurl ink straight ahead at an impressive range. By adjusting the angle, these new weapons can be used to splat opponents who are up high or even on the other side of a wall. With the Gatling-style Splatling, players can charge blasts of all-powerful ink. A maximum charge unleashes the full potential of this particular weapon type. In addition to the new weapons, more than 40 pieces of gear, including everything from a leather jacket to a sushi-chef costume, are coming to the various in-game shops in Splatoon.

Despite its size and scope, this massive August update is not the end of the splat-acular free content coming to Splatoon. Following this update, more content will continually roll out through the rest of the summer and fall, including the Rainmaker Ranked Battle mode, additional maps and new weapons. More details about these additions will be revealed in the future.

For more information about Splatoon, visit http://splatoon.nintendo.com/.