Today’s Nintendo Direct was all about Splatoon 2 . The information dump spelled out several new features, returning features, update information, and finally a date for a pre-release Splatfest demo.
The Direct started with a showcase of all the various way players can customize their Splatoon 2 characters. It introduced the different characters running each shop and demonstrated how characters can purchase clothes, weapons and “gear,” which add more passive abilities for players in the middle of a match.
Many different modes of play were shown off, including Turf War, Ranked Battles, Story mode, League Battle, and the new Salmon Run. Salmon Run is a new horde-like mode that lets players team up together against waves of computer-controlled enemies. This mode has a local multiplayer component available at any time, or online availability at limited times in a similar manner to Splatfests.
Details were also provided for the first Splatfest, which actually launches before the official Splatoon 2 release date with a pre-release demo. The Splatfest with be held on July 15, from 3 to 7 PM PT. The subject of the battle will be cake versus ice cream.
Finally the SplatNet 2 service and Nintendo Switch Online app were announced. These will be out July 21, the same day as Splatoon 2 . This allows you to check your stats, see stage schedules, purchase in-game equipment with in-game cash from an additional shop, and partake in voice chat. With voice chat, it will automatically group participants into the in-game groups when a match begins.
Source: Nintendo