I haven't watched the Direct video yet, but do you need to be at level 10 or higher to play Ranked matches?

@canonj
From what I understand, yes.

@r_hjort

That's what I thought as well. Looks like I have some work ahead of me...

The new stage will be released at 10PM ET? Dang... I guess I'm staying up late to try it tonight.

Can't wait.

Surprised new content is coming so soon. I know I'm far from bored with what we've already got... not that I'm complaining!

The game is taking a lot of shit for the "lack of content," but I'm actually really into the way that they are slowly releasing more of it. Keeps us coming back, and I know I will end up logging more hours into the game this way.

@Hinph

Yeah I feel the same way. I wonder if the success of the game would push them to give us more content... hopefully for free

@Hinph
Definitely. If they keep a steady drip of new levels, gear, and modes, this game could have some serious legs.

@Hinph

People criticize the fact only a few maps are in rotation at a time. I feel they will expand this to at least three once enough levels exist, but also, I like it because I really get to hone and practice stretegies with people since we play the same stages. If I was changing stages every time and all were available, I would lose that feeling and ability to work. I like how it is now.

Keeping it to 2 stages once we are at 7 or more though would be bad news. I expect us to move to three soon. Maybe 4 down the line but even then I don't really feel I'd need it.

@DrFinkelstein

Yeah, I honestly haven't gotten sick of any of the levels even when I'm playing them 8 times in a row. I just can't stop squirting all over them.

Hinph said:

@DrFinkelstein

Yeah, I honestly haven't gotten sick of any of the levels even when I'm playing them 8 times in a row. I just can't stop squirting all over them.

HEYYYY YOOOOOOO!

@DrFinkelstein
I love it when "breaking news" pops up and the maps change over, reminds me a little bit of F-Zero GX, although no game will ever top the news reports in GX in terms of sheer hilarity and absurdity, it's not possible.

Hinph said:

@DrFinkelstein
I just can't stop squirting all over them.

Ew.

Sorry for disappearing, Conzo and Mustache. Got some connection error and was booted. Don't think it's on my end, but can't be sure.

Yeah. The next game in the series should be called "Splatoon: Mark Your Territory".

So I want to ask some basic questions and get your thoughts. I'll number them for convenience sake.

1) How do you get the Aerospray RG? Is that a "complete single player mode" reward. And if it is... that kinda pisses me off, because I want to try that weapon but I didn't buy Splatoon because I wanted to ass around for several hours in a single player mode.

2) The final "p" award at the end. I've assumed for awhile that that's the amount of space on the field at the end of the game that was painted by you. Is that right? And, if so, then does that explain why my p numbers seem crushingly low sometimes - because the paint I'm laying down in the middle of the field is being painted over? Or am I just not being effective at laying paint? Perhaps because of my heightened ability to get killed, primarily by Hjort?

3) So did you guys really adapt to these cockamamie motion controls? Or did you turn them off? I turned them off right away - I'm an enormous fan of IR controls, but these gyro things seem really, uh, esoteric to me. The last few rounds I tried using them though and it's sort of a bucking bronco of a control scheme. Worth learning? Are you guys getting better response from them?

4) How do you hold your fingers and get reasonably quick access to the right shoulder button and jump buttons? From the first time I held a Wii U pad, I was concerned that the Z buttons were annoyingly far from each other and required too much movement. It suggests that the idea is to hold the "fire" button with your middle finger and just keep holding it down. That's the first time in my life I think I've ever tried to play a video game with my middle finger (apart from Superman 64, where the middle finger was more of a flourish than a control thing). Is that how you guys are doing it? Or do you switch to your secondary with your index finger? I ask because I barely ever use my secondary simply because, believe it or not, taking my finger off of the primary seems to take too much time in the heat of battle. Just call me Ol' Slow Finger.

5) Will Splatoon break up Hjort and my friendship?

@kriswright

In order...

1) It's a single-player thing but not a beat-the-game thing. You have to beat the third boss, from what I hear. A lot of people like that weapon.

2) The P at the end is the TOTAL amount of paint that you painted, regardless of if it was painted over or not. The P during battle seems to be the CURRENT amount of your paint that's still on the field (i.e. not covered up). At least, I think so...

3) I like the motion controls, mostly because I don't like dual analogue much and using gyro eliminates some of the pressure from using both sticks like a pro. Which I can't.

4) I just switch from ZR to R, although this might be why I sometimes forget about secondary items in the heat of battle. I like that used your middle finger for Superman.

5) Yes.

@kriswright
1. You can unlock the Aerospray MG (which I think is pretty much the same thing, but with a different load-out) by playing single player, yes. I think I got that after beating the third boss, so that's unfortunately bad news for you. The good news is that the levels leading up to it are awesome, and not very time consuming. I think you'll enjoy them! Not sure when I actually unlocked the Aerospray RG. I think it was at the same time, but that there was a higher level requirement to wield it or something.

2.I still have no idea how that works. Also: Sorry if I've been killing you in a disproportionate amount. It's not intentional. Well, the killing is, but I'm not going after anyone or anything.

3. I couldn't play the game without the motion controls at this point. It helps my aiming enormously. I can use small subtle movement to lean the crosshair a little bit closer to where I want it to be, and I can wave around more when I need to cover more surface area. It's great!

4. I hold my index finger on the triggers and slip it up towards R when I need to place a mine or throw a grenade. Maybe that's not the best way of doing things, but I think holding the controller feels more comfortable that way.

5. As far as I'm concerned we're already mortal enemies. You keep painting over my ink! This aggression will not stand, man!

@kriswright

1) Grrr, looks like I have to dip into the single player too. But I have such limited time with the TV... how can I NOT play multi?

3) I think the controls are worth a-learning. Especially for the vertical aspect, splatting up the wall is so quick and there is a neat level of refinement in a splatfight. But then I haven't tried without motion control so what the heck do I know.

4) Same as @r_hjort

5) f@#king hjort.

kriswright said:

So I want to ask some basic questions and get your thoughts. I'll number them for convenience sake.

1) You didn't buy it for the single player bit you should play it. It's fun man! Quit being a hater!

2) TriforceBun is correct. It's total paint splatted. If it's low then likely you focused more on combat maybe and less on coverage.

3) I've been using the motion controll since the first testfire. I feel they're very efficient and natural. To me, they enhance the experience and I'm never turning them off.

4) Hey Ol' Slow Finger. ;) I just switch and use the same finger. Hasn't been an issue. Never felt I failed or died because of it.

5) Time will tell...

Kotaku article about Splatoon's Miiverse, specifically about the fascination with Spongebob themed posts. Didn't read, but there were lots of fun pictures!

@Super_Conzo
Aw c'mon...!

I joined in for a couple of games earlier, as Alistair, and I sucked with the loadout I was using. Well, other than the quadrasplat I had with 15 seconds left on the rig. I was using the grenade launcher type gun.

@r_hjort
I kid coz I love.
Seriously though, I'm having a good time, I'm making good ground then SPLAT! and I know it's your name about to appear for those agonising seconds before respawn. We'll get you yet. Long runs the hjort. Lol.