2017 Splatoon 2 World Inkling Invitational

The 2017 Splatoon 2 World Inkling Invitational was a Splatoon 2 tournament that took place at E3 2017, over five weeks before the official release of the game.

Qualifiers
One team was chosen to represent each of the four regions at the Invitational through its own regional Splatoon tournament: Japan, United States, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand.

Japan
Dynameu won the Splatoon Koshien 2017 tournament out of over 700 teams and represented Japan in the Invitational. Named after what was considered the best player in Japan – Dynamon, previously a player on a rival team – Dynameu recruited him prior to the Invitational.

United States
Deadbeat won the Splatoon U.S. Inkling Open 2017 after defeating SpeedRunsLive in the quarter-final, three games to none in Splat Zones; Lost Faction in the semifinal, three games to none in Tower Control; and Deep Blues in the grand finals, three games to none in Rainmaker,, finishing the tournament with a record of sixteen wins to one loss (in Turf War). Its members proceeded to represent the United States in the World Championship.

Europe
Rising Moon represented France in the ESL Go4Splatoon Europe Grand Final to earn the right to represent Europe in the World Championship.

Australia/New Zealand
Blue Ringed Octolings won the 2017 Australia/New Zealand Splatoon Cup over $¢arthAce and represented Australia and New Zealand in the Invitational.

Round Robin
Matches were a series of round robin Turf War battles to determine seeding. There were only six stages used throughout the Invitational: The Reef, Musselforge Fitness, Starfish Mainstage, Humpback Pump Track, Inkblot Art Academy, and Moray Towers. Only certain weapons and Abilities were available for the Splatoon 2 build used throughout the Invitational.

(Note: winning teams are in bold.)

Semifinals
The semifinals were a best of five, single-elimination round on mostly Ranked Battle modes.

Both pairs of teams played the same series of modes on different stages. In the first semifinal, the Number 1 Seed was matched up against the Number 4 Seed. The Number 2 Seed faced the Number 3 seed in the second semifinal.

Semifinal 1

 * Game 1: Tower Control on Moray Towers
 * Game 2: Splat Zones on Inkblot Art Academy
 * Game 3: Splat Zones on The Reef
 * Game 4 (if necessary): Turf War
 * Game 5 (if necessary): Rainmaker

Semifinal 2

 * Game 1: Tower Control on Starfish Mainstage
 * Game 2: Splat Zones on Musselforge Fitness
 * Game 3: Rainmaker on Inkblot Art Academy
 * Game 4 (if necessary): Turf War
 * Game 5 (if necessary): Rainmaker

Finals
The finals were a best of seven, single-elimination round on mostly Ranked Battle modes.

The battles were as follows:
 * Game 1: Splat Zones on Inkblot Art Academy
 * Game 2: Tower Control on Moray Towers
 * Game 3: Turf War on Humpback Pump Track
 * Game 4: Rainmaker on Musselforge Fitness
 * Game 5 Tower Control on Moray Towers
 * Game 6 (if necessary): Turf War
 * Game 7 (if necessary): Rainmaker

Commentary
Commentary was provided on Nintendo's YouTube channel by NBC Sports Northwest broadcaster Jordan Kent, CNET Senior Editor Ashley Esqueda, and Nintendo Treehouse expert Eric Smith.