Arowana Mall

"Callie: The town's been booming since they built this mall! Marie: Are you sure it's not the other way around?"

Arowana Mall is a multiplayer stage in Splatoon.



Layout
Arowana Mall is long and relatively narrow with multiple large, central areas and hidden side passages.

The only way for one team to get to the other side of the map is by going through the center.

Hazards
Arowana Mall features many waterways, often under grated platforms. Because of this, becoming a squid while standing on a grate is often risky.

It is also possible to fall out-of-bounds by going through the fencing on the outside of the Side Alleys.

Notable Locations

 * Central Area: In the center of Arowana Mall is an area connected by two ramps, with relatively large areas at the bottom of the ramps on each side. This location is the site of many skirmishes, but getting around it is simple as both teams' territories are connected by narrow side passages.
 * Side Alleys: On either side of Arowana Mall, two side passages connect teams' Spawn Points to the Central Area. However, teams' bases cannot be directly accessed through these passages if a player is entering from the Central Area. From the Central Area, players must swim up small walls in order to access these passages.
 * Bases: Each team's base is an open area with access to one Side Passage and and a lower area leading to the Central Area. It also connects to a network of grated platforms that provide a fast way to ambush the opposing team and snipe players from a safe distance.

Splat Zones
The Splat Zone for Arowana Mall exists in the very center of the stage where all paths meet, and is overlooked by multiple hallways or platforms. In this mode, the Side Alleys are now linked to the other side of the map via an added grated walkway over the pools of water. There are also many blocks and grates surrounding the Splat Zone, making it easy to sneak up on the opposing team with a Slosher or any other type of weapon.

Tower Control
The tower in Arowana Mall in located at the center of the map, replacing the information tower. The goals are located at the base of each teams' ramp in the lower area of their Base. When ridden, the tower proceeds to the riding team's right, placing itself over water. It then goes back to the center and continues on to the goal.

Tips

 * Elevated platforms running along either side of the Central Area make chargers very useful here for splatting foes.
 * Constricted space in the Side Alleys make Ink Mines and Splash Walls a viable option for controlling enemy movement.
 * Point Sensors are particularly useful to throw up and into the center area before climbing the hill in the Central Area to avoid potential ambush.
 * The potted plant in each of the Side Alleys makes an ideal hiding spot to avoid enemy fire and catch foes off-guard.
 * The palm trees on both sides of the map can provide protection against Inkzookas.

Development
Arowana Mall underwent a series of changes between its development period and release. The pre-release version included many differences, such as:
 * There was much less verticality.
 * The current side passages were not present.
 * The ramps were very small.
 * There was much less water, as well as fewer grates.
 * There was a raised, U-shaped glass platform in the center of the stage.
 * The buildings that formed the stage's walls were much different.

There were a few changes made to the map after the August Update. These include:
 * A palm tree was added to the lone planter just left before entering the center of the map
 * A sign was added at the exits from the side areas to prevent sniping from the side they belong to

Trivia

 * It is possible to jump out of bounds into the beach area beside the map, on the corridors on the far sides. If the player does this, they will instantly die and respawn. That said, it's possible to stand on the palmtrees closest to the center of the map and stay on top of them for a bit.
 * The map's name is based on the real life arowana. The fish is known for its long slender body and ability to jump great heights. The arowana reference is therefore particularly well-suited as the map has several areas with large ramps and steep cutoffs and is long and rectangular in shape.