Squid Research Lab/Archive/2019

This is an archive of all the posts from the Live from Squid Research Lab Tumblr. It is a direct copy of the source material, and as such, any errors are retained. Tumblr tags are designated with a box around it:.

January


We here at the Squid Research Lab wish you good tidings and a Happy New Year!

2019-01-01



The 48 hour Frosty Fest event starts now! Is ink thicker than water with Team Family, or are you BFFs with Team Friends? Pick your preferred team and go get that clout until 1/6 at 2pm PT!

2019-01-04



Team Friends sticks together and takes the Frosty Fest win 2-1! Thanks to everyone who participated, and be sure to pick up your Super Sea Snails in Inkopolis Square!

2019-01-06



It’s ink or be inked in the Splatoon 2 North America Inkling Open 2019! Gather your strongest squad and splat it out in online qualifiers on 2/10. The best will battle for a chance to be crowned as champions!

Details: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/events/

Splatoon 2:

NO PURCH. NEC. Must be US, CAN, or MEX res.; age 13+ (18+ for Mex.); have access to Nintendo Switch, Splatoon 2,  high-speed internet access & NSO. Registration Period ends 2/10/19 9:00AM PT. See Rules for details. https://bit.ly/2SWWs1Y

2019-01-22



New weapons inkoming! 10 weapons from Sheldon’s Picks that appeared in the original Splatoon game will be added to Splatoon 2 in a future update!

2019-01-27

The Ver. 4.4.0 update for Splatoon 2 is now available!

For full details on the update please visit: https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27028/~/how-to-update-splatoon-2

2019-01-29



A new Splatfest announcement has just arrived at the lab, and it’s a brutal breakfast battle to crown the king of carbs! Which breakfast item do you prefer, Pancakes or Waffles? Pick your preferred treat and get ready to Turf War starting February 8th at 8pm PT, until February 9th at 8pm PT.

2019-01-31

February
In case you missed it, these are the featured Ranked Battle stages available during February. Eight stages are available in each mode, and two out of eight stages will be playable in a given two-hour rotation.

2019-02-06



The big breakfast Splatfest is right around the corner! Whether you’re Team Pancakes or Team Waffles, the safe money is on Team Syrup! The Splatfest kicks off this Friday, February 8th, at 8pm PT until 2/9 at 8pm PT.

2019-02-06



Happy Valentine’s Day!

This greeting card arrived from one of our fellow researchers. It’s great to give chocolates to someone, but it’s also important to treat yourself sometimes. And there’s nothing like having your favorite food with friends, or bandmates, around!

2019-02-14



Crusty Sean and Murch have teamed up to provide everyone with some Gear Ability tips via the Squid Research Lab Report on the Nintendo Switch News Channel! Even better, if you check out the article via your Nintendo Switch, you’ll receive some Drink Tickets courtesy of these aquatic amigos! Keep an eye out for these articles to start popping up late next week!

2019-02-22



Heads-up Inklings and Octolings! We’ve just received word that the Splatoon 2 North America Open 2019 Online Finals are set to kick off on 3/2 at 9am PT! Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to see who inks their way to the Final Event at PAX East 2019!

events.nintendo.com

2019-02-26

March


It’s time for the Splatoon 2 North America Open 2019 Online Finals! Everyone at the Squid Research Lab is tuning in to see which teams rise to the top and make their way to PAX East. How about you?

https://www.twitch.tv/nintendo

2019-03-02



In case you missed it, here are the current Ranked Battle stages for March. Eight stages are available in each mode, and two out of eight stages will be playable in a given two-hour rotation.

2019-03-13



After all that time on the road touring, it looks like the Bottom Feeders are kicking (or is it punching?) back in their own unique way!

2019-03-14

[PSA] Heads-up Inklings and Octolings, Update Ver.4.5.1 is now available.

This update fixed an issue occurring during Clam Blitz matches in Piranha Pit, where clams on the ground that touched a specific piece of stage terrain were causing the game to crash.

For full details about software updates for the Splatoon 2 game, please visit: http://bit.ly/2AOgVzg

2019-03-14



The Squid Research Lab has compiled this pretty-easy-to-understand (sort of?) Splatoon 2 Relationship Chart! I’m receiving word we may need to reword this description for clarity, but in the meantime, reacquaint yourself with these friendly faces!

2019-03-14



The Splatfest kicks off tonight at 9:00pm PT! In the meantime, how many Fresh Fish mascots can you spot in this picture? He’s closer than you might think!

2019-03-15





Hear ye hear ye! Ye olde Splatfest results have arrived! With a 2-1 win, Team Wizards is formally declared the victor!

Thanks to all the participants, and make sure to pick up your Super Sea Snails!

2019-03-17



Have a friend who hasn’t played the Splatoon 2 game yet? Good news, a Special Demo event will be happening from 3/19 7:00am PT to 3/25 6:59am PT! It’s a great way to introduce them to the wonderful world of Splatoon!

The demo will include Regular Battles, Ranked Battles (once they’ve reached level 10), and Salmon Run, and demo players can play with players who own the full game. If demo players decide to purchase the full game, they’ll be able to transfer their save progress over.

Participants will need an Internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online membership to play. Fortunately, by downloading the demo from Nintendo eShop, you can receive a code for a free 7-day trial for Nintendo Switch Online!

Even if you’ve activated a previous free trial, you are still eligible for this trial too. Code expires 3/25 at 7:00am PT.

As an added bonus, the digital version of Splatoon 2 will be available with a 20% discount on the Nintendo eShop starting 3/19 at 7am PT until 3/28 at 8:59 am PT.

2019-03-18





As the old saying goes, April Ink Storms bring May flowers, and that means Spring Fest is right around the corner! This special event is using the power of pastels to turn Inkopolis Square into a colorful hot spot!

Battle it out in the 48-hour event from April 19th, 3:00pm PT to April 21st, 3:00pm PT.



The theme of Spring Fest is “which will win in a race, the hare or the tortoise?”





Along with this Splatfest, some spring-colored gear will be given out via the Squid Research Lab Report (Splatoon 2) News Channel on your Nintendo Switch system: Spring colored visors and colorful custom kicks with design supervision from Pearl and Marina!

2019-03-30



We just received breaking news following the North America Inkling Open 2019. The Ver.4.6.0 update is coming on Tue, April 2nd.





This update will include the distribution of the previously announced Sheldon’s Picks. In addition to the previously announced 10 weapons, two additional weapons – Clear Dapple Dualies and the Tenta Camo Brella will be added to the game. These 12 weapons will be added all at once via the update.







• Fresh Squiffer w/ Suction Bombs & Inkjet • Permanent Inkbrush w/ Sprinkler & Ink Armor • Soda Slosher w/ Splat Bombs & Burst-Bomb Launcher • Bamboozler 14 Mk III w/ Fizzy Bombs & Bubble Blower • Grim Range Blaster w/ Burst Bombs & Tenta Missiles • N-ZAP ‘83 w/ Sprinkler & Ink Storm • Aerospray PG w/ Burst Bombs & Booyah Bomb • Sploosh-o-matic 7 w/ Splat Bombs & Ultra Stamp • Heavy Splatling Remix w/ Point Sensor & Booyah Bomb • Cherry H-3 Nozzlenose w/ Splash Wall & Bubble Blower • Tenta Camo Brella w/ Ink Mines & Ultra Stamp • Clear Dapple Dualies w/ Torpedo & Splashdown These will be the final weapons added to the game.



Another feature being added is weapon badges, which act as marks of pride showing just how much you’ve used a particular weapon.



Whenever you reach 100,000, 500,000, 1,000,000, and the maximum number of points inked with each weapon, these badges will display.



Once earned, you can check them out on your player status screen and the equip screen!

2019-03-30

April




Our researchers in the field are reporting that the Ver.4.6.0 update is now available! And be sure to check out the latest Squid Research Lab Report via the News Channel on your Nintendo Switch to claim your special Spring Fest gear!

2019-04-04



Research indicates that the new Ver.8.0.0 update for the Nintendo Switch system has been distributed. With this update, more Splatoon character icons have been added! Feel free to refresh your style with these new icons!

2019-04-16



A friendly reminder to all the Inklings and Octolings out there, the special Spring Fest event kicks off this Friday, 4/19, at 3:00pm PT! Will you be a part of the bunny business with Team Hare, or raise shell with Team Tortoise? And remember, this special event runs until 3:00pm PT on 4/21, so you’ll have extra time to crush-tacean the other team!

2019-04-17





The race results are in, and Team Hare have taken the Spring Fest win by a hair! Thanks to everyone who participated, and make sure to pick up your Super Sea Snails in Inkopolis Square!

2019-04-22

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGZW_Uvhvvk

Did you miss Off the Hook’s concert from earlier this year? Fear not Inklings and Octolings, the Squid Research Lab has obtained this video of Pearl and Marina in action! According to our charts, their dance moves are 99.9% Fresh, incredible!

2019-04-25



Murch and Crusty Sean are back with Vol. 4 of their Gear Ability Tips. While we haven’t verified the source of this independent research, you can view it on the Squid Research Lab (Splatoon 2) Nintendo Switch News Channel. You’ll also receive some free Ability Chunks for your time!

2019-04-25

May
The latest entry in Murch and Crusty Sean’s Gear Ability Tips articles is now available. Learn about the Swim Speed Up and Ninja Squid abilities via the Squid Research Lab Report (Splatoon 2) Channel on the Nintendo Switch News Channel, then login to the game via the article to receive some free Ability Chunks!

2019-05-23

June


Here are the stage selections for the Splatoon 2 World Championship 2019! Which team are you rooting for?

Tune in 6/8 at 11:30am PT to see which squad will lay claim to the coveted Sterling Squid trophy!

Rules and details: https://e3.nintendo.com/tournaments/splatoon-2-world-championship-2019/

2019-06-03



What’s this? The Squid Research Lab has received this mysterious video! What could it contain?

2019-06-08

Splatoon 2 Final Splatfest



It’s been two years since the launch of Splatoon 2, and now the shadow of the Splatocalypse is coming! This final Splatfest asks “Which world would you choose? Chaos or Order?”

Will you fight for a world of chaos, with an ever-shifting blur of boundaries and borders, where the only path through the confusion is that which you carve out for yourself? Or will you battle for a world of order governed by an unwavering discipline, in which your path toward a promised future is straight and well-paved? The time has come and the choice is yours!



This Splatfest will be a 72 hour event running from 7/18 at 5am PT until 7/21 at 5am PT, wrapping up exactly two years from the game’s initial launch. Make sure not to miss this be all, end all “Splatocalypse” extravaganza!



In addition, a new Shifty Station stage will be added for this Final Splatfest, and all 23 of the previous Splatfest-specific stages will be making a reappearance, too. The 23 previous stages will surface in a constantly…shifting rotation for the first 48 hours, with the new stage making its debut for the final 24 hour period. This is just the chance to relive all your favorite Splatfest battle memories!



We’ll also be releasing some special gear to go along with the Final Splatfest. Each side will see two pieces of unique headgear inspired by the themes of chaos and order, for a total of four! Look for an upcoming report from Squid Research Lab (Splatoon 2) Nintendo Switch News Channel in late June to find out how to grab this great gear!



Following the Final Splatfest in late July, the Ver. 5.0.0. Update is planned for release. This update will add the “Turf War (Splatfest)” option to Private Battles, allowing you to battle it out on any of the 24 Shifty Station stages.





Playing in “Turf War (Splatfest)” will also cause all 23 of the normal stages to appear in all their nighttime Splatfest splendor! You’ll also be able to select team ink color combinations from all those used in previous Splatfests. Get together with your friends and host a private Splatfest-themed party of your very own!

2019-06-08



Will you make your point with Team Unicorn or take a stab at victory with Team Narwhal? The Splatfest gets going 6/14 at 9pm PT!

2019-06-12





The Splatoon 2 Splatfest results have arrived, and Team Narwhal proves they’re real with a 3-0 sweep! Thanks to everyone who participated, now prepare yourself for the Final Splatfest, coming 7/18!

2019-06-16



Another round of research from Murch and Crusty Sean has arrived! This time, they’re discussing the Quick Super Jump and Stealth Jump abilities! Give their article a read over on the Nintendo Switch News Channel, and while you’re there, log into the game via the article to score 20 Quick Super Jump Ability Chunks!

2019-06-20



We’re receiving reports that the final Shifty Station stage in Splatoon 2 will be titled MC.Princess Diaries! We also have unconfirmed reports that the stage might feature an in person appearance from Pearl and Marina themselves…





Additionally, with over 20 returning Shifty Stations in the rotation for the Final Splatfest, we’ve been given a look at the schedule for the Final Splatfest: Sets of the existing Shifty Stations from past Splatfests will appear in 2-hour rotations during the first 48 hours, and during the last 24 hours, the new Shifty Station for this Final Splatfest, MC.Princess Diaries, will appear. Mark your calimari-endars accordingly!

Here’s a list of the previous Shifty Station stages for your records:















































2019-06-21



The Ver. 4.9.0 update for Splatoon 2 is now available! In addition, the Final Splatfest has now been announced in-game! Start up your copy of the game to see how Pearl and Marina feel about this one…

Ver. 4.9.0 update details: http://bit.ly/Splatoon2Update

2019-06-26



T-shirts celebrating the Final Splatfest's Team Chaos and Team Order will be coming to the real, human world too! They’ll be available for purchase starting mid-July at store.nintendo.com. Stay tuned for more details!

2019-06-27





Greetings SRL readers. The Splatocalypse is looming right around the corner and Inklings and Octolings have started wearing some curious new fashions around Inkopolis Square. If you’re interested in wearing this free new gear yourself, check out the recent Squid Research Lab Report article on the Nintendo Switch News Channel for the details!

2019-06-27



Here’s the art shown during the announcement of the final Splatfest. If you look carefully, you’ll see the Splatoon 2 characters are divided into Team Chaos, Team Order, and neutral. Let’s dig into why they want their vision of the world to come true!

2019-06-28



Callie: Team Chaos “I might be a pop star, but even I want to pop off every now and then!” She can be a handful for Marie with her carefree and adventurous attitude, but it’s that same free spirit that qualifies her to be a resident of the world of Chaos.

2019-06-28



Marie: Team Order “Someone around here has to keep it together…” Even though Callie’s free spirit has been a good influence on her, Marie still like things to be nice and neat. Even a bit of idle chit-chat needs a solid one-liner to stitch things up, which is why she’s a solid candidate for the world of Order.

2019-06-29

July


Sheldon: Team Neutral “Go on! Give it a shot!” So long as the Turf War battles rage on, so too will Sheldon dedicate his life to crafting ink-based weaponry. This horseshoe crab cares not for the fate of Inkopolis…so long as he can continue to invent new ways to splat.

2019-07-01



Spyke: Team Chaos “Oi, mate. You really fink this festival’s gunna decide the fate of the world, then?” You’ve seen him in the café, fingers dancing across the keyboard of his laptop. Could those same fingers be pulling the strings of society? He may have found a way to exploit the peaceful order of Inkopolis, but make no mistake–at his core, Spyke is an agent of Chaos.

2019-07-01



Murch: Team Order “This new gear I got’ll blow your fins off, for reals!"

One quick glance into Murch’s eye will tell you where his loyalties lie. This driven street urchin has laser focus and never rests on his laurels. Though he follows in the footsteps of an agent of chaos, he is, without question, ready to take your Order.

2019-07-01



Mr. Grizz: Neutral “Don’t be so worried. The sea answers all questions.” As far as this mysterious being is concerned, the shallow affairs of Inkopolis are insignificant next to the vast depth of the seven seas. No matter what fate may await the world, the sea watches silently, biding its time.

2019-07-02



Annie: Team Chaos “Umm… Gear abilities are cool and stuff…I guess.” Items stocked in her online shop provide a flair of eccentricity not available in standard gear. Squidkids everywhere are constantly refreshing their phones for a chance to snag her latest release.

2019-07-03



Crusty Sean & Bisk: Team Order Their shared love for footwear make it natural that they’d end up on the same side. When these neighbors get caught up in shoe talk, it can last until sunup. Is THAT why the lines for Sean’s food truck are so long?

2019-07-04



Flow & Craymond: Team Chaos “Oh, friends, what’s a world without wild parties? Join me, won’t you?” Flow and Craymond set up shop looking to connect with the energies of the universe. They now hope to open a new world’s third eye to the exciting possibilities of chaos.

2019-07-05



Jelfonzo: Team Order “Forsooth, but fashion flourishes or fails on its fundamentals.” Though a proponent of the idea that fashion is a form of freedom, Jelfonzo is also firm that context is king. One look in his watery eyes confirms his constant commitment to couture.

2019-07-06



Salmonids: Team Chaos Their single-minded drive to get back to their spawning grounds COULD be seen as orderly…if you squint. But who are we kidding? The frenzied, indiscriminate way they stampede over everyone and everything in the way of that goal is chaos to a T.

2019-07-07



Octarians: Team Order “The light that was denied us will be ours.” Since the Great Turf War drove them below, they have used their technological skill to bring a sort of order to their realm. But deep down, they know true order cannot be fabricated. It must be seized.

2019-07-08



The Team Chaos and Team Order Final Splatfest T-shirts are now available for purchase in the real, human world too! Head over to store.nintendo.com today and pick your side. So, which team will it be for you? Chaos or Order?

👕: http://bit.ly/2XBoy9n

2019-07-09



Iso Padre: Team Chaos

“It’s the flaws that make a thing beautiful. Someday you’ll see that too.” What drove the Padre to team Chaos? Could be that after so long traveling the same rails in the same car, he’s ready for something new, no matter what shape it takes.

2019-07-09



Cap’n Cuttlefish & Agent 3: Team Order

“We’re on duty today, whether you like it or not. Can’t sleep while the enemy plots!” Agents 1 and 2 are generally busy with their own problems these days, so these guardians of order protect the denizens of Inkopolis from the shadows.

2019-07-10



Agent 4: Team Chaos

Agent 4 is the type of squid who goes with the flow, even when the waters are raging. This silent squid values freedom and flexibility more than anything, and while it’s rumored that Agent 4 helped Marie save the world or whatever, I’m pretty sure that was mostly Marie’s idea.

2019-07-11



Agent 8: Team Order Even Octolings who’ve been freed by the Calamari Inkantation don’t lose their disciplined personalities. Agent 8 can’t sleep at night until every nearby weapon has been methodically cleaned and checked. In fact, I hear Sheldon might be looking to hire Eight to work at Ammo Knights.

2019-07-14



DJ Octavio & Li'l Judd: Team Chaos

“Don’t furget about us!” One has tasted bitter defeat in battle. The other is literally a copycat. These two may be nothing alike, but their desire to step out of the shadows and into the light burns with all the chaos of a firestorm. Actually…they’re pretty similar when you think about it.

2019-07-14



Telephone & C.Q. Cumber: Team Order

“These failed prototypes, endlessly warring for turf…” If we assume that chaos already reigns and that order needs to be restored, who decides what “order” actually looks like? These two likely have their own opinions on that subject, and they probably don’t include the words “free” or “will.”

2019-07-15



Pearl: Team Chaos

“With chaos, you never know what’ll happen next, which is AWESOME!” The Queen of Chaos won’t stand for a world full of the same old boring colors. What new hues will the power of her voice unleash during the Final Splatfest?

2019-07-15



Attending San Diego Comic-Con? Visit the ballroom at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina and check in with your My Nintendo account to receive these Splatoon 2 Final Splatfest themed keychains, while supplies last!

http://bit.ly/2Y40s6x

2019-07-16



Marina: Team Order

“I just want to protect the balance I’ve found in my life.” Vowing to defend the stable life she’s created for herself, this determined DJ holds these thoughts in her heart as the Final Splatfest arrives.

2019-07-16



Judd: Neutral

After the countless battles he’s presided over, always watching, always judging—is the future reflected in his eyes one of order…or chaos? Whatever the case may be, the final showdown is about to kick off! It’s Splatocalypse time!

2019-07-17



A Splatocalypse of cataclysmic proportions has arrived! Will you side with the punky Pearl and thrash towards victory with Team Chaos? Or join forces with the mellow Marina and harmonize with Team Order?

The Final Splatfest begins today, and runs until 7/21 at 5am PT!

2019-07-18



The votes have been tallied and the Splatocalypse has come to its ultimate conclusion! With a 3-0 win, Team Chaos are your Final Splatfest victors! Congratulations to these patrons of pandemonium!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this Splatfest and all the others, and thank you for supporting Splatoon 2! We hope you’ll continue battling online or running Salmon Run shifts with your friends and rivals!

2019-07-21

https://youtu.be/Ei2T9UFpw6Y

It’s been a long road of exciting Splatfests, but they wouldn’t have been possible without your participation! Thanks to all the players, artists, and fans for supporting Splatoon 2! And remember, there’s still plenty of online battles and Salmon Run shifts to go around! 🦑🐙

2019-07-23



The Shellendorf Institute is currently closed for renovations. During this time, this stage cannot be used in Regular Battle, Ranked Battle and League Battle. This renovation is scheduled to end on or around Wed, July 30th. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

2019-07-29





The Ver.5.0.0 update for Splatoon 2 is now available! This update adds the “Turf War (Splatfest)” mode to Private Battles. Enjoy all the previous Shifty Station stages and more!

Along with the release of the Update Data Ver.5.0.0, the Splatfest Tee Replica will be distributed. This gear not only has the Ability Doubler ability, but also has the function to change most of its color to your team’s ink color. It’s the perfect choice for your private Splatfests!

https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/27028/~/how-to-update-splatoon-2

2019-07-31

August


The Splatoon 2 North American Online Open Summer 2019 is coming, think you’ve got what it takes? The winning team will receive a trip to the Nintendo Live event in Japan, and get to compete against Splatoon 2 teams in a global tournament!

Get registered today, and get ready to qualify, starting 8/24 at 9am PT! https://battlefy.com/splatoon2

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the US and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are age 13+, and Mexico who are age 18+, and have access to a Nintendo Switch system, Splatoon 2 game, reliable high-speed internet connection, and a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Registration Period begins 8/15/19 and ends 8/24/19 at 9:00 AM PT. Qualifiers will be held 8/24/19. Start time is 9:00 AM PT. To participate, register at battlefy.com/splatoon2. Top 8 and Finals will be held 8/25/19. Start time is 9:00 AM PT. 5 prizes will be awarded each consisting of a slot to participate in the Nintendo Live event to be held 10/12/19 to 10/13/19 in Kyoto, Japan, 6 nights lodging, round-trip airfare and a $450 Visa gift card (ARV $3,000 US each). Skill of participating players determines the winner(s). See Official Rules for details and restrictions. https://battlefy.com/splatoon2 Sponsor: Nintendo of America Inc., 4600 150th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.

2019-08-15

October


It’s almost time for all the icky Inklings, occult Octolings, unnerving urchins, frightening flounders, and gruesome groupers to come out and play! Happy Splatoween!

2019-10-30

December
A small update adjusting several of the weapons in Splatoon 2 will be arriving 1/6.

Check out the full details here: http://bit.ly/Splatoon2Update

2019-12-23





The Splatoon 2 team wishes a Merry Squidmas to all the good little Inklings and Octolings out there!

2019-12-24