Post-release content is additional post-launch content released for Splatoon. Nintendo frequently released new weapons, stages, modes, features, and gear up until 22 January 2016. Usually, Nintendo announced the release date of upcoming content via their social media accounts. An Inkopolis News announcement introduces the new content when it has been released. Interestingly, most additional content was already in the files of Splatoon, but it was not unlocked by Nintendo until its official release. There have been 52 new weapons (counting the Rainmaker), 11 new stages and 3 new modes released. The content updates ended with the release of the Squid Sistersamiibo and their solo songs on 6 July 2016.
Port Mackerel is a shipping yard and, as such, there are numerous containers littering the field, making for several narrow paths in a grid shape. In the middle is another gridded area and on either side of it is an open area and inkable forklifts that ride back and forth across all three lanes. There also exist two upper paths from either spawn point that run around the perimeter of the map, ending in the middle area. It includes many corridors, such as ones around large, colored boxes and crates.
Kelp Dome is shaped like a large square with rounded edges. It includes a variety of paths and ramps divided by uninkable glass containers, which appear to be growing various plants. A network of grated walkways are also found above the central area and its connecting paths, allowing players to ink turf from above.
Bluefin Depot consists of four different levels, the two uppermost most of which can only be accessed by the enemy team by grate walkways. The lowest level is divided by a body of water and requires traversing the third level to switch parts.
Moray Towers consists of two large towers connected by a series of diagonal ramps. It includes two Spawn Points on opposite towers, meeting together in the center through a network of ramps. Although the large amount of ramps provides an easy way to ink turf, players may also jump from ramp to ramp for a quick route to the center.
Camp Triggerfish consists of a series of bridges over water, a large area near the team's spawn, along with a shelter that can only be accessed via a grated pathway in Turf War. Both bases at Camp Triggerfish have a set of floodgates that open and close periodically. When the gates are down, it is easier for other teams to enter.
Flounder Heights is a map set on an apartment complex with many high vantage points and low, corner-based areas. The large amount of walls and the height of the buildings are what makes Flounder Heights so large.
Museum d'Alfonsino is a map that takes place in the courtyard of an art museum. It features five rotating displays which may be inked to reach a variety of high vantage points and low-lying areas.
Mahi-Mahi Resort is a series of platforms located in a squid-shaped swimming pool next to a large hotel. Halfway through the battle, more turf becomes available as the water level recedes.
Ancho-V Games is a large office complex with raised floors and interactive platforms. It appears to house a game-design studio, which is likely the inspiration for its name. This stage is unique in that it incorporates the propeller from Octo Valley in the form of fans. When such fans are repeatedly splattered with ink, they cause a portion of land underneath them to rise. If they are not splattered for a short amount of time, they will lower to their original positions.
Ranked Battle is a category of modes in Splatoon. It is accessible by level 10 and higher players. The modes included in this category require a higher level of strategy compared to regular modes, and wins and losses are counted toward players' ranks. Players begin with a 'C-' rating, but are able to improve by winning matches. Ranked Battle was released when a large amount of players reached level 10.
In Splat Zones, teams battle it out for control of the stage's Splat Zones. Every stage has 1 or 2 Splat Zones. Cover a Splat Zone with ink to take control of it. Then try to keep it in your control for as long as possible! The timer starts once you gain control of all the Splat Zones. When your team's timer reaches 0, you win! But lose control of a single Splat Zone and the timer will stop. There's a penalty for losing all of the Splat Zones to the enemy... So guard them with all your might! If the battle ends without a winner... the team with the lowest count on their timer wins the match! In this mode, Battle Points are awarded based on your timer. Pro tip: if you lose control of a Splat Zone... wait for your team to regroup instead of trying to be a hero.
In Tower Control, two teams of four Inklings fight to control a central Tower. The Tower is a tall, blue structure with ink-able walls and a grate platform for players to stand on. When a player reaches the top of the Tower, it will begin moving on a rail toward enemy territory. If the player standing on the Tower falls off the platform or gets killed, after a short amount of time, the Tower will begin moving rapidly back to the center. Because of this gameplay element, the player on the Tower is a constant target and must be guarded by teammates on the ground.
Private Battle allows players to create custom lobbies that friends can join. The host can pick the stage, the mode, and the weapons players will use. The host chooses how many players (from 1-4) are on each team, allowing for even (such as 1v1 or 4v4) or uneven (such as 1v4 or 1v2) battles. Online and LAN lobbies can be made with Private Battle.[1]
In Squad Battle, players can form a squad of 2-4 friends and play Ranked Battle modes with other squads. If the squad is comprised of 2 players, another 2-player squad will join the team in battle. If the squad is comprised of 3 players, it will be treated as a 4-player team and may face against 4-player teams.
The objective of this mode is to carry the Rainmaker into the enemy team's base, decreasing the amount of distance left to travel along the way. The device is encased in a shield similar to a Zapfish's bubble in Octo Valley, and must be freed before it can be captured. If the match ends without a team successfully carrying the Rainmaker to its designated spot, the team with the lowest amount of distance left wins. Because the Rainmaker is so heavy, the player holding it cannot Super Jump. If it is dropped, a shield will reform around it and it can be recaptured by any other player. The Rainmaker is also capable of shooting twisters of ink like an Inkzooka, allowing the player in control to have a form of defense.
On August 5, Splatoon x Squid Girl collaboration content was released. Revealed on Masahiro Anbe's official Twitter, it features costumes from the manga/anime. Official art was also released with the tweet, and the following issue of Weekly Shōnen Champion also featured an ad to further confirm the crossover. Nintendo of America confirmed on Twitter before the update that the Squid Girl content would be coming to America.
The in-game design
Famitsu Squid Fashion Contest
The winning entry
In their May 20 issue, Famitsu offered a Splatoon costume design submission contest, with the winning entry being added to the game. The selected winner was The Festival Octopus Chef. The gear was added alongside the aforementioned Squid Girl gear in the August 5 update.
Three Splatoon-themed costumes were added to Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U on 14 June 2015, two days before Nintendo's E3 Digital Event was held on 16 June 2015. They were announced in a Nintendo Direct hosted prior to Splatoon's launch.
Those who pre-ordered Splatoon at GameStop received a free code for these costumes, although they could not be obtained until the official release.
The Splatoon-themed content includes a full outfit for Mii Fighters and a Trophy of an Inkling.
Nintendo of America confirmed on Twitter before the update that the Squid Girl content would be coming to America.
