New multiplayer mode for Splatoon announced

Nintendo has sent over three screenshots for Splatoon along with information on the Wii U another of the title's multiplayer modes.

Called Ranked Battle, it keeps track of each player's online ranking. Splat Zones is one of the additional ways to play online in this mode.

It differs from Turf War, which is the main online mode, in that it will be available to all players as soon as they begin playing Splatoon. Splat Zones lets players try to control the territory of specific areas of the map with their ink blasts.

As they play ranked modes online, they can increase their rating from “C-” to “A+,” which will be dynamically updated based on their performance. Players will need to achieve an in-game online Level of 10 by leveling up their Inkling in Turf War online matches before gaining access to these additional modes.

As a result, once the game launches in May, Nintendo will track the global progress of players as they gain levels, and once a "critical mass of players" has achieved Level 10, this additional mode will be unlocked for players who meet the criteria.

In Turf War, players go head-to-head in 4v4 teams to try to cover as much territory as possible in their team’s ink. Players will gain levels and earn in-game currency which can be used to customize their Inkling.

Different pieces of clothing can be equipped to provide different game-play perks such as swimming more quickly through ink or decreasing the time it takes to refill an ink canister.

A variety of online multiplayer maps include Blackbelly Skatepark, Saltspray Rig and Walleye Warehouse.

Splatoon is a Wii U exclusive and is set for a worldwide release in May.