Check out all the free Splatoon DLC coming this summer

Several new maps will join the rotation after launch, and they'll apparently cater to dedicated players with more "technical" challenges.

New weapons like the speedy Inkbrush roller will filter into the game, adding new wrinkles to established strategies.

A bigger wardrobe is rarely a bad thing, and the August update event will add plenty of new ways outfit your squid-kid for fashion and ability-boosts alike.

Ranked battles won't actually be available from launch - a certain number of players will have to reach level 10 in Turf Wars before everybody can start squaring off for glory in Splat Zones.

Fortunately, Splat Zones won't be the lone Ranked Battle option for long. Tower Control mode is set to enter the rotation soon after, and the ominous-sounding Rainmaker will join them in the August update.

You can join friends' Turf Wars matches if they have room, though you won't necessarily be on the same team. The August update will add support for pre-made 4-player teams battles, as well as private 8-player matches.

I got a BA in journalism from Central Michigan University - though the best education I received there was from CM Life, its student-run newspaper. Long before that, I started pursuing my degree in video games by bugging my older brother to let me play Zelda on the Super Nintendo. I've previously been a news intern for GameSpot, a news writer for CVG, and now I'm a staff writer here at GamesRadar.