Nintendo has confirmed that the major summer update for its team-based shooter Splatoon will be arriving on August 6th.

It's the biggest update yet for the game, which has benefited from a drip-feed of new weapons, maps, and modes since its release in May. Upon downloading the free update, the biggest additions you'll receive are two new match-making options: Squad Battle and Private Battle.

In Squad Battle, you'll be able to team-up with your friends to tackle Ranked Battles, rather than being assigned random teammates. You can create your own squad of between two and four players and ensure that you'll always be on the same team as your buddies.

Private Battle is also for friends, but you'll be able to play around a bit more with the rules. You'll be able to customise map choices, weapons, and modes. You'll even be able to play with less than 8 people - 1v1 matches are the smallest possible, and you'll even be able to set up 1v4 games.

With the update also comes a significant increase to the level cap. Currently, the maximum level you can reach is 20, but this will be increased to 50. Furthermore, S and S+ ranks will be attainable on Ranked Battles; a tier higher than A+.

It wouldn't be an update without new weapons, and two new weapon types will also be released. The Slosher can hurl ink forward at a high range, whilst the Splatling is like a Gatling-gun, which can be charged for maximum deadliness. On top of these, over 40 new pieces of wearable gear will make their way to the in-game shops.

This will not be the end of Splatoon's free updates though, as even more weapons, maps, and modes will be added to the game further into summer and autumn.