Smite Adding New Character, Map, and Japanese Pantheon

To mark the start of the 2016 Smite World Championship today, Hi-Rez Studios announced a number of additions on the way to the game.

Season 3 of Smite will introduce the first characters from the Japanese Pantheon. This starts with Amaterasu, who will be available in the PC version this coming Tuesday, January 12, and on Xbox One in "late February." She's a warrior that Hi-Rez says has a "team-oriented kit" and some unique skills. This includes a passive that places a debuff on an enemy that also affects enemies who then stand near that player.

Future characters from the Japanese Pantheon haven't yet been confirmed, but there are a number of Japanese-themed skins on the way for existing characters in the coming weeks. Those include Kaiju Sobek and Harajuku Neith, both of which can be seen in the video above.

Smite is also finally getting the Chinese-themed Joust map first teased last year. You can get a look at that in the video below.

Finally, Hi-Rez said that during Season 3 it will place a focus on the "overall user experience." That will consist of improving the in-game shop and user interface, as well as the addition of daily quests.

In the meantime, Hi-Rez today launched its first mobile game, Jetpack Fighter, which will feature Smite's Nemesis as a skin in the game. Jetpack Fighter character Leona will, in turn, be available as a skin for Nemesis in Smite. Additionally, Hi-Rez's other upcoming game, Paladins, will feature Smite's Sylvanus (or, more specifically, his treant, Grover) as a playable character.