Good news for European fans - EuroGamer has confirmed that the PlayStation 2 port of Ratchet & Clank: Size Matters, confirmed for North America only in recent weeks, will be released in Europe - and according to the article, as soon as March, the same month as the US release will apprently be.
By Galacticdramon PLATFORMS
Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters [PSP]
Jennifer Clark has stated that there will be a demo to download from the Playstation 3's Store before the game is released. It has not been said as to when the demo will be up for download but what is known is that you will be able to test before you buy the game.
"Glad you guys liked the video and hope you have been able to check out some of the coverage. A lot of you have been asking about a demo on the PlayStation Store. Yes we will have one before the game launches! Stay tuned for a more specific date. And if you are planning to go to PAX, be sure to stop by our booth to play the latest code."
If you are a fan of the series (or are simply interested in the game), you know you've been waiting for it for some time now. Well the time is now, as in the recent Podcast for Insomniac, the release date for the game has finally been revealed. The game will be releasing in the US, and Europe on 23rd October 2007. Listen to the Podcast to hear not just the announcement, but music from the game, something that will have you wishing for more.
According to Insomniac themselves, Resistance is complete and R&C for the PS3 is in full production.
"Those of you who are waiting for some Ratchet & Clank news, here’s a quick
update. We are in full production on our R&C PlayStation 3 game. That’s all we
can share at this time, but you’ll be hearing and seeing more from us in the
not-so-distant future. "
- Insomniac Games October Monthly Newsletter Update
Slap on your tight green suit and shiny new boots and get ready for a Portal Update.
It's been awhile, so we figured that we would do a nice little update. Add some new R&C games to the list (PSP, PS3) and even update some past work. Hope you're ready for it.
By dragonclawz PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
"$19.99? You'll even have money for a pizza!"
Sony has announced that Ratchet: Deadlocked is among the latest class of games to be inducted into the line of greatest hits. Besides some spiffy new red packaging, the game gets its price tag reduced to the handy $19.99.
If you haven't had a chance to check out Deadlocked yet, now is the time!
This is a total new level in the Ratchet and Clank series and it comes out this year (late 2006) before Ratchet and Clank: Size Matters for the PSP is released early 2007.
By Ratchet_commando PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
Over the past few days, we've received several emails from our fans asking if we're abandoning Ratchet & Clank in favor of Resistance: Fall of Man. The answer, in a word, is NO.
While our current focus is on launching Resistance: Fall of Man, we have announced in the past that we're making a Ratchet & Clank game for PlayStation 3. So, fear not! As soon as we start revealing details about our next Ratchet & Clank game, we promise our fans will be among the first to know.
We cannot reveal any more information about Ratchet & Clank for PlayStation 3 at this time though. So thanks for your understanding, and for your continued patience and loyalty. Everyone at Insomniac really appreciates it. You guys are the best!
Posted on June 05, 2006 by Insomniac
By JJBdude 48 PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
Ratchet and Clank have had a lively time over the past four years since the dynamic duo first teamed up in 2002's Ratchet and Clank on the PlayStation 2. The unlikely pairing of the long-eared whatsit and the cool little robot of many uses has resulted in some fine platforming on the PS2 over the course of four games. Like any good platforming heroes, the pair is about to embark on another adventure in the near future, but this time they'll be having it on the PlayStation Portable. As longtime fans, we've been intrigued by the thought of some portable Ratchet and Clank action and were happy to get an exclusive look at a very early work-in-progress version of the game. Though still embryonic in many ways, the game gave us a taste of what to expect from the pair's PSP debut.
The game's story finds the pair heading out for some much-needed rest after all of the excitement from the past four PlayStation 2 games. Platforming is hard work, and the duo has been at it pretty consistently for a while now. To recharge their batteries (spiritually speaking for Ratchet and a little more literally for Clank), the pair head out to an island for some seaside relaxation. Unfortunately, as any platforming star can tell you, vacations just don't go right when you're an action hero. In R&C's case, things fall apart slowly but surely. While lounging on the beach, they meet a young, pigtailed bundle of trouble named Luna.
It seems the young alien Luna is doing a school project on heroes and, upon seeing the duo at the beach, approaches them to be her subjects. Though the pair is in need of some vacationing, let's face it, they're not without ego, so they agree to be her subjects. No sooner does this happen than trouble comes along in the form of some unpleasant aliens who want to snag the young fan. Your initial goal in the game is to rescue your devotee, but as is often the case, you come to discover a bigger, more-nefarious plot that needs to be dealt with, which will send you on a planet-hopping, platforming adventure. Fans of the series will be pleased to see some familiar faces pop up to mix it up with the boys. In the demo, we saw Captain Qwark hanging around the same beach.
Now, while this may all sound like classic Ratchet and Clank, it may surprise some to hear that the game is not being developed by R&C's originators, Insomniac Games. But before fans have visions of disaster come to them, take heart--the developer being handed the keys to the series, High Impact Games, has ties to both the franchise and Insomniac. The new Los Angeles-based developer is made up of several ex-Insomniacs, all of which clocked in some time on the previous entries in the series. The team's familiarity with the series, as well as a good working relationship with Insomniac, ensures that the game will stay true to the franchise's spirit.
As far as the gameplay goes, Ratchet and Clank's PSP adventure feels a lot like the earlier entries in the series. You'll have Clank kicking it on your back and lending a hand when needed, and fans will be pleased to hear that the tiny bot will also be stepping out on his own from time to time as he did on the consoles, allowing those of us that missed playing as the little guy in last year's Deadlocked to get our Clank fix. In addition to Clank, you'll have an assortment of weapons and gadgets at your disposal during your adventure. Though the demo only showed off a handful--flamethrowers, scorchers, acid grenades, and gravity boots--the High Impact crew intends to mix in some old favorites from the previous games, as well as all new weapons and gadgets. Beyond weapons, you'll once again be able to level Ratchet up and increase his maximum health in a scaled-back version of the leveling system seen in the later console games.
The visuals in the game are shaping up to be faithful to the early PlayStation 2 games. Granted we weren't surprised to see just how sharp the title is looking in the wake of Daxter's PSP debut earlier this year, but it's still good to see the pair fitting comfortably on the portable system. The playable sections of the demo were a modest sampling of some of the different environments on just one of the planets you'll be adventuring on. The early portions find you exploring beach areas, complete with crabs and Hawaiian-shirt-wearing enemy bots (yes, even evildoers try to squeeze in some r&r when they can). Though it's still early in development, these levels showed off a design that's similar to the console titles.
The game's visual style follows suit, with clean textures and detailed character models. Ratchet and Clank look the sharpest right now, although Luna looks pretty cute, as well. One of the nice touches we're digging at the moment is the animation, which is always one of the bright spots in an R&C game. This early version already has some nice bits, especially in the flowered-shirt-wearing bots' gangly movements and Luna's camerawork as she happily snaps shots and documents just about anything you do. Beyond the game graphics, we got an early look at the first pass of cinematics that are going to be used in the game, and we're pleased by their look. Best of all, though the game is still very much a work in progress, the frame rate is already moving along fairly smoothly, which we hope bodes well for the future.
The audio was still pretty nascent, but what was there covered all the right bases for a Ratchet and Clank game. Fans will be pleased to hear the original voice cast is back to voice the gang. The sound effects we heard are equally faithful and make use of all the familiar clinks and clanks you'd expect. The music rounds out the package thanks to a score that's being composed by R&C veteran David Bergeaud, who did the music on the console games.
Based on what we've seen so far, Ratchet and Clank's PSP adventure is looking like it's going to live up to the high standards set by its console predecessors. The gameplay is being brought over pretty much intact from what we've seen, and the controls have been adapted to feel comfortable on the PSP. The visuals are extremely close to the early PS2 games, and they already feature some of the eye candy we've come to expect in the game. Better still is the game's story, which looks as though it's going to have the light touch that worked so well in the duo's early adventures. Though we weren't able to try it, the game is slated to take advantage of the PSP's Wi-Fi functionality with multiplayer modes as well. Given how promising everything looks right now and how much time High Impact Games has to craft Ratchet and Clank PSP, we're hopeful that the game will be a tight little platformer when it finally hits. Ratchet and Clank PSP (working title) is currently slated to hit early next year for the PSP. Look for more on the game at this year's E3.
By JJBdude 48 PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
(8 Comments)
"Gamespy says: 'If you're looking for a light-hearted action game with some serious teeth, look no further.' "
Ratchet & Clank fans rejoice! Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal is ranked lucky #13 on Gamespy's "Best of PS2" list, which chronicles the top 25 all-time best PS2 games.
We consider this to be quite an accomplishment, especially when you consider there are nearly 1,250 PS2 titles to choose from in North America. Being ranked among the top 1% ain't a bad place to be.
At Insomniac, we are very honored, and humbled to be included on this prestigious list, and with such great company.
As for our REAL heroes...we will send word to Clank via his publicist, since he continues to shoot "Secret Agent Clank" holovids at an undisclosed location in the Solana Galaxy. Ratchet is "unreachable" at the moment; he's on a well-deserved getaway at a private Maktar Resort villa. (Don't worry, we'll send him a complimentary fruit basket upon his return.)
When the CEO of Insomniac, Ted Price took the stage at the GDC event held yesterday to talk about up-coming games for the PS3, no-one could have imagined what games they would unveil.
At the closing his portion of his presentation, Price showed a clip of a game, previously unknown - the next game in the Ratchet and Clank series.
After panning across a city skyline that resembled an eco-friendly version of The Fifth Element's futuristic metropolis, the camera angle followed several vehicles through packed lanes of flying cars and buses. Then, across the frame, a blimp coasted by with a giant billboard on its side bearing the words "Ratchet & Clank." ~Gamespot
"As a result of a special opportunity offered to founder and CEO Ted Price, Insomniac Games was able to start the New Year off right by donating $10,000 to the Child's Play charity. Child's Play accepts toys, videogames and money to help sick children in various hospitals throughout the U.S. and Canada (see related link).
The opportunity arose when Ted was asked to participate in a program called "MathMovesU" (see related link), which teaches kids about the fun and practical applications that math serves in the "real world." Ted is joined by celebrities like Tony Hawk, Dave Mirra and Mia Hamm, among others. Raytheon, the company sponsoring MathMovesU, offered Ted a $10,000 participation reward for his efforts.
Ted opted to donate that money to charity, and Insomniac voted as a company to support Child's Play. It was incredbily gratifying to hear how excited Child's Play was when they learned of our decision. We're very happy we could make a positive difference."
We bet (or at least hope!) that some of you are approaching the holiday season hearing your friends or family members talk about Ratchet & Clank. If you're not exactly sure what in the world a Deadlock collar is or how enemies can be zapped into barnyard animals, well, this is the place for you. GameFam, in the words of site founder and adjunct professor Dan Matkowsky, is "your humble sherpa in your quest to find fun, safe video games for your young kids." What's a better, more timely pursuit than that, in the age where everyone is so concerned about violence in videogames. The link here is for a review of the Ratchet & Clank series, and why the blogger thinks our games are appropriate for your younger kids despite the ESRB's "T" rating.
"Ratchet: Deadlocked places ahead of Madden '06 on consumer rankings"
"The Today Show," NBC's popular national morning news program, today broadcast its annual ToyTest 2005 list and Ratchet: Deadlocked was very proud to be included on it. This list ranks the top toys and videogames heading into the holiday season. Ratchet: Deadlocked was fortunate enough to be named to the Top 15 list, even placing ahead of Madden NFL '06. To compile the list, more than 11,000 people played and ranked games from Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo earlier this summer in Seattle, Washington. Insomniac Games was truly honored that consumers ranked Ratchet: Deadlocked so high. It's especially meaningful because the people who know videogames the best -- gamers -- were the ones who made their voices heard.
"We've raised nearly $25,000 in just over one week"
Everyone at Insomniac Games was stunned and moved by the horrific events resulting from Hurricane Katrina. They wanted to do their part to assist with the American Red Cross' relief efforts, so Insomniac instituted a dollar-for-dollar company matching program for employee monetary contributions. In a little more than one week, Insomniac Games is proud to have raised nearly $25,000 in donations, and are looking to further increase that amount. Their thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost so much, and they hope their efforts can help somehow boost the recovery process.
If you'd like to donate to the American Red Cross' Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, you can visit this website: redcross
By dragonclawz PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
"Insomniac gets the love for being America's Third Best Small Company to Work For"
On July 4, 2005, KABC-TV Los Angeles (Channel 7) aired a feature story on Insomniac Games and how they were named the Third Best Small Company to work for in America.
Here's a link to the story in Windows Media Format. Enjoy!
By dragonclawz PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
If you thought that you couldn't got more information on Ratchet and Clank, then think again! After being in the works for a good part of 6 months, it is now finally ready to show the world.
So check out the graphics and look around the sections to enhance your Ratchet & Clank knowledge! If you have any suggestions and want to voice your opinions on how this portal could be improved then please feel free to use the page suggestion links at the end of every page.
Vote in our regularly updated poll, and join the Ratchet and Clank community on Neoseeker, but most of all, enjoy your time viewing this Portal!
By JJBdude 48 PLATFORMS
Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal [PS2] Ratchet & Clank [PS2] Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando [PS2] Ratchet: Deadlocked [PS2]
(197 Comments)
If you are a fan of the series (or are simply interested in the game), you know you've been waiting for it for some time now. Well the time is now, as in the recent Podcast for Insomniac, the release date for the game has finally been revealed. The game will be releasing in the US, and Europe on 23rd October 2007.
