Loved
Good Old Gameplay: As essentially an extension of Tools of Destruction, Quest for Booty retains the same solid gameplay we've come to expect from the series, easy and intuitive from the get-go.

New Mechanics: The new tether ability of Ratchet's Omniwrench adds a fun new gameplay element to the mix, and the ability to pick things up and hurl them with the tool makes for some rather entertaining platforming puzzles.

Super Fuzzy Graphics: Quest for Booty uses the same graphics engine as Tools of Destruction, which means it is also one of the best looking games on the system, with graphics approaching CGI cartoon quality.

The Big Reveal: I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't already heard. I'll just say that the revelation at the end of the game regarding Ratchet's whereabouts may have elicited a tiny, girlish squeal. Don't go looking it up on the internet, just find out for yourself first hand.

Hated
A Little Short For A Lombax: Four hours just doesn't feel like enough time to spend in the Ratchet & Clank universe. I hate to say it, but I almost wish they'd just make me wait for the next game. I know the game is only $15, but for $15 I could go pick up a copy of one of the earlier, longer adventures and replay that instead.

Lack Of Variety: You won't find any side games in Quest for Booty. Just standard R&C gameplay with a few new mechanics thrown in and countless pirates to kill. There are a few monsters to kill and some entertaining bosses, but for the most part it's prates, pirates, and more pirates.

A good game should leave you wanting more, but it also needs to give you a sense of fulfillment to counterbalance that want. While I thoroughly enjoyed the four hours I spent playing Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, I feel like all I accomplished was trading one cliffhanger ending for another cliffhanger ending. Instead of being its own game, it feels more like a really long teaser trailer for the next title in the series.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty is an enjoyable but far-too-brief look at what's next in one of gaming's greatest platform franchises.

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, developed by Insomniac, published by Sony Computer Entertainment and released Aug. 21 on the PlayStation Network. Retails for $15.00. Played through entire game on normal difficulty.

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Ratchet & Clank Continue the Quest in Fall 2009 [1Up]

Quest for Booty will take about four hours to play through, we're told, and doesn't require that you own the retail game Ratchet & Clank Future, although it does continue the storyline.

The game will include new wrench mechanics, light and dark illumination and pirate-themed puzzles. The game will also include four locations: Planet Merdegraw: Pirate Fleet, Hoolefar Island, Morrow Caverns and Darkwater Cove and a bunch of pirate enemies including Skull Walkers, Hot Heads, Giant Vipers (Pythors) and Undead Robotic Pirates.

I'm not sure what to make of this stand-alone download for $15, but it's an interesting way to release a smallish game and I kind of like the idea that they're not forcing gamers to go buy the original title to play it.

In the e-mail forwarded to Kotaku this afternoon, Booty emphasizes that Midway's Austin studio will soldier on, albeit with a much, much leaner staff, and continue to work on "other projects in development at the studio" as well as house its Central Outsourcing Group.

The full communication from Booty to employees can be found after the jump.

From: Booty, Matt
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2008 3:15 PM
Subject: Austin

Today we are canceling the Career Criminal project in our Austin studio and there will be a reduction in headcount of about 80 people.

First and foremost, I want to emphasize that we are not closing the Austin studio and that the studio will continue to be an important part of our product development organization, will continue working on new game titles, and will continue to be the home of our Central Outsourcing Group.

The Career Criminal title was a large, ambitious, open-world project. Midway management recognizes that ambitious games need extensive resources and can require lengthy development cycles with much iteration. We are willing to invest in the long run and we need to continue developing new intellectual properties. But all of our projects have to demonstrate a likelihood of success and profitability. The resource needs, feature set, schedule and financial profile for the Career Criminal project were not converging towards a reasonable chance of success.

I know that the Austin studio has had its share of challenges and upsets over the last year, but on the whole, the studio has shown dedication and perseverance and we are going to get behind the talent and leadership and move forward.

As a company, we remain committed to developing the core technologies needed for large open-world games. We will also continue to make intelligent decisions about which tech is best suited for each individual project.

We should avoid the temptation to explain away difficult issues by declaring our tech unsuited or unfit for open world games. Without question, open world games are challenging to make, and we have a lot of obstacles to get past, but I have total confidence in our teams to meet the challenge. The Wheelman project gets increasingly more polished and fun as they approach beta, and the team has done a great job with the streaming technology and open-world toolsets needed to make a compelling free-roaming action driving game. The team working on This is Vegas is also working through the thorny issues involved with a truly next-gen open world game. The release of TNA iMPACT! Wrestling next month and the release of Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe later this fall will prove that our teams have done a great job of taking a solid code base, building on it and streamlining it, and making it meet the needs of a diverse range of titles, from fighting games to driving games.

The Austin studio is important to us in a growing and competitive game development location. Although we are canceling a major title, the other projects in development at the studio will continue, and we will continue to invest in new teams and new people going forward. Our Central Outsourcing Group — which has become an outstanding resource for all of our development teams across the company — will also remain active in the Austin studio.

We are invested in developing frontline, competitive games, and we are committed to supporting our teams and studios. Part of that commitment is a continual and honest process of evaluation and making sure that our resources are going to projects that set us up for success. We will continue to evaluate all of our projects in this same manner.

This was a difficult decision, but it is the right thing to do for the health and future of the company. If you have any questions, please talk to your team lead, studio head or manager, or feel free to email me.

- Matt

It’s a wonder how Insomniac finds the time to make Resistance 2 and sprinkle on a little Ratchet and Clank in the same year. But they did, and boy you really have to hand it to them. Sure Quest for Booty is a short game, around 4 to 5 hours, but it still looks as good as any other game out there. It uses the same engine as Tools of Destruction, which Insomniac knows like the back of their hand, and that allowed the team to add some new lighting and environmental effects for new areas of the game.

Something I didn’t really love about the later Ratchet titles was the focus on weapons. I like more platform-y games. So I was excited to find out there is less emphasis on weapons this time and more placed on platforming and puzzle solving. Ratchet doesn’t even start with a weapon; you have to wack stuff with your wrench early on until you find one.

The level I saw didn’t showcase it, but the theme of the game is about pirates and swashbuckling, so that’s pretty exciting. I mean, pirates are awesome, right?

The gameplay itself is straight-up Ratchet, though. If you know the series, you’ll feel right at home. I was told Insomniac wanted to release this to get people to try Ratchet who didn’t before and who are new to the series. How that translates into the overall difficulty of the game remains to be seen.

Also, there are no trophies in this game, at the time of launch anyway. There’s nothing stopping them from adding them in down the road, however. No saved data info from Tools of Destruction will carry over into Quest for Booty, either. They wanted to make this a completely separate experience.

One little hint was dropped to me about the ending. I had asked if the storyline for Quest for Booty would carry over into the next Ratchet game. I was told you’re going to have to beat the game and find out and that there may be something interesting. Don’t take that as any kind of confirmation, though.

Set Course for Booty this August [PlayStation Blog]

Ratchet Booty coming to Blu-ray [Eurogamer]

Plunder Gets Some Booty! [Capcom]

Also making a rated appearance at ESRB.org is Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, the PlayStation 3 game that can't seem to keep its existence a secret. Surely, the title must be announced at E3 next week.

Finally, in other exciting news, Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium has been rated for a Wii release, meaning its Virtual Console appearance could be just months to a year away.

If you can cast your minds alllll the way back to March, you'll remember a leaked SCEE release schedule alerted us to the existence of a new Ratchet & Clank game, Ratchet: Quest for Booty, which would most likely be made available on the PlayStation Network. The game - still yet to be announced by Sony, mind - is now a step closer to release after being rated by the USK, Germany's ratings and classification board. Now that we know the Germans see it as a game fit for twelve year-olds, all we need to know is...well, everything else, really.

Booty found, another Ratchet game for the PS3 [Siliconera]

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our game teams and talented associates as we roll out our 2008 releases," said Matt Booty. "Our plans include significant front-line releases, ambitious new intellectual properties, reinvigorated franchises with well-established fan bases, and new offerings in the casual games space."

Matt Booty Named Interim CEO of Midway

CHICAGO—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Midway Games Inc. (NYSE:MWY) today announced that Matthew V. Booty has been named Interim Chief Executive Officer and President, and that the company's Board of Directors has commenced a search for a new Chief Executive Officer and President.

"Dynamic new leadership is needed to bring Midway to its full potential," said Shari Redstone, Chair of the Board. "I believe that Midway has the resources and creative capability to once again be competitive with the best in the videogame business. The Board is confident that a new CEO will be selected who can fully utilize the opportunities presented by this next-generation console cycle to renew Midway's position as a major player in the videogame industry."

Sumner M. Redstone, Chairman of the Board and CEO of National Amusements, Inc., the controlling shareholder of Midway, said, "I look forward to helping Midway's Board choose an outstanding new CEO and I am pleased that we already have some highly qualified candidates in mind. Our new leader must have the proven capabilities and track record to lead Midway and to reclaim its place in the forefront of the fast growing videogame industry."

"I am excited to have the opportunity to lead our game teams and talented associates as we roll out our 2008 releases," said Matt Booty. "Our plans include significant front-line releases, ambitious new intellectual properties, reinvigorated franchises with well-established fan bases, and new offerings in the casual games space."

Mr. Booty has served Midway in progressively more responsible positions since 1991, most recently as Senior Vice President - Worldwide Studios. He succeeds David F. Zucker, who is leaving the company.

ARRR MATEYS! PIRATES OF THE BURNING SEATM RETAIL PRE-ORDER TO START OCTOBER 23

WHAT: Pirates of the Burning Sea, the MMORPG featuring high seas action and adventure in a bold world of pirates and plunder, is scheduled to be available for pre-order starting Tuesday, October 23rd at participating retail locations.

PRE ORDER FEATURES:

Players who pre-order the game will receive the following:
• An invitation to the "Pre-Boarding Party" allowing them access to the live game up to 15 days prior to launch, and the ability to keep their characters, skills and equipment after launch with purchase of game and paid subscription (characters will have a level cap of 20 during the pre-boarding party)
• Captain's Best Friend - a blue and yellow parrot
• Mighty Blades - Swedish Rapier, Old World Steel or Musketeer's Matching Blades (depending upon which fighting style is selected)
• Original Game Soundtrack CD - 60 minutes of pirate themed music (comes in pre-order box)

WHEN: Pirates of the Burning Sea is scheduled to be available for preorder in North America on Tuesday, October 23, 2007. A European pre-order date has not been set at this time.

For more pre-order information on Pirates of the Burning Sea log onto www.piratesoftheburningsea.com

Specifics on pricing and release date were not specified.

A trailer for the DVD release has been added to YouTube and the official Video Games Live web site. Michael McWhertor

Video Games Live in Rio! - DVD & CD Announcement Trailer [YouTube]

VIDEO GAMES LIVE ANNOUNCES DVD & CD RELEASE

Online Trailer Now Available!

Recorded From Award-Winning Sold Out Performances in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Los Angeles, CA - Video Games Live, The #1 video game touring concert in the world, announced today that they will be releasing a DVD & CD from their award-winning sold out performances recorded in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last year.

Online DVD & CD trailer now available:

Hi-res: http://www.videogameslive.com/video/vglbrazil.wmv

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIMFYoQkHvo

"Since we started Video Games Live over 5 years ago we've always received at least a few e-mails and letters each week asking if and when a DVD and CD would be available," said Tommy Tallarico, co-creator of Video Games Live and longtime video game composer. "We're finally proud to announce the first ever live game concert DVD and CD available in the U.S. and throughout the world." Co-creator Jack Wall added "The shows in Brazil were absolutely amazing. The crowds were unbelievable and the energy level was second to none."

Recently, Video Games Live was the recipient of the "Special Breakthrough Achievement Award" at the 3rd Annual Gameworld Awards for their performances in Brazil last November.

The Brazilian shows were sponsored by the biggest corporations in all of Latin America including oil company Petrobras as well as UOL, the principle Latin American internet online provider. Intel, the world's largest semiconductor company were the title sponsors along with media partner Futuro Publishing which helped to make the initial groundbreaking tour a national success. Adding to the already powerful line-up of supporters were the Brazilian Government and the Ministry of Culture, whose commitment to the Video Games Live project speaks volumes for VGL's relevance, significance and future presence in Brazil.

The highly prestigious Petrobras Sinfônica Orchestra performed in some of the highest regarded venues in all of Brazil.

Video Games Live is currently planning its return tour to Brazil for September, 2007. Exact DVD & CD release dates, pricing and ordering to be announced in August.

If you're a Nintendo DS owner and you're going to be buying the new Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End game and you're just going to happen to be in Disneyland soon, you could find some hidden treasure. According to the OC Register, there will be special Xs "hidden near the "Pirates"-related attractions" where you can download exclusive additional content for the DS version of the game.

I'm a little confused by "Pirates related attractions." As far as I know there is only one Pirates of the Caribbean ride located near the center of the park. If they've opened up new ones, it's news to me. It's an interesting offer, but at the price of Disney tickets, that's going to be some expensive ass downloadable content. It's probably cheaper just to buy a copy of the game and a PS3 and stay at home. Flynn De Marco

Want downloadable gifts for Pirates of the Caribbean: AWE? Go to Disney [Go Nintendo]

Apparently, the link that was sent to me was not meant to go public (which the person who sent it should have known!) and we've been asked to take the link down so it doesn't continue crashing their server. Thankfully, Craig over at ScrewAttack was kind enough to get me a YouTubed version of it so we could post it here and all can share in the wonder and glory that is "Wii Sex."

NSFW!!

UPDATE: We have removed the link to this video at the request of it's maker since it was crashing their server. You can now watch it here.

I've seen a lot of Wii videos in the past few months, but this one really takes the cake. I was a little reticent to watch it at first since the email announcing it had the subject line of "I'm so sorry." But, when I saw that it was sent from none other than Mario Opera creator and GameJew about town, Jonathan Mann, I decided to give it a shot.

The video was not made by Mann, however, and according to his email came from his keyboardist's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who got it from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night.

This is absolutely NSFW and while I was skeptical at first, I got a good larf out of it in the end. It's as wrong as it is hilarious. I won't give anything away, but the final shot and sound effect is worth the price of admission. Flynn De Marco