We are continuing to raise the bar for the videogame industry with Ratchet: Deadlocked," said Grady Hunt, senior producer, product development, Sony Computer Entertainment America. Ratchet: Deadlocked is proof that developers can continue delivering new installments for a popular franchise while providing players with a whole new gameplay experience. "With the addition of new features such as co-op throughout story mode, squad-based functionality and the expansion of the weapons system to allow players more choices, we are sure to deliver one of the most competitive and challenging games for PlayStation 2 this holiday season."

In addition to introducing new gameplay, Ratchet: Deadlocked also provides players with more variety than its predecessors, making it the most customizable game yet in the series. Gamers can take advantage of the new co-op functionality available throughout the game by choosing to play through story mode in single-player or in co-op with a buddy. Besides the 15 skins available in co-op play, players can also choose to play as Alpha Clank, the default skin for the second player. This allows gamers to play Ratchet and Clank in co-op mode. In addition, all single-player levels will also be
available for multiplayer use.

Ratchet: Deadlocked also features non-linear gameplay, allowing players greater freedom in how they choose their missions. In addition, squad-based gameplay enables players to demolish the competition by commandeering their allied combat bots through critical and strategic battles. Each allied bot will have their own distinct personality, and a customization feature allows players to change body parts and upgrade bot weapons. A new weapons modification system provides players the ability to choose the way their weapon powers up -- both numerically and functionally -- and provides players with virtually limitless mod combinations.

In Ratchet: Deadlocked, Ratchet and Clank are captured and forced to compete on an underground reality combat sport show. The show, which features abducted heroes fighting for their lives against a gruesome gang of deadly Exterminators, is run by a deranged media mogul named Gleeman Vox, who intends to use Ratchet as his next contestant.

Vox soon realizes Ratchet is the most promising contestant the show has ever seen. Vox subjects Ratchet to a series of deadly battles, much to the delight of the show's enormous audience. To keep himself and his friends alive, Ratchet has no choice but to continue participating and drive up the show's ratings with spectacular victories -- at least until he and Clank can figure out a way to break free from Vox's control, the explosive Deadlock collars fastened to their necks, and bring the Vox Network crashing down. Players can pilot four new and destructive vehicles -- the Hovership, Puma, Landstalker and Hoverbike. In multi-player and co-op modes, gamers must work together to plan out the multiple attack types that each vehicle enables. Players can operate their own Hoverbikes and drive them simultaneously to create a more thrilling and destructive atmosphere.

"We really wanted to do something new and fresh that would set Ratchet: Deadlocked apart from the previous games in the Ratchet & Clank series," said Brian Hastings, Chief Creative Officer, Insomniac Games. "As a team, we were looking for both a creative challenge and an opportunity to expand upon the Ratchet universe, and we believe we've delivered that to gamers with Ratchet: Deadlocked."

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