James Ratcliff-Senior Author

James Ratcliff

Senior Author

Contributor Since October, 2022
Qualifications Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, Texas A&M University-San Antonio
Expertise
Final Fantasy 14, Pokemon, World of Warcraft
  • 1497
    articles
  • 1451
    News
  • 37
    Features
  • 2
    Guides
  • 6
    Deals
GameRant logo Profile
https://bsky.app/profile/thejratcliff.bsky.social

About James Ratcliff

James Ratcliff joined Game Rant in 2022 as a Gaming News Writer. In 2023, James was offered a chance to become an occasional feature writer for different games and then a Senior Author in 2025. He is a third-generation Texan who has written professionally for over a decade at local newspapers, addressing various topics for his readers. Since 2024, James has shifted his complete focus to covering gaming news.

Favorite Games

James enjoys playing Final Fantasy, Zelda, Pokémon, and Warcraft series games! He is an avid Final Fantasy 14 player, and his main character is a Viera. Currently, his favorite Jobs are Paladin, White Mage, Viper, and Machinist. James plays on the Aether data center, and is willing to help newcomers!

Industry Focus

Before his time at Game Rant, James wrote for The Karnes Countywide newspaper as a high school sports reporter. James covered state championship football teams for 14 years, with consistent readership in print and digital formats.

Today, James focuses mainly on Gaming News. However, he occasionally posts Features, Interviews, and Tier Lists. His favorite series to write about include Final Fantasy, Pokemon, Warcraft, and Zelda, as well as various indie titles like Vampire Survivors, Palworld, and Among Us. 

As a Senior Author, James has also covered topics that have drawn attention to the state of the gaming industry, such as the launch of Doom: The Dark Ages, the Switch 2's initial lineup, and interviews with the World of Warcraft development team during The War Within.

Favorite Console

At age 6, James was gifted a Sega Genesis that included Sonic the Hedgehog 2 as the pack-in game. Though James' first console was the Genesis, his favorite is the PS2! With titles such as Final Fantasy 10, Kingdom Hearts 2, and Okami, Sony's second console holds a special place in his collection.

some-doom-fans-cancelling-dark-age-pre-orders-game-rant

Some Doom Fans Are Canceling Their Dark Ages Pre-Orders

gamestop-issues-warning-ultimatum-to-pokemon-tcg-scalpers-ban-risk-if-they-bring-in-a-scale-to-weigh-card-packs-for-scalping-purposes-lifetime-ban-tweet-went-viral

GameStop Issues Warning to Pokemon TCG Scalpers

final-fantasy-14-bringing-back-the-feast-cosmetic-rewards-in-7-4-update-and-onward-after-player-feedback

Final Fantasy 14 Will Bring Back Some Unobtainable Rewards

Latest

Xbox executive Matt Booty says that console exclusives from Microsoft will be decided on a case-by-case basis moving forward, though multiplayer titles will still be released on other platforms such as PS5.
Xbox Console Exclusivity Will Be Decided 'Case-By-Case'
Xbox

Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty states that not every first-party title released by Microsoft will be a console exclusive experience.

Xbox executive Matt Booty says that console exclusives from Microsoft will be decided on a case-by-case basis moving forward, though multiplayer titles will still be released on other platforms such as PS5.
Xbox Console Exclusivity Will Be Decided 'Case-By-Case'
Xbox

Xbox chief content officer Matt Booty states that not every first-party title released by Microsoft will be a console exclusive experience.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is bringing back Queen's Blood with a new protagonist, as director Naoki Hamaguchi says that Red XIII will take Cloud's place at the card table.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Brings Back Queen's Blood with Some Key Changes
Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation game director Naoki Hamaguchi reveals some details about the return of Queen's Blood, including some noticeable changes.

During the Xbox Games Showcase, id Software reveals DOOM: The Dark Ages | Revelations, launching Tuesday, July 7.
Doom: The Dark Ages DLC Finally Revealed
DOOM: The Dark Ages

Developer id Software pulls back the curtain on a new campaign for DOOM: The Dark Ages that players can soon enjoy on all supported platforms.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirms via a Denfamico interview that the infamous slap fight between Tifa and Scarlet will return as a minigame in the upcoming title.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation Confirms Its First Minigame
Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation game director Naoki Hamaguchi confirms that a highly-requested minigame will appear in the upcoming title.

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation introduces the FITS system, which is the game's own take on the Final Fantasy franchise's iconic Job system, granting party members access to new outfits and abilities.
Final Fantasy 7 Revelation is Making a Huge Change to the Combat System
Final Fantasy VII Revelation

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation confirms that a major change to the game's battle system is one that longtime Final Fantasy fans may enjoy.

ArenaNet unveils Guild Wars 3 for the first time and confirms the upcoming MMORPG will launch on PC and PS5.
It's Official: Guild Wars 3 Has Finally Been Confirmed
Video Games

Guild Wars 3, the next MMORPG from ArenaNet, has finally been revealed nearly 14 years after the launch of Guild Wars 2.

The Nintendo Switch Online version of Donkey Kong 64 has a widescreen setting that Switch users can activate to play the game without any side borders.
Donkey Kong 64 Settings Change Is a Game Changer on Switch
Donkey Kong 64

With the debut of Donkey Kong 64 on the N64 Nintendo Classics app, Switch users should take advantage of a settings option that may go unnoticed.

Super Mario is crossing over with Crocs to bring some collectible footwear featuring various Mario characters for fans to purchase this summer.
Super Mario x Crocs Collection Officially Revealed
Super Mario

Super Mario and Crocs are teaming up to release some collectible footwear this summer featuring several fan-favorite Mario characters.

Unknown Worlds Entertainment reveals its latest roadmap for Subnautica 2, which focuses on hotfixes and the introduction of new features like proximity chat in multiplayer, the return of the PRAWN Suit, and a new region where the Collector Leviathan calls home.
Subnautica 2 Update Roadmap Officially Revealed
Subnautica 2

Subnautica 2 developer Unknown Worlds shares a glimpse at some updates players can expect soon, ranging from hotfixes to new gameplay features.

2
Santa Monica Studio creative head Cory Barlog and God of War Laufey game director Ariel Lawrence ease fan concerns by confirming that Kratos will return in future God of War stories
God of War Laufey: Santa Monica Confirms More Kratos Stories Are Coming
God of War Laufey

God of War Laufey developer Santa Monica Studio reassures fans and states that Kratos still has some stories to tell in future releases.

Sony's PS5 gaming monitor launches August 2 for $350 with features like a DualSense Charging Hook, an IPS display, and refresh rates up to 240 hz.
Special New PS5 Monitor Officially Revealed
PS5

Sony unveils a new PS5 gaming monitor arriving later this year that has some features for PlayStation users to take advantage of.

marvels wolverine logan leaping at enemy claws out snowy-trees
Wolverine PS5 Game Will Let You Censor It
Marvel's Wolverine

Marvel's Wolverine developer Insomniac Games confirms the upcoming PS5 title will offer players an option to censor one noticeable aspect of it.

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim 15 free PC games throughout June, including Tomb Raider 4-6 Remastered and XCOM: Chimera Squad.
Prime Gaming Reveals 15 Free Games for June 2026
Video Games

Amazon Prime subscribers can claim 15 free PC games throughout June via Amazon Luna, with some of those titles now available.

2
Final Fantasy 14's Patch 7.51 is now live, bringing with it new content such as Dancing Mad (Ultimate) for players to enjoy.
Final Fantasy 14 Reveals Update 7.51 Patch Notes
Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy 14��s Patch 7.51 update is now live on all platforms, bringing some highly anticipated content for players to go through.

ASUS and Microsoft reveal the ROG Xbox Ally X20 handheld system, an OLED model that includes a bigger screen than the current ROG Xbox Ally lineup.
ROG Xbox Ally Adds New OLED Handheld Model
ROG Xbox Ally

Asus and Microsoft unveil a new OLED version of the popular ROG Xbox Ally handheld lineup, which includes an impressive screen and other features.

The ESRB has rated Minecraft for Switch 2 E10+ for Everyone 10+ for fantasy violence and in-game purchases, meaning a port announcement is likely imminent.
Minecraft Is Natively Launching On Another Platform Soon
Minecraft

Minecraft may be arriving on another platform soon, as new evidence has been discovered ahead of a busy month of game announcements.

1
The Steam Deck OLED is back in stock, but the prices have jumped by up to $300 due to the economy amid the ongoing DRAM shortage crisis.
It's Official: The Steam Deck Just Got More Expensive
Steam Deck

Gamers looking to get a new Steam Deck will have to pay a steeper price than before, as Valve reveals new prices for its popular handheld device.

Ubisoft reveals a new look at the shipboarding mechanic of Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced, including a new rope-swinging animation and more fluid combat options
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced Shows Off Improved Shipboarding Gameplay
Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced

Ubisoft gives players a glimpse of the improvements and changes made to boarding enemy ships in Assassin's Creed Black Flag Resynced.

A Pokemon trainer shares how long it can take in minutes before trainers in each mainline game obtain their first starter Pokemon, with Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee taking the least time and Legends: Z-A taking the most.
Pokemon Player Shares Crazy Stat About How Slow Some Games Are
Pokemon

A Pokemon trainer assembles a chart that shows how slow a start each mainline game can have and shares their notes on social media.

1 2 3 4 5