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
  • 1638
    articles
  • 1593
    News
  • 37
    Features
  • 2
    Guides
  • 6
    Deals
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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

A mock-up image of a Nintendo Switch 2 featuring Stellar Blade on the screen.
Stellar Blade Confirms Switch 2 Performance Details
Stellar Blade

Stellar Blade developer Shift Up shares additional details of how the game's upcoming Switch 2 port will run on Nintendo's current-gen console.

An image of Brian Heder from Grand Theft Auto 6 talking to two individuals while holding a pistol in his right hand.
GTA 6 Launch Predicted to Cost US Economy $1 Billion
Grand Theft Auto 6

The November 19 launch of Grand Theft Auto 6 could be a costly endeavor for the US economy, with an estimated $1 billion price tag attached to it.

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An image from The Witcher 3's Blood and Wine expansion, as Geralt of Rivia and a commander from Toussaint turn their gazes on an unseen subject.
The Witcher 3 Price Suddenly Increased
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt Red quietly bumps up the price of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt ahead of the upcoming remaster's launch in late September.

An image from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered depicting Geralt, Ciri, Yennefer, and Triss as the Wild Hunt lurks in the background.
New Official Witcher 3 Free Release Confirmed for September 29
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

CD Projekt Red caps off Gamescom Opening Night Live by surprising fans with a free release for The Witcher 3 coming near the end of September.

An image of a SNES console and controller superimposed on a blurred background from Terranigma.
Square Enix SNES RPG Coming to The US For The First Time
SNES

A long-forgotten SNES action RPG that was never released in the US during the 90s will soon get the chance to shine in the spotlight.

2
An image from Final Fantasy 14: Dawntrail depicting two Pelupelu NPCs and two alpacas running away from an angry griffin.
Final Fantasy 14 Players Are Running Out Of Time To Get 2 Exclusive Mounts
Final Fantasy XIV

Final Fantasy 14 players have just a few days to obtain two exclusive mounts before each one becomes unavailable for the foreseeable future.

An image from Control Resonant depicting two characters reaching toward the camera with their hands.
Control Resonant Has Gone Gold
Control Resonant

Remedy Entertainment confirms that Control Resonant has wrapped up development a month ahead of it's anticipated September launch worldwide.

An image from Marvel's Wolverine depicting the titular character leaping into a fight with his claws extended outward.
Marvel's Wolverine Has Gone Gold
Marvel's Wolverine

Insomniac Games confirms that the highly-anticipated Marvel's Wolverine is ready to go just a few weeks ahead of the game's September launch.

An image from The Blood of Dawnwalker depicting a group of angry vampries.
The Blood of Dawnwalker Won't Hit 60 FPS on PS5 or Xbox Series X
The Blood of Dawnwalker

The Blood of Dawnwalker reveals new gameplay footage that confirms the upcoming action RPG will not play at 60 FPS on PlayStation or Xbox consoles.

1
Artwork of Jason and Lucia from Grand Theft Auto 6 that shows them donning robbery masks.
Anonymous Comments on GTA 6 Leaks
Grand Theft Auto 6

The Anonymous social media account issues a statement on the ongoing Grand Theft Auto 6 leaks that have made the rounds.

A screenshot of Raul Bautista from Grand Theft Auto 6 talking on his mobile phone with an accomplice in the background on a computer.
Take-Two Stock Takes Big Hit After GTA 6 Leaks
Grand Theft Auto 6

Stocks of Rockstar Games' parent company Take-Two take a nosedive following several gameplay footage leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6.

2
An image of the unnamed main protagonist from Black Myth: Zhong Kui standing in front of a wilderness background.
Black Myth: Zhong Kui Releases First Official Gameplay Trailer
Black Myth: Zhong Kui

Developer Game Science releases the first official glimpses of gameplay from its upcoming action title Black Myth: Zhong Kui.

A Steam Frame VR headset imposed in front of a brown background with the Steam logo on it.
Steam Frame Unboxing Videos Leaked
Steam

Although the Steam Frame is not yet available for purchase, some new videos detailing the devices unboxing and setup leak online.

An image from Super Mario 64 showing Mario standing just outside the entrance to Princess Peach's Castle.
You Can Now Play Super Mario 64 on YouTube
Super Mario 64

A YouTube content creator transforms the timeless platformer Super Mario 64 into an immersive video experience for users to play with.

A Big Daddy from Bioshock standing near a wall with strange silhouettes to their right.
BioShock Fan Makes Nostalgic Discovery at Unexpected Place
BioShock

A gamer states that they made an unexpected nostalgic BioShock discovery and purchased the find in one of the least likely places.

Jason and Lucia from Grand Theft Auto 6 sitting on the front of a car and in front of a camouflage background with the US Army star in gold.
US Army Giving Soldiers Time Off to Play GTA 6, But There's a Catch
Grand Theft Auto 6

A US Army flyer circulating on social media claims that solders can take some time of to play Grand Theft Auto 6 after fulfilling an incentive.

An image from the Bubbly Basin DLC for Pokemon Pokopia, showing Ditto alongside a group of Water Pokemon.
Pokemon Pokopia Fans Should Circle August 21 on Their Calendars
Pokemon Pokopia

The Pokemon Company states that Pokemon Pokopia players should pay particular attention to some news coming on the third Friday of August.

An image of Grace Ashcroft from Resident Evil Requiem superimposed on a blurred wallpaper image from Tides of Annihilation.
Resident Evil Requiem Actor Officially Takes Over Jennifer English in Upcoming Action Adventure Game
Tides of Annihilation

The actor for Resident Evil Requiem's Grace Ashcroft will step into a new role that Jennifer English previously stepped away form.

An image of Lilith from Diablo 4 appearing to jump out of the screen of a Nintendo Switch 2 console.
Rumor: New Leak Pins Down Diablo 4's Switch 2 Launch Plans
Diablo 4

A gaming industry insider reveals more details about Blizzard's plans to potentially bring the action RPG Diablo 4 to Nintendo Switch 2 soon.

An image of the Dragonborn from Skyrim superimposed in front of a snowy background alongside a LEGO painter minifigure.
LEGO Fan Shares Incredible Skyrim Dragonborn MOC
LEGO

A dedicated LEGO fan shares their latest attempt at crafting a custom MOC based on Skyrim's iconic Dragonborn player character.

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