This month I have discovered a fundamental of game production. Namely, not everyone can 'do' an all-nighter. Seeing Phil slumped in his chair, pale-faced and emitting what can only be described as the world's longest fart (47 minutes) was something I wasn't ready for- especially at 4 o'clock in the morning. Hardened industry programmers seem to have no problem fulfilling life's bodily functions but for the rest of us? Well, the puddle around the toilet suggested that our aim was the first thing to go. The second? Our bowels seemed to trudge out of the room about an hour later. So we worked through the night (and the smell), more than once. As a result, the game has progressed significantly and the local shop has seen Red Bull sales shoot through the roof. And as a reward for our efforts we were lavished with free beer and food. No one seemed very bothered by the food.

The Scratch Cats have been in training, preparing to be shot to stardom. Muffy and Pearl have just got their outfits back from the dry cleaners. Manx and Bob Cat have been working out at the gym. Smokey has been cleaning under the rim and Washington and Jefferson are putting the final touches to their nefarious scheme for world domination. Oh, and Hai Jinx has spent his time touring the orient and still hasn't managed to find his true identity. His search continues. . .

      

Thankfully all their hard work has paid off as the multiplayer game is becoming brilliant fun, prompting a recent issue of a PlayStation magazine to comment- "Rat Attack looks set to become one of the greatest multiplayer games of all time". All the multiplayer action takes place on one screen, there's no need for split-screen action here. Players race to trap all of their rats first whilst sadistic players are given more than enough opportunity to screw over their opponents. The sheer volume of foul language eschewing from the mouths of Rat Attack competitors is a sure fire sign that the multiplayer game is a winner.

Now where's that multi tap…

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