Ratchet and Clank Swingshot rope animation, How? Need ideas...

I would like to reproduce the rope animation effect in Ratchet and Clank when he shoots the swingshot. The rope comes out in a snake like animation then goes straight when it connects. I was thinking a texture animation on a line renderer. Any other ideas? Could anyone help me create a crude texture animation atlas to test this idea?

Here is a youtube video with the effect.

I appreciate your suggestions.

 

I have made some progress using a texture with a line in the shape of a sine wave. I think with a little tweeking of this texture I should get the result I am looking for.

 

Cool emiller. Show a video when you get it worked out. I'd love to see it.
To me the effect you showed doesn't look like an animated texture but I could be wrong.
Knowing those insomniac guys they worked several months to create a one off spline based bone scale function or some such deal.