Kotaku: burnout paradise

Burnout Paradise To Introduce Planes

Luke Plunkett — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:00:00 MDT

Once was a time Burnout was all about the cars. Then they went and brought bikes into the mix, and everything changed. Criterion got a little...crazy. Started thinking less about the vehicles and more about the pure speed. That doesn't make it any less surprising to hear Criterion is thinking about moving beyond terrestrial vehicles altogether, though, and has announced that, after it's done with the Cagney update, it'll begin working on introducing planes into Burnout Paradise. Yeah, planes. No idea how that will work, but the prospect of crashing a plane into a car at high speed, then going into crash mode, is no doubt an appealing one to the game's core userbase.

[Criterion Games]

Burnout Paradise Getting PS3 Trophy Support (Someday)

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:40:45 MDT

The confirmed list of Trophy-ready PlayStation 3 games may not blow your hair back, but at least one more third-party title is pledging support for the 2.40 firmware feature — Burnout Paradise. Simon Phipps, designer at Criterion Games, writes on the PlayStation.blog that Trophies are coming, but not in the Codename: Cagney update.

Best part? "Trophies will be retroactive, so, if you’ve achieved something today, the day the update arrives (not Cagney, we want to emphasise) that will be reflected in your Trophies," Phipps writes in the posts comments. Nice!

Trophies, Timed Challenges for Burnout Paradise [PlayStation.blog - thanks, Tw3nty0ne!]

Burnout Paradise Cagney Update Dated

Mike Fahey — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:40:00 MDT

Criterion continues to roll out their giant content patches for Burnout Paradise. Hot on the heels of the Bogart patch, which mainly consisted of bug fixes and a few minor features, the company has announced the official release date for the more ambitious Cagney update. On July 10th at 9AM UK time, Burnout Paradise owners will gain access to three new Freeburn modes, over 70 new Freeburn challenges, two new vehicles, 3 new liveries, and the long-awaited ability to create custom soundtracks on your PlayStation 3. Hit the link below to see a full rundown of the changes coming with Cagney.

I finally bought the game this weekend ($40 at Walmart) and I must say I am not disappointed with my purchase. A whole lot of game for a rather nice price, and with August bringing the addition of motorcycles to the game it only gets better.

Criterion Games Announces Date for Cagney Software Update [The Criterion Games Blog]

Burnout Paradise 360 Bogart Resurfaces

Mike Fahey — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:00:00 MDT

Well that was certainly one hell of a long week. After Criterion recalled the Bogart patch for Burnout Paradise on the Xbox 360 due to the update causing frame rate issues with the game, the suggested somewhat wishfully that the fixed version would be available the following week. The process wound up taking a bit longer than expected after they submitted it to Microsoft on April 29th, but now it's finally online and working fine. Once again, Bogart is pretty much the patching and bug-fixing update that lays the foundation for the upcoming Cagney, Davis, and Eastwood content packs, which introduce new game modes, motorcycles, and a host of other nifty features to the game.

360 Bogart is online now! [Criterion]

Burnout Paradise Coming to PC

Brian Crecente — Fri, 09 May 2008 07:40:00 MDT

Burnout Paradise is coming to the PC, Electronic Arts announced today.

The game, the first ever in the franchise to come to the PC, is being "rebuilt specifically for the PC" and will include expanded multiplayer, enhanced online feature and new "community driven content."

Criterion will be holding a press conference on their website later today to talk more details about the upcoming game. Hit up the jump for the full release.

Criterion Games

EA’s Burnout Paradise Revs Its Engines on the PC
REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Criterion Games, a studio of Electronic Arts, (NASDAQ:ERTS) today announced that the award-winning driving game Burnout™ Paradise is being rebuilt specifically for the PC. Burnout Paradise will be the first Burnout title ever made for the PC, customized with expanded multiplayer, enhanced online features, and community driven content.

Originally released for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ videogame and entertainment system, Burnout Paradise has won over 55 awards worldwide. Burnout Paradise delivers an open-world environment built for intense speed, excitement and exploration and sets a new standard in the seamless transition from single-player offline to social online gameplay.

Burnout Paradise for the PC will combine all the open world racing, intense speed and action of the original game with new gameplay for the PC version.

Gamers can tune into a live webcast at http://criteriongames.com at 8:00 AM PST on Friday, May 9 for more details on this announcement. For more information about Burnout Paradise, please visit http://criteriongames.com or the EA press website at http://info.ea.com.

Burnout Paradise for the PC has not been rated by the ESRB or PEGI.

Burnout Paradise To Introduce Motorcycles, Night, General Bad Assness

Mark Wilson — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:20:00 MDT

Criterion has just announced a major addition to Burnout Paradise. Planned for their "Davis" update this August, the download will include motorcycles (a first for Burnout) along with "their own game modes, challenges and even some new locations tailored to fit their unique performance and handing characteristics." From that statement we're assuming that cars and bikes will not race side-by-side, but you can take it as you will.

In addition, the Davis update will bring night time driving to the game—adding a bit of realism to freely racing around public streets without getting constantly arrested and frisked. Here's the full Criterion announcement:

Criterion Games announces motorbikes in Burnout Paradise!

This is the biggest news in Burnout history!

For the first time, we'll let you loose in a Burnout game on motorbikes!
And because we're dedicated to bringing you game-changing new Burnout Paradise content all year, bikes will feature their own game modes, challenges and even some new locations tailored to fit their unique performance and handing characteristics.

The other big news relating to bikes is that we've introduced night-time to Burnout Paradise for the first time.

We wanted to clear the traffic out a little to give you the chance to learn how to ride in safety, and we've always wanted to cruise the streets of Paradise City with incredible night-time visuals.

We expect to ship bikes as part of our Davis software update, due for release sometime in August.

As always, we're bringing you the hot news from Criterion Games as it happens. Hit the site soon for more news and the first high-definition bike footage.

Criterion Games announces motorbikes in Burnout Paradise! [Criterion] Thanks tipsters!

Criterion Recalls 360 Burnout Bogart Update

Mike Fahey — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:20:00 MDT

Criterion Games is in the process of recalling the recently released Bogart update for the Xbox 360 version of Burnout Paradise, with all updated version due to be rolled back by this Friday. The recall is due to a issue in the patch that cause the frame rate of the game to suffer, noticeably stuttering at high speed, which really are the only speeds in Burnout you need to concern yourself with. The patch is due to be reissued next week, with all of the promised fixes in place. Meanwhile the Criterion blog continues to count down to the PlayStation 3 release of the Bogart patch, slated for release tomorrow. Kudos to Criterion for rolling things back rather than having players suffer through issues while waiting for a patch for the patch.

Bogart 360 latest news [Criterion Games Blog]

Custom Soundtracks For Burnout Paradise PS3

Mike Fahey — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:30:00 MDT

Criterion really wants to prove that they understand the desires of the Burnout Paradise community with their forthcoming Cagney update. Not only are they adding three new multiplayer modes and changing the way standard definition is rendered in order to deliver crisper graphics to those of us not blessed with HD, they've even gone as far as implementing custom soundtracks for the PlayStation 3 crowd. PS3 owners will be able to access the XMB custom soundtracks menu from with the EasyDrive menu in the game, allowing them to shuffle or repeat their tracks to their heart's content. If you haven't already, I would highly suggest bookmarking the Criterion Games blog. They're constantly updating it with fresh new information about what is shaping up to be the ultimate Burnout experience.

Criterion Games announces custom soundtracks for Burnout Paradise on PlayStation 3 [The Criterion Games Blog]

Cagney Brings New Burnout Paradise Multiplayer Modes

Mike Fahey — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:20:00 MDT

While Criterion is getting ready to unleash their Bogart Update for Burnout Paradise, they're already lining up new content for the dead movie star patch. The Cagney Update will see the introduction of three new FreeBurn multiplayer modes to the game: Online Stunt Run, Marked Man or Road Rage. Online Stunt Run sees up to 8 players simultaneously competing for the highest stunt score within 2 minutes, with eliminated players sticking around to screw with the survivors' combos. Road Rage features two teams, one that must race to a checkpoint and then the finish line, while the other tries to stop them, which sounds like an interesting recipe for strategic thinking. Finally Marked Man is pretty much tag, where the one marked gets points for survival and the other players get points for taking him down. All three new modes sound like a hell of a lot of fun...now I'm regretting not picking the game up. Might have to rectify that shortly.

Three new FreeBurn game modes unveiled for the Cagney Update!!! [The Criterion Games Blog]

Burnout Paradise Gets Massive, Trenchcoat-Wearing Update

Luke Plunkett — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:30:00 MDT

I like Burnout Paradise, but I'll admit, it's not without its problems. Its glitches. Its "characteristics", as a used car salesman would tell you. Hoping to rectify ~~some~~ tons of those in one fell swoop, Criterion have announced that on April 24, both the 360 and PS3 versions will receive the "Bogart" update, which promises to fix a range of issues from online bugs to sequencing hiccups, with some gameplay balance tossed onto the back seat between them.

Straight from Criterion, here's the stuff that's on offer:

The Top 10 problems reported by you have been fixed, these are:
* PS3 game can crash when a player is taken down and the player that has performed the Takedown leaves the game.
* The game indefinitely displays "Connecting to Paradise City Servers" if it's having problems communicating with the rebroadcast server.
* Disconnecting the controller before a race begins can mean that race timings can be manipulated with players who didn't cross the line first being awarded the win.
* Repeatedly joining and leaving a game with 8 players can cause the game to hang.
* Hammering the A (360) or X (PS3) after unlocking a car can cause the game to hang.
* East Crawford and Watt St achievements cannot be achieved if the player goes online and sets road rules before attempting them.
* Audio distortion when using 5.1 / DTS and looking back at the car.
* Enhanced 360 streaming performance stops instances where the game seems to pause for a second or so.
* Total time driven in player stats would stick at 145 hours.
* VoIP connection problems with 8 player games. This is now live on the Paradise City servers.

The update also adds the following game experience enhancements:

* We fixed Head-on Takedowns as these seemed generally unfair and unrealistic. Unfair low speed Takedowns have now been eradicated.
* Increase online race timer timeout so players have a greater chance of finishing the race.
* Fix drifting bug when drifting and boosting. There wasn't any real control on the brake so players would grind around the walls of the corners. Giving you all better control of the car.
* Stabbing the boost has too much of a jerky behaviour in the car handling, when in Stunt Run.
* Surround sound fix - Centre speaker was 4dB louder, ruining the mix. The speech has now been positioned correctly.
* Increase the # of search results returned for online games.
* Increase Picture Paradise timer so it doesn't kick in so quickly.
* Post event ticker commentary is not now displayed for disconnected players.
* Show player the number of Complete Challenges easily by listing X/50 in the Challenges menu.

Other high priority issues that have been fixed:

* Instances where Barrel rolls were not registering correctly in Stunt Run.
* Takedowns online were not counting towards the Total Takedowns.
* Some instances where Revenge Rivalries desync & don't get fixed until players are updated online.
* Some instance where the Host couldn't change the game access if the game was created through an invite.
* Online challenge issues where the challenge couldn't be completed if it was started at the exact time that a player left the game.
* Incorrect rivalry updates when European players played against English or Japanese players. Online connection issues.
* Rich presence on 360 didn't change correctly when there is a change in the game parameters.
* Instances where Friends were not being displayed on the mini map.
* Some online race start points face the players in the wrong direction.

[Criterion]

Burnout Paradise Sells A Million

Brian Ashcraft — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:00:18 MDT

EA's multi-platform racer Burnout Paradise has sold a cool million copies worldwide. The open world game's gotten solid reviews and offers up democratic DLC. So, there ya go! A million copies, seemingly well deserved and everything. Just like that.
Burnout Paradise Selling [Criterion via Xbox 360]

Wyclef Jean Makes Sweet Synergy Love To PlayStation, Burnout Brands

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 15:40:00 MDT

You know what's great? Cross promotion! It's something we don't dedicate enough blog time to. That's why I was thrilled to learn about Columbia Records recording artist Wyclef Jean teaming with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Electronic Arts for his latest video, "Fast Car." Not only does it feature a fantastic toe tapper of a number by the multi-platinum musician, but the video, directed and conceived by Wyclef—Clef, as I and Columbia Records Mark DiDia call him—but PlayStation 3 and PSP product placement.

The video is packed with footage from Burnout Paradise, which my man Clef says "helps us get the attention of youngsters." See, he thinks "Fast Car' is like life - the pace of life is moving so fast, where you can burn yourselves out at times." Burn. Out. Did you just have your mind blown too at how expertly this all fits together?

If you haven't yet, maybe you will when the high-def video is added to the PlayStation Store! Units will be shifted, my friends. Shifted like a "fast car" going from first to second as it burns up the charts! Or some metaphor that makes sense!

PLAYSTATION®3, PSP®(PLAYSTATION®PORTABLE), AND EA'S BURNOUT PARADISE STAR IN WYCLEF JEAN'S NEW MUSIC VIDEO, "FAST CAR"
Live Action and In-Game Footage from Burnout Paradise Provide Unique Visual Canvas for New Video, Which Will Be Available on PLAYSTATION®Network

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 25, 2008 - Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) systems along with the blockbuster hit game title, Burnout™ Paradise, from Criterion Games, an Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) studio, have been integrated into "Fast Car," the new music video from Grammy-winning Sony BMG artist Wyclef Jean. In this unique integration, Jean and the video's other characters utilize the PlayStation platforms to drive the video's storyline, as they interact in a surreal world brought to life with footage from Burnout Paradise. The video will be available for download on PLAYSTATION®Store beginning on March 27 for a limited time.

"As an artist, Wyclef Jean is a great match for the PlayStation brand, and SCEA is excited about working with him on this music video because it showcases our platforms in an organic way that's relevant to our audience," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PLAYSTATION®Network, SCEA. "We're also looking forward to giving our PLAYSTATION Network members the opportunity to download the video in high-definition, which expands the entertainment content offering on PLAYSTATION Store."

"EA has always been a pioneer in integrating our videogames into other forms of media," stated Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music for Electronic Arts. "Sony BMG has been a terrific partner in that process, and Wyclef Jean has always been an artist who is truly excited about videogames. The result is a very cool, creative collaboration that has produced a groundbreaking music video."

"To see Clef's idea come to life in this innovative marriage of technology and music is a real treat," said Mark DiDia of Columbia Records.

"Fast Car," which features Paul Simon as a guest vocalist, is the second single from Jean's latest hit album, "Carnival Vol. II: Memoirs of an Immigrant." The "Fast Car" video picks up where Jean left off in the video for the chart-topping "Sweetest Girl." The story starts with the multi-platinum artist receiving a message on his PSP system, pointing him to his next mission. From there, Jean accesses his PS3 system to enter the open world racing of Burnout Paradise, which serves as the video's visual backdrop. Burnout Paradise is built to provide the ultimate in freedom and discovery online and offline, where players are able to create their own personal driving experience. PLAYSTATION®Eye also makes a cameo appearance in the video.

"When you're on tour, you have plenty of time, and every artist I know spends time on a tour bus with two things: PlayStation® and the recording studio," Jean said. "The PlayStation brand and Burnout Paradise fit perfectly with my vision for the 'Fast Car' music video. 'Fast Car' is like life - the pace of life is moving so fast, where you can burn yourselves out at times. The concept was about taking a song with such meaning and combining it with technology, but still keeping the essence of what we're talking about and getting kids to listen to that message. A game like Burnout Paradise helps us get the attention of youngsters."

Wyclef Jean directed and wrote the concept for the "Fast Car" video with collaboration from Leopoldo Gout of Curious Films.

For a limited time beginning on March 27, PS3 owners will be able to download the video in high-definition from PLAYSTATION Store, and PSP owners will be able to download the video via a PC from http://store.playstation.com. In addition to offering the "Fast Car" video, PLAYSTATION Store will also have special behind-the-scenes videos featuring an interview with Jean available for PS3 owners to download.

Burnout Paradise is now available worldwide and has been rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. For more information about Burnout Paradise, please visit http://burnout.ea.com or the EA press website at http://info.ea.com.

For more information on Wyclef Jean and Columbia Records, visit www.wyclef.com
or www.columbiarecords.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game consoles, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, and theground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif., Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

New Burnout Paradise DLC Will Be Free

Mark Wilson — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:00:20 MDT

Not so long ago, Criterion promised that some of their DLC for Burnout Paradise would be free. It was good news, but who really knew if we'd get any of the decent stuff without paying for it? On the Criterion message boards, creative director Alex Ward revealed that a new map expansion including multiple islands of city expansion will be free for everyone.

So does this means that all new Burnout Paradise maps will come free so that all users can partake in the multiplayer? No, but it's a good sign that Criterion may focus their paid DLC on individual items like cars rather than collectively shared add-ons like maps. We'll see how this unfolds, but so far, so good.

GT Concept,s new livery OH YEH ITS SWEET [Criterion via Shacknews][image]

Zero Punctuation Burning Out

Mike Fahey — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:00:19 MDT

I don't know if Yahtzee is slowly losing his touch or if I'm just getting used to him, but I suppose even a mouthful of angry bees can get boring if you do it every week. This time around he takes on Burnout Paradise, which he describes as, "A game for cool people who like fast cars and don't have enough time to play games because of all the sex they have." That having been said, I've just ordered a dozen copies, just in case anyone takes him seriously.

Zero Punctuation: Burnout Paradise [The Escapist]

Burnout Paradise To Become More Paradisiacal. ...

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 18:40:40 MST

Burnout Paradise To Become More Paradisiacal. The gang at Criterion Games has announced that they're issuing a new patch for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation racer Burnout Paradise any day now, fixing a host of glitches and bringing the version number to a healthy 1.2. The full list of changes is available at the official Criterion Games site. Enjoy these lovely bugs before they're gone forever.

More Skate, Burnout, Mass Effect Coming From EA

Michael McWhertor — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:30:46 MST

From the Duh Files comes news that EA plans to ship "extensions" to its financially successfully Skate and Burnout series, by way of EA Games prez Frank Gibeau. He also says that a proper Mass Effect sequel is already in the works. What those extensions may be wasn't defined, GameSpot reports, but could easily mean proper sequels or handheld spin-offs. And while downloadable content most likely isn't out of the question, Skate producers have gone on record in the past saying the title wasn't built with DLC in mind.

Another Burnout wouldn't come as a shock to just about anyone, but it would appear that EA is not going to give up trying to unseat the current Madden of skateboarding, Tony Hawk. He told investors "these are the fights that EA knows how to win," which I'm sure has Activision execs losing control of their bowels in fear. You're welcome for the imagery.

New Burnout, Skate on the way [GameSpot]

Burnout Paradise DLC Won't Lock Out Cheapskates

Luke Plunkett — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 21:40:00 MST

Speaking with MTV, EA have taken the unusual step (at least for them) in assuring Burnout Paradise players that future DLC for the title won't split the online community between those who opt to buy the DLC and those who don't. Issuing a written statement, they explain:

It's our intention to extend the life of Burnout with additional DLC in the near future. As mentioned, we don't want to split the online community between those that have content and those that don't. Our intention is to offer both free and paid for DLC in a way that enables everyone to 'see' the content, even if they have not paid for it.

They wouldn't elaborate on what exactly that meant. Which means I'm just going to speculate that they'll open up new areas of the map for you to drive around, but unless you pay for the DLC, you won't be able to trigger any of the events contained within.
EA Says You'll Experience 'Burnout Paradise' DLC — Even if You Don't Buy it [MTV]

Week in Games: No More Heroes Edition

fdemarco — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:00:00 MST

We finally start getting some good titles this week with No More Heroes, Advance Wars 2, Pirates of the Burning Sea and Burnout Paradise My wallet is going to start emptying itself again. I can just feel it coming. What are you going to be picking up this week?

No More Heroes (WII)
Suda 51's surreal cel shaded adventures of Travis Touchdown.

Advance Wars: Days of Ruin (DS)
The follow up to the wildly popular Advance Wars hits with a new storyline and wi-fi.

Pirates of the Burning Sea (PC)
Arrrgh! Live the life of a pirate on land and sea in this new MMO.

Burnout Paradise (PS3, X360)
Drive, crash and burn!

Endless Ocean (WII)
Explore the mysterious world under the sea.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games (DS)
Pit Mario against Sonic on your DS.

One Piece: Unlimited Adventure (WII)
Search for booty with Capt. Monkey.

Iridium Runners (PS2)
It's a space race!

Rainbow Islands Evolution (PSP)
Bub and Bob are back again in a new old adventure again.

Criterion Responds To Burnout Paradise Criticism

Michael McWhertor — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 18:20:02 MST

Alex Ward and, by association, The Burnout Team have written a rather grumbly Christmas card to fans who have found one too many things to complain about in the demo version of Burnout Paradise. There are plenty of instances of Ward SHOUTING ACROSS THE INTERNET IN ALL CAPS in response to whining and plenty of defending the team's design decisions. Those decisions make Paradise a different experience from Burnout Revenge, but not, as Ward suggests, a clone of Test Drive Unlimited, to which the game is drawing comparisons.

Ward assures concerned fans that "Burnout has always and will always be about evolution. We're quite open about this, and we've said it many times and in many interviews so it shouldn't be a surprise to anyone really. Just because we do something in one game never means it may or will come back in another." The full, surprisingly frank rant is worth the read.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND SOME DEMO QUESTIONS ANSWERED... [Criterion Games - thanks, Aaron!]

Open World vs. Real World, And My Feelings on the Burnout Paradise Demo

Mark Wilson — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 13:40:35 MST

I am a lazy bastard. And maybe it's for this reason, among a slew of others I'm sure, that I enjoy playing games so much. Run around and play football? Too sweaty, I'll load Madden. Steal cars and beat up prostitutes? Too much work scrubbing the blood stains, just give me GTA.

The real world is a pain in the ass. It involves traffic, cleaning gutters and lines at the grocery store. And often gaming is effective because it streamlines the experience of life, like a movie, just giving us the best parts, the frosty tops of cupcakes without the dry bottoms. That's why when I loaded Burnout Paradise and found a large, beautiful world just waiting for my destructive domination, I was let down.

It's ungrateful, I know. A team of hardworking programmers and artists from Criterion have assembled a game that (like the upcoming Midnight Club) allows you to explore an open world GTA-style and start street races almost seamlessly from a traffic light.

But such a world brings its burdens that agitate my lazy bastard side. Such a world requires stopping for gas, finding repair shops and hitting up a drive-thru for a new paint job. And such a world also requires one of my personal pet peeves, maps, to navigate to and during races.

It's not that Burnout Paradise is bad or that the idea is inherently unsuited for the genre, it's just that I don't mind clean menu systems that can bring me to a race quicker than driving there. And I'm not sure that an open world is really making a game like Burnout any better (or something like Tony Hawk or even Jak 3). I don't always mind clean cut levels so much because they allow me to take the good bites first and last. What about you?

Burnout Paradise Soundtrack Revealed

Mike Fahey — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:00:34 MST

EA is known for their strong and varied game soundtracks, but lately their song lists have made me scratch my head and wonder if I even qualify to write about music anymore, what with all the bands I haven't recognized. Not so with Burnout Paradise, which features at least 10 tracks I could sing for you (badly) right now, including the Guns N' Roses masterpiece, Paradise City - which was really a no brainer considering that's where the game takes place. Other artists I recognize include Adam and the Ants, Faith No More, Alice in Chains, Jimmy Eat World, and Twisted Sister with I Wanna Rock, which pretty much guaranteed EA $60 of my hard-earned monies. Hit the jump for the full track list while I load up my iPod and drive my broken blue Nissan Sentra dangerously down the highway shouting Dee Snider vocals at the top of my lungs.

EA Announces the Adrenaline Infusing Soundtrack for Burnout Paradise
Rock Paradise City With the Smash Hit Single From Guns N' Roses

REDWOOD CITY, Calif.—(BUSINESS WIRE)—Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ:ERTS) announced today that Guns N' Roses' high-intensity rock anthem Paradise City headlines the playlist in Burnout™ Paradise for the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360™ videogame system. The music propels the game into high speed action with forty major artists including Alice in Chains, Jane's Addiction, Soundgarden, Twisted Sister, Jimmy Eat World and N.E.R.D., as well as rising stars Airbourne, Jupiter One and Junkie XL who have been signed to EA's own music label, Artwerk.

Set to release January 22, 2008, Burnout Paradise offers a true open world environment built for intense speed, excitement, and exploration with Paradise City. Feel the aggression in the streets off and online1, as friends can connect instantly in one another's game to heat up the competition.

Steve Schnur, Worldwide Executive of Music and Music Marketing at EA, said, "Burnout is one of the world's most popular racing franchises and demands a soundtrack that matches the game's intensity at every level. We believe we've crafted a truly volatile mix of rock's most dangerous tracks — beginning with the iconic 'Paradise City' — for an audio fuel as explosive as the game itself."

The complete in-game soundtrack for Burnout Paradise includes:

ARTIST SONG
Adam And The Ants - Stand And Deliver
Agent Blue - Snowhill
Airbourne - Too Much, Too Young, Too Fast
Alice In Chains - Would?
Army Of Me - Going Through Changes
Avril Lavigne - Girlfriend
B'z - FRICTION
Brain Failure feat. Dicky Barrett - Coming Down To Beijing
Brand New - The Archers Bows Have Broken
Bromheads Jacket - Fight Music For The Fight
Depeche Mode - Route 66 (Beatmasters Mix)
Faith No More - Epic
Guns N' Roses - Paradise City
Innerpartysystem - Heart Of Fire
Jane's Addiction - Stop!
Jimmy Eat World - Electable (Give It Up)
Junkie XL feat. Lauren Rocket - Cities In Dust
Jupiter One - Fire Away
Kerli - Creepshow
Killswitch Engage - My Curse
LCD Soundsystem - Us V. Them
Make Good Your Escape - Beautiful Ruin
Maxeen - Block Out The World
Mexicolas - Come Clean
N.E.R.D. - Rockstar (Jason Nevins Mix)
Never Heard Of It2 - Finger On The Trigger
Operator - Nothing To Lose
Permanent ME - Until You Leave
Saosin - Collapse
Seether - Fake It
Senses Fail - Calling All Cars
Showing Off To Thieves2 - Everyone Has Their Secrets
Skybombers - It Goes Off
Soundgarden - Rusty Cage
Sugarcult - Dead Living
Swervedriver - Duel
The Photo Atlas - Red Orange Yellow
The Pigeon Detectives - I'm Not Sorry
The Styles - Glitter Hits (J.J. Puig Mix)
Twisted Sister - I Wanna Rock

Burnout Paradise has been rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. Developed by the award-winning team at EA Criterion in Guildford, the game will ship under the EA™ brand on January 22, 2008. Demo is now available worldwide on the PlayStation®Network and Xbox LIVE™ Marketplace. For more information about the Burnout franchise, please visit http://burnout.ea.com or the EA press website at http://info.ea.com.

Burnout Paradise Demo Trailer

Brian Crecente — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:00:21 MST

Electronic Arts just sent along this trailer for the upcoming Burnout Paradise demo. It gives you a quick glimpse of what you can expect to see in the demo.

Criterion Shows Off Paradise Demo Map

Brian Crecente — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 11:00:40 MST

Starting Thursday, gamers will be able to grab the Burnout Paradise demo on the Playstation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace, but why wait until then to start studying what you'll be playing with?

Criterion Games posted a "glance" at their demo map today, showing off a wedge of Paradise City and some of the routes taken along the coastline including Motor City, Big Surf Beach and Ocean View. The demo will also include three events.

I can't wait to see the plethora of "O faces" that flood the net once the game, and it's auto snapshot ability, hits stores on Jan. 22.

GRAB A SLICE OF PARADISE ON THE 13TH OF DECEMBER [Criterion Games]

Burnout Paradise Demo Coming Dec. 13th

Mark Wilson — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:40:53 MST

We knew the Burnout Paradise demo would be making its way to Xbox 360 and PS3 sometime in December in anticipation of the January 22nd launch date. Now it's confirmed, per countdown clock on Criterion's site, that the Burnout Paradise demo will be coming December 13th. Despite a fantastic year of racing games, I can't wait for the arcade style speed and destruction of a true ~~next gen~~ current gen Burnout title. Maybe it can finally quell our instinct to run real drivers off the road.

Countdown to demo play [via shacknews]

Burnout Paradise Coming Jan 22

Mark Wilson — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 10:40:54 MDT

Names like Gran Turismo and Forza make for some great racing simulations, but many of us are just plain bad people who have no interest in racing in the real world and its subsequent simulations. Many of us just want to go fast, and maybe kill some other drivers in the process. Well our day is coming on January 22nd, when Burnout Paradise will be released for PS3 and Xbox 360. And until then, I'd appreciate anyone who sympathized with this post to drop your keys off at Kotaku HQ.

Burnout Paradise Crashes and Burns January 22 [shacknews]

Burnout Paradise Impressions

Brian Crecente — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 09:15:36 MDT

Burnout Paradise brings some really nice tweaks to the car racing/crashing franchise. My favorite by far was the detailed car deformation. The game now really tracks every little ding, dent and collision that happens to your car and doesn't make the car undriveable until you loose an axel. Believe me, that makes for some pretty trashy rides... in a good way.

The game seems to have a slicker feel to it than past iterations. Both the acceleration and breaking seemed a tad more responsive, but it didn't take long to get used to it. I didn't get a chance to check out the game on the PS3, which supports the SIXAXIS' motion controls, so make sure to check back with us after we get more hands on time later this week.

This time around the game also plays in free-roaming mode. Instead of having to drop to a menu to start a race you just have to pull up to one of the game's 163 traffic lights to get going.

Both the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of the game will also support the consoles' video cameras. The game automatically snaps a photo of the grimace you make when you crash and transmits it to your opponent when playing online. Nice.

PS Store Updates: Calling All Cars! Finally!

Michael McWhertor — Thu, 10 May 2007 16:20:37 MDT

After a series of delays and a publicly aired last minute set of bug fixes, Incognito Entertainment and David Jaffe's Calling All Cars is finally available for purchase on the PlayStation Store. Ten bucks, four players, 1080p, 60 frames per second, David Jaffe.

Also available, as promised, is Sony Online Entertainment's port of Rampart for $4.99. Consider it bought, SOE! On the trailer front, videos of Warhawk, Burnout Paradise and Rampage World Tour will make appearances.

Anyone up for some Rampart matches this weekend? Michael McWhertor

Burnout Paradise - Grand Crash Auto

Mike Fahey — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 09:20:41 MDT

Well this was lovely news to wake up to! EA today officially announces a brand new entry in the Burnout series for next generation consoles, called Burnout Paradise, the artist formerly known as Burnout 5. It's the same crashing, smashing, and indeed bashing fun of the Burnout series, transferred into a free-roaming, open world environment. Drive anywhere, crash anything. Sounds absolutely divine. Let that sink in while you take a look at the teaser trailer.

It sounds sort of like the open-endedness you get in games like Need for Speed Carbon, only with the much more explosive action of the Burnout series. You'll have free reign in Paradise City, where the grass is green and Guns and Roses most likely gets some sort of royalties. Can't name the place that without having the theme song to go with it.

The game is due out this Winter. Hit the jump for the first three screens and of course, the obligatory press release. Michael Fahey

GET READY TO BREAK THE RULES - PARADISE IS COMING!
EA INVITES DANGEROUS DRIVERS TO BURNOUT PARADISE THIS WINTER

Guildford, UK - April 30, 2007 - Electronic Arts Inc., (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced the title for the revolutionary new Burnout videogame currently in development for the PLAYSTATION 3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360 videogame system. Players will be able to take their dangerous driving experience to a whole new level when Burnout Paradise is unleashed this winter.

Burnout Paradise proves that crashing is awesome! Next generation technology has enabled an unprecedented level of crash deformation allowing you to experience the most explosive pile-ups in the series' history. Now the development team can realise their original vision for the Burnout franchise: an open world environment where you can do anything, anywhere, anytime!

"We have been working towards Burnout Paradise for quite some time. Next generation consoles have opened up a raft of new gameplay opportunities and the Criterion team has leapt at the chance to innovate and raise the bar to an all-new high," said Pete Hawley, Executive Producer, Burnout Paradise. "There are going to be some big surprises and a lot of new features but the core of the game is still pure Burnout. Instant accessibility will be reinforced by innovative on-line capabilities which will see Burnout Paradise smash racing conventions.''

Feel the adrenaline course through your veins as you take to the road for the first time in Paradise City, where the action is all around you. Explore the city, discover events, and look for the best opportunities to crash, jump and pull signature takedowns. In Burnout Paradise you're given the keys to the city, but it's up to you to earn the keys to the meanest and most dangerous cars on the street, and earn your Burnout licence.

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