The PSN edition — downloadable from the PlayStation Store — will come with all the recent patches and updates and will be able to download the 'Year Of Paradise' DLC that adds new vehicles (including motorcycles) and game modes.

The DLC will also bring a live news page containing updates about new content and multiplayer events.

Burnout Paradise should arrive this Autumn for $29.99.

Burnout Paradise [Criterion Games]

"Cagney," already applied to the PS3 version, was originally slated for release on July 10. The update is free and is far more than a patch or a fix. Three new online game modes, two additional cars, and 70 new timed multipart challenges come with the new version, as well as "a complete overhaul of our Online Racing System and a stack of other major improvement," says Criterion. A full listing of features is in this announcement.

Cagney Pack Dated [Criterion]

Totilo got a hands-on with the expansion pack, due out in the next couple of months. The rundown: Your rider can be of either gender; weather effects and a day/night cycle are due in the final version; and while it's due for both consoles, the PS3 will get it first, as Electronic Arts wants to get a previous expansion already out on PS3 to the 360, and then bikes. There's more at the link.

More Wheelies, Less Crashing — How Motorcycles Work In ‘Burnout Paradise’ [MTV Multiplayer]

The update rolled out onto PS3 on time, marking almost an entire month's delay for Xbox 360 users. "We're in the final stages of testing the revised version and will announce a concrete date as soon as we have one," wrote Criterion on its developer blog.

The update contains 70 challenges, new online game modes — Marked Man, Stunt Run and Road Rage — the Live Page and Calendar, new cars, liveries and what the developers describe as a "mountain" of smaller improvements.

Full explanation post-jump:

Here's a quick post on the Xbox 360 version of our forthcoming software update.

We're still not able to provide a concrete date on this awesome FREE update. We're in the final stages of testing the revised version and will announce a concrete date as soon as we have one.

We're currently aiming for 4th August. That's the EARLIEST we can expect it to be available.

Many apologies to those keenly awaiting this pack. As always, we're trying to get this to you as quickly as possible.

We hope you can hold on a little longer for our brand new online game modes (Marked Man, Stunt Run and Road Rage), the Live Page and Calendar, our new cars, liveries, 70 Challenges and a mountain of smaller improvements.

More news here soon.

Burnout Paradise's New Software Update (codenamed Cagney) [Criterion Games Blog]

[Criterion Games]

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!]

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]

360 Bogart is online now! [Criterion]

Burnout Paradise Ultra Widescreen PC Footage [Criterion Games]

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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: Burnout Paradise [The Escapist]

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]

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.

We opened a dialogue with Microsoft to attempt to discover a possible solution and all possible technical options were investigated to retain the seamless freedom of Burnout without requiring the HDD. Unfortunately a solution was not available and we decided together that it would be in the best interests of the Burnout community if we require the HDD for full online play.

XBOX 360 HDD/ONLINE STATEMENT [Criterion via N4G]

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.

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!]

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?

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.

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.

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]

Countdown to demo play [via shacknews]

Burnout Paradise Crashes and Burns January 22 [shacknews]

"With Burnout in your pocket, you can tap into the adrenaline fuelled excitement of fast and reckless driving at the push of a button no matter where you are," said Javier Ferreira, VP European Publishing, EA Mobile™. "The game is incredibly easy to get into and enjoy, whether you're a racer at heart or prefer to stick to the Highway Code."

Now that he mentions it, Burnout: The Highway Code would make an awesome game for a mobile device. Try to stick to the rules of the road as prescribed by the Offical Road Safety Manual for the United Kingdom while racers on the much more capable platforms try to ruin your Sunday afternoon drive by acting like hooligans of the worst stripe. A game for anyone who has every spent hours playing GTA while obeying the speed limited and traffic signals. A game for me.

BURNOUT THE AWARD WINNING SERIES FAMED FOR HIGH-SPEED DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS IS COMING TO YOUR MOBILE

Chertsey, UK - 23 July, 2007 - The king of speed and destruction is back but this time it's a first for mobile! Electronic Arts (NASAQ: ERTS) today announced that a new Burnout™ game is currently in development for the mobile platform. Fans of the award winning racing game series are going to be able to take their dangerous driving experience wherever and whenever they are on the move when the game becomes available from all major operators this August.

Burnout has been tailor made for the mobile platform delivering speed, destruction and chaos never seen before on mobile. Fans of the franchise will be pleased to see features they enjoy from the console version of the game included but will also be delighted with new game modes exclusive to the mobile platform. Expect to see takedowns, supercharged boosts and much more, all taking place at break neck speed on your mobile phone.

"With Burnout in your pocket, you can tap into the adrenaline fuelled excitement of fast and reckless driving at the push of a button no matter where you are," said Javier Ferreira, VP European Publishing, EA Mobile™. "The game is incredibly easy to get into and enjoy, whether you're a racer at heart or prefer to stick to the Highway Code."

Current and new fans to the franchise are going to be surprised with features that have been implemented for the platform, ranging from high speed takedowns, multiple game modes, unlockable cars and regions but also at the sheer speed it's being delivered at, this is pure Burnout on your mobile.

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.

A advertising poster for Electronic Arts PS2/PSP title Burnout Dominator has been labeled "irresponsible" by the UK's Advertising Standards Authority. Thirty-seven complaints were filed regarding the ad, which featured a wrecked car surrounded by broken glass with the slogan "Inner peace through outer violence." According to an ASA spokesperon;

The complainants described the advert as offensive as it condoned and was likely to encourage violence, dangerous driving and anti-social behaviour such as vandalism... The Advertising Standards Authority determined that the implication of the advertisment was likely to cause serious or widespread offence.

Stupid question. Brian Ashcraft

Eds Note: Multiplayer editor Ludovica was kind enough to send along the ad image. Many thanks!

Irresponsible Ad [Games Industry]

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

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.

###

British Gaming Blog got their hands on a bevy of cute Burnout 5 screens. Look, how adorable. I hope they blow up just as cute. Check out the site for more non-blow-uppy screens. Brian Crecente

Mini Burnout 5 Snaps [British Gaming Blog]

"The Burnout series is an amazing, proven platform for launching the world's biggest songs and artists, and we're thrilled to be working with Avril Lavigne this year to help debut her new song "Girlfriend," said Steve Schnur, EA's Worldwide Executive of Music. "From pop to rock to metal Burnout Dominator is all about attitude and rebellion, which makes it a perfect fit for the 33 artists."

EA UNVEILS EXPLOSIVE SOUNDTRACK FOR BURNOUT DOMINATOR
Soundtrack Headlined by the World Premiere of Avril Lavigne's New Track "Girlfriend"

CHERTSEY, UK. - February 23, 2007 - Electronic Arts (NASAQ: ERTS) today announced the complete soundtrack for its upcoming racing game, Burnout Dominator. Celebrating speed and attitude, the soundtrack features 33 tracks from today's hottest artists, including the world premiere of Avril Lavigne's new track "Girlfriend". Burnout Dominator is released on March 23rd for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system.

EA's Burnout franchise has long been instrumental in launching the hottest tracks from the world's biggest artists, including songs from Yellowcard, All-American Rejects, Franz Ferdinand and more. This year's soundtrack features current hits, new tracks from the world's biggest artists, and a first look at several bands about to break big. The complete soundtrack includes:

"The Burnout series is an amazing, proven platform for launching the world's biggest songs and artists, and we're thrilled to be working with Avril Lavigne this year to help debut her new song "Girlfriend," said Steve Schnur, EA's Worldwide Executive of Music. "From pop to rock to metal Burnout Dominator is all about attitude and rebellion, which makes it a perfect fit for the 33 artists."

Burnout Dominator is an all-new installment of the legendary, multi-award winning Burnout series and challenges players to face off against a series of hot-blooded rivals in tests of reckless, aggressive driving. The game features an all-new "Maniac Mode," daring players to take down other drivers and string together massive combos of the wildest driving stunts without crashing.

Burnout Dominator is rated 3+ by PEGI and is developed by EA's UK Studio team in Guildford, UK. For more information about the Burnout franchise, please visit http://ea.com or our press Web site at http://info.ea.com.

# # #

Hit the jump for the full press release. Michael Fahey

BANDS BATTLE IT OUT IN EA'S BURNOUT BANDSLAM!

EA, MySpace, Virgin Records and Epiphone support emerging music talent in international search for a future star; one U.S. and one European winner get a demo recording contract and track featured on future BurnoutTM videogame

edwood City, Calif. - February 13, 2007 - Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) and MySpace, the world's leading lifestyle portal, have today announced an international search for the hottest new bands in the United States and Europe, in collaboration with Virgin Records and Epiphone. EA's Burnout Bandslam started accepting entries on MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/burnoutbandslam) from early February 2007*.
Burnout Bandslam offers unsigned bands from across the United States and Europe the chance to showcase their best track in front of a potential global audience of over 80 million MySpace users, all of whom will be able to vote for their favorite track online.
The winning bands - one each from the United States and Europe - will each receive a Virgin Records demo recording contract and a chance to have their song included in a future Burnout videogame. One runner-up band from each country will become the proud owners of one top-of-the-range Epiphone Les Paul Custom Guitar**.
"Many of the biggest bands around the world have been first discovered through EA videogames, and now we are expanding the opportunity to unsigned bands through this year's Burnout Bandslam," says Steve Schnur, worldwide executive of music and marketing for EA. "The Burnout videogame series is all about attitude and rebellion. So I look forward to discovering a band or two which fits that definition."
"MySpace is dedicated to providing musicians around the globe the ability to share their music and connect with fans online," said Shawn Gold, SVP of Marketing, MySpace. "This partnership is part of our ongoing efforts to provide creative and passionate artists with a platform to be seen, heard, and connect online in order to get to the next level."

"EA has consistently broadened the lanes where music and interactive gaming intersect, and has proven that video games are a rich platform for the discovery and enjoyment of new and established artists, so a collaboration between Virgin and EA has great logic," noted Jeff Kempler, COO, Capitol Music Group. "Partnering with EA in this exciting artist discovery and development contest is a perfect fit for Virgin's dedication to innovative and expansive interaction with creative talent and music fans wherever they may be."

"Epiphone is proud to be involved and associated with this year's Burnout Bandslam and the game Burnout Dominator. Music, talent and excitement are all part of the Epiphone tradition and makes our partnership the perfect fit," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO Gibson Guitar, Epiphone's parent company.

The Burnout videogame series is developed by EA's Criterion Games studio and is one of the most acclaimed racing videogame franchises of all time. Burnout Dominator is currently in development for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system and PSP (PlayStation Portable) system and due for release in March 2007.
For more information about the Burnout videogame series, please visit the EA press web site at http://info.ea.com, the official Burnout videogame homepage at http://burnout.ea.com or Criterion Games at www.criteriongames.com
For more information about the Burnout Bandslam Contest see additional information below and check out http://www.myspace.com/burnoutbandslam beginning early February 2007 to view complete Contest Official Rules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Eligibility restrictions apply.

* Precise Contest start dates/times may vary by territory. Please consult the website (http://www.myspace.com/burnoutbandslam) and specific country page for details."

**Guitars to be awarded as part of any prize(s)/package are limited to the quantities quoted. In the event that any winning Band is comprised of multiple Band members, prize(s) will be delivered to the winning Band and division of the prizes is solely the winners' responsibility.

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Xbox Japan rattled the rusty Kotaku mailbox with news that its discount "Platinum Series" would be getting four new games. They are:

• Chromehounds
• Burnout Revenge
• Battlefield 2: Modern Combat
• Perfect Dark Zero

Each will retail for 2,800 yen (US $23) starting March 15th and bring the total discount Platinum titles to nine. Imagine that custom tailored announcements for elsewhere should follow shortly. Brian Ashcraft