As in planes that can fly in the sky or planes that you can drive around on the ground? Seriously speaking, there was a vague mention up on Criterion Games' website giving hint to more vehicles ... of the winged and massive variety. Can Burnout Paradise's engine really dish out full flying machines? Maybe; considering all the previous updates and just the sheer amount of content that's added every time, we'd have to say we're going on good faith with this one. With Cagney soon to release this July 10, Burnout Paradise fans have a lot to look forward to.
On a side note, please pardon the photo. We just thought the Foo Fighters may have predicted this years ago. Have a peek at their lyrics: "Im looking to the sky to save me. Looking for a sign of life. Looking for something to help me burnout bright." See what we mean?
Have you heard the news that Burnout Paradise's update known as Cagney has been delayed? Fear not, PS3 fans! While we've become fairly accepting of delays and assume any game or update getting delayed is due to the PS3, this way of thinking is incorrect in this case. The PS3 update is still scheduled to go for July 10, but the 360 version has unfortunately been pushed back a few days. All is not sunshine and rainbows, though. Sony Korea has yet to approve the update, so until they do, this won't get released. It's still expected by July 10, but if not, we know which Sony headquarters to give the hairy eyeball.
A second Burnout Paradise post has appeared on the PlayStation Blog. Mostly this post, by Criterion's Simon Phipps, discusses the upcoming Timed Challenges. These are just one facet of the upcoming free Cagney update and consist of seventy new Freeburn Challenges to take part in online. For more information on those, be sure to check out the latest PlayStation Blog post.
While this is all very exciting, the most interesting piece of news in the post is the official word that Criterion are planning to incorporate trophies into the game "soon." They won't be included in the Cagney update, but they will be coming separately. We're not sure whether that means they'll be a part of the next update (the one beginning with D) or whether they'll be patched in on their own, but we're looking forward to seeing them arrive. Hopefully we'll hear more developers confirm their trophy plans over the next few weeks.
[UPDATE] Thanks to Phipps' response to the PlayStation Blog comments we now know that Burnout Paradise's trophies will work retroactively. This is thanks to the unique way that the game saves data via the PlayStation Network linked to your account. Don't expect this to be a common occurrence.
Simon Phipps, a designer at Criterion Games, has posted an entry on the Playstation.Blog regarding an update to Burnout Paradise. The Burnout Team has named 2008 the "Year of Paradise", complete with "stories daily direct from the team" on their website, along with audio and video podcasts weekly.
The third and latest update is already in the works, codenamed "Cagney" -- promised are new Online Game Modes, new Online Timed Challenges, new vehicles, improvements to the Ranked Racing System, 1080i support, improved SD rendering and support for custom soundtracks. Check out the list of updates and details after the jump.
Criterion's racing game has a number of updates planned for this year and beyond, and we approve. For those that haven't jumped into Paradise City, Walmart.com's price reduction on Burnout Paradise might warrant a purchase. For $40, you'll get all of Paradise City, access to the upcoming expansions, and an extra $20 to keep in your wallet. That's not too shabby!
The huge update everyone with a copy of Burnout Paradise has been waiting for will finally hit this July 10. The update with custom soundtracks and added game modes will be available for download at 9 am GMT. That's 4 am EST for us Americans.
Cagney comes out roughly over two months after the Bogart release gave players some nice incentives. You'd think that for content as good as this, you'd be paying for it; luckily, you won't have to pay a cent. It's completely free. Check out the official website for more details.
There's a hidden feature buried deep down in Burnout Paradise's Bogart update that wasn't mentioned previously. It's called the "Burnout Paradise Save Game Analyzer," and what it does is paints out a map of all the things you've missed. So, if you're on the hunt to collect everything and do everything, this will surely help you accomplish all.
The way this works exactly is that you need to import save game data via USB drive or memory stick. You'll take your data to Criterion's website for analysis. Then, based on the info on your save, an interactive map will be created so you can view all incomplete tasks. Criterion says "technicians are just putting the final touches to this feature – we expect it to go live [on our site] imminently!" Also, just as a reminder, this is PS3-only.
Criterion Games has ambitious plans for Burnout Paradise, promising updates to the game for a full year after the game's release. They've revealed the release schedule of their upcoming updates: "Cagney" will be available at the end of June. "Davis" will follow sometime in August. "Eastwood" will be next, in Fall. ("Bogart" is less than a day away for PS3 owners.)
The "Cagney" update will introduce a new vehicle: a SUV that's without boost (a first in the Burnout franchise). Custom soundtracks are also planned for that release.
However, we're most excited for August's "Davis" update, which adds two new features: a nighttime mode, and motorcycles. The darkened skies of Paradise City will clear up traffic, allowing players to race in the streets with less threat of crashes. Adding motorcycles to the mix is a great idea, but we're wondering if the crashes will look even more brutal than those featured in Motorstorm.
While we're still waiting on the Bogart update, we're already hearing good things about the future Cagney update. One such major inclusion in Cagney is the ability to play custom soundtracks while cruising Paradise City.
To play a custom soundtrack, all a player needs to do is enter the Easydrive menu, go to "Soundtrack," and then hit "Custom." This will bring up an XMB page where they can select songs to play in modes like shuffle, repeat, or by group.
While this feature is a welcomed addition, the Cagney update has yet to find a fixed release date. This means that the ability to play custom music is, well, still a promise that's far off. The Bogart update is only releasing this April 24 but was revealed way back at the beginning of March. If we can expect to see a similar timeframe, Cagney could still be a month or two away.
Criterion's Burnout Paradise is one of the rare breed to continue expanding long after the game's original release. Three new gameplay modes are being prepped for release soon, but it's just the beginning for this open-world racing game. Jino Talens from EA notes that "this is just the start – we aim to bring you many new Freeburn game modes covering different themes and play styles. Over the next 12 months, we're going to transform the Burnout Paradise you know and love into the Burnout Paradise you only ever dreamed of!" That's a rather ambitious promise, but consider our interest piqued.
For details on the three new Freeburn game modes (Road Rage, Marked Man and Stunt Run), check after the break.
Do you remember about a month ago we posted that a Burnout Paradise patch was coming? Back then we didn't have a set date for when the patch would go live; however, we do now. April 24, mark that day off on your calendar Paradise players so you won't be surprised when you need to make an update.
Not much has changed since we first reported it -- save for the patch name changing to codename "Bogart." All the promised fixes are still the same. If you need an extra reminder of what they are, then read them right here.
It seems the borders between video game culture and other forms of popular culture are melting away. Wyclef Jean recently teamed up with Electronic Arts to feature bits of Burnout Paradise in a new music video. The result? Well, it's a neat concept to be sure. Having Wyclef Jean driving a car while a kid is "controlling" him is pretty fun. If only we could control some of our friends while they were driving, huh?
Criterion is expanding the world of Paradise City. Creative director Alex Ward has revealed that new cars will be available for both the PS3 and 360 versions of the game. However, the more significant news comes in the introduction of new islands to the game. Even better: the DLC will cost a pretty zero dollars. Free. The way DLC used to be. We like it that way.
Each of the islands will offer "a different type of gameplay," but what that means is unclear for now. We're assuming that the islands will still involve cars and racing -- we think. The islands will be free, mandatory software updates so that everyone will be able to access the new content when it goes live. The cars, on the other hand, will have to be paid for.
Today's Zero Punctuation video is arguably the funniest yet. Yahtzee takes on Burnout Paradise and, while it isn't really clear whether he actually likes it or not, you won't care because of all the laughing you'll be doing. In reviewing Burnout Paradise Yahtzee manages to extract a storyline from the game that doesn't exist, but really, really should. The very NSFW video can be seen above and, as usual, we agree with practically everything the man says. Enjoy!
Posted Mar 10th 2008 9:30PM by Majed Athab Filed under: News
So here is another one of those "blame videogames for screwing up our kids" kind of stories. This time, a British tween had the unfortunate run-in with a picture of a crude gamer's buttocks in Burnout Paradise. Apparently, the takedown pics that get swapped every time a player gets knocked out didn't feature the gamer's face, but his unlovable backside -- yes, the dimples were on the other cheeks.
You naughty Paradise players ... what are you guys doing? Seriously though, the kid isn't traumatized or anything like that but the story was picked up by CBS TV which linked the story with online pedophile practices -- something completely out of context with the issue at hand. The point here folks, don't go doing something so brash; your actions may be interpreted and misunderstood by others so much so that it may land you in trouble. Just keep it fun and clean. While this story would probably make parents more cautious about gaming, it isn't as bad as another recent controversy.
Criterion's racing game has a number of updates planned for this year and beyond, and we approve. For those that haven't jumped into Paradise City, Walmart.com's price reduction on Burnout Paradise might warrant a purchase. For $40, you'll get all of Paradise City, access to the upcoming expansions, and an extra $20 to keep in your wallet. That's not too shabby!
