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Unlock Legendary cars (for free!) in Burnout Paradise: Big Surf Island
Don't want to pony up the $8 to download Burnout Paradise's premium "Legendary" cars? Well, here's a cheaper alternative: buy Big Surf Island for $13, as it includes special toy versions of all four DLC cars. You can get a cute mini version of the hovering 88 Special (pictured above), Bootlegger, Manhattan Spirit and GT Nighthawk by completing various tasks around the new Burnout island: Toy Hunter Cavalry Bootlegger - Jump from all 15 Island Mega Jumps Toy Jansen P12 88 Special - Hit all 45 Island Billboards Toy Carson GT Nighthawk - Complete all 24 Island Road Rules (Timed & Showtime) Toy Hunter Manhattan Spirit - Hit all 75 Island Smashes We'll admit that we were too cheap to pay for the Legendary DLC, but with a little bit of skill, we'll be able to drive our own Ghostbusters-inspired car in no time.%Gallery-41360%
Big Surf Island will wash $12.99 out of your wallet
How much will you pay for 15 new events in Burnout Paradise? Criterion is hoping the answer is $12.99 (£9.99), because that's what it's charging for the upcoming Big Surf Island DLC pack, available this Thursday. Interestingly, those who use Microsoft Magic Money™ get a slightly cheaper option at 1000.It's certainly not as costly as some on the Joystiq team feared, but it's also far from an immediate impulse buy. While we understand Criterion wants to "make money" and "feed the family," we lament the long-gone days of free Burnout DLC.%Gallery-38136%
Criterion Games takes us on a tour of Burnout Paradise's Big Surf Island
Criterion Games has released the latest Crash TV episode looking at Burnout Paradise's upcoming DLC, Big Surf Island. In their classic style, the guys and gals at Criterion have given us a very in-depth look at the new content, showing off the new Criterion Dust Storm car, and even a building that one of the game's fans won the chance to name (he named it after his son, Taylor). Head past the break to check out Big Surf Island.
Burnout Paradise: Big Surf Island hangs ten (and then some) in debut trailer
We warmly invite you to watch this first video of the upcoming Burnout Paradise DLC, Big Surf Island, in action, but please don't try any of these stunts at home. That's just silly. No one lives in a ginormous fun park! Now, if you'll excuse us, we're off in search of a colossal doughnut to launch our car through. Preferably with sprinkles.Big Surf Island will be available for PS3, Xbox 360 and PC on ... oh, right, we promised Criterion we wouldn't spoil it. Just watch the video ... %Gallery-38136%
Big Surf Island adds 15 events, 10 freeburn challenges to Burnout Paradise
With Cops and Robbers out of the way, Criterion is free to finish up the last of the announced Burnout Paradise premium DLC -- Big Surf Island. This is the first new locale to be introduced into the ever-evolving racing game, and it'll add 15 events and 10 online freeburn challenges to the game. Criterion is promising big air for the expansion, and completionists will want to look for all 45 Billboards hidden on the island. For comparison purposes, the original game featured 120 events and 350 freeburn challenges.These early details come courtesy of an early look at the DLC's Trophies. (Check out the new Trophies after the break.) One particularly intriguing achievement involves getting a whopping 4.5 seconds of air time in a single jump. Who needs Burnout Planes when you have massive jumps like that?Our very own Randy Nelson got some hands-on time with the DLC pack, but he can't report on the details quite yet. Expect a full preview on May 28.%Gallery-38136%
Xbox 360 Platinum Hits are numerous, cheap, rebranded
This one's just about as confusing as it gets, folks, but here goes nothing. Microsoft is repackaging eight of its titles under a new moniker: "Greatness is Earned." Though these titles still fall into the Platinum Hits category (and as such, are priced at $19.99 and up), a number of them are receiving the treatment for the first time. And this is where things get confusing: We've seen the "Greatness is Earned" logo before, nearly a month ago now, on the repackaged Gears of War (Platinum Hits edition, mind you) seen above. At the time, Microsoft wouldn't comment on the images.Considering Viva Piñata and EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 are among them, we're doubting (and hoping) they won't all get the dark and brooding look. We've listed all eight titles after the break in for your perusal. We'd also like to point out that, while snooping around the Microsoft press site for images of these games, we noticed Halo 3 "Classics" in the "Upcoming Games" category -- the same note found next to all other Platinum Hits games. Interesting, hmm?Update: We've replaced the image above with shots of the new "Greatness is Earned" pack shots of Gears of War, Forza 2 and Mass Effect. For giant shots, peep the gallery below!%Gallery-63475%
Joystiq Review: Burnout Paradise Cops & Robbers
Gamers are in the middle of a love/hate relationship with Criterion. Costly and often-underwhelming "premium" DLC has tarnished the goodwill earned by Burnout Paradise's free Cagney and Bikes updates. The $10 Party pack was a misstep for the series, but does Cops & Robbers steer the game back in the right direction? The answer, thankfully, is a resounding "yes."At its core, Cops & Robbers is a simple retooling of the game's already-existing online Marked Man mode. However, some key tweaks make it a much more focused and entertaining experience. While the $10 price point will give some sticker shock, the addition of more than 30 repainted vehicles makes it an easier buy than Criterion's "Toys" and "Legendary Cars" packs.%Gallery-44220%
Burnout Cops and Robbers DLC hits the streets, new trailer
Just a reminder folks, the latest DLC for Burnout Paradise, Cops and Robbers, is now available. The new game mode, surprisingly, pits cops against robbers in a mad dash for some sweet, sweet gold. Alongside the newly released DLC, we have a trailer of the new game mode in action. You can also find the latest episode of Crash TV, which explains the mode in great detail, after the break.The Cops and Robbers DLC is available now for $10 / 800 on PS3 and Xbox 360.
European PSN update for April 30
The weekly DLC onslaught continues this week with the anticipated release of Killzone 2's "Steel And Titanium" pack. Cops and Robbers also make their appearance on the streets of Paradise City and Egyptian gods invade LittleBigPlanet. A few more PSP classics have also been released for those who feel that UMDs are on the way out. Choose your platform to view the corresponding release list: (Note: Continue past the break to view both release lists.)
Burnout Paradise: Cops and Robbers is a steal at $10
It looks like Criterion has finally figured out how much to charge for its upcoming Cops and Robbers DLC. The multiplayer-only premium DLC for Burnout Paradise will release this Thursday and will cost $9.99 / €9.99 / £7.99 / 800. The expansion not only adds the CTF-inspired online mode, but will also add 33 new international police cars to your Junkyard.At $10, Cops and Robbers looks to be a much better value than all of Criterion's previously released DLC. The price is (finally) right -- let's hope the trend continues for the upcoming Big Surf Island.%Gallery-44220%
Criterion has too much fun playing Burnout Paradise: Cops and Robbers
A lot of Burnout Paradise's "premium DLC" packs have left gamers out in the cold. The "Party" DLC didn't add much to the Burnout experience. The movie-inspired DLC cars were fun, but a bit pricey. However, Criterion may have crafted a truly worthwhile add-on with its upcoming "Cops and Robbers" pack, available next week.The latest episode of CrashTV (after the break) shows the Burnout team enjoying three rounds of their upcoming multiplayer expansion. Essentially, "Cops and Robbers" is the Paradise version of Capture the Flag, with cars trying to capture a floating collection of gold. The gold will spawn at random points on the map, and teams will have to reclaim the treasure and drive back to their designated checkpoint. Expect tons of Takedowns.The team at Criterion looks to be having a lot of fun with this new expansion -- maybe too much fun. As generally grumpy people, we always keep a suspicious eye on people that appear to be happy. We're watching you, Criterion ...
Black Rock dev says racing genre is 'dying out,' Split/Second to give a 'kick start'
Though we're inclined to point out the massively successful Burnout Paradise to Black Rock Studios head Tony Beckwith and Split/Second director Nick Baynes, the two believe "the racing genre is, in many respects, dying out." But alas, friends! There is hope yet! Speaking with Develop recently, the two claim their studio's upcoming game Split/Second will help to turn that all around. "We're all fans of street racing here, but as a genre it is relatively stale -- the evolution is only coming from how you customize cars, which can only serve to remove you from the action – I think Split/Second will do the opposite," Baynes says, referencing the game's (familiar) HUD-less design. Based on these comments, we're not so sure that the folks at Black Rock have been paying too much attention to the racing genre, though we will certainly admit to Split/Second looking fantastic. We'll just have to wait and see what the game does to substantiate the two's claims when the game arrives in "early 2010."
Cops and Robbers coming to Burnout Paradise April 30 [update]
Update: We've heard back from EA, and a company spokesperson said no details on pricing are available right now. EA will reveal those details "soon." We admire Criterion Games' dedication to its racer, Burnout Paradise. Countless updates have added tremendous value to the game, and on April 30, the next update will be rolled out for one and all to enjoy: Cops and Robbers.There's no word on a price as of yet, but we've put in word to Criterion Games for clarification on that. We'll be sure to update you as soon as we hear back.%Gallery-44220%
Crash TV provides early glimpse of Burnout Paradise's cop cars
The folks at Criterion Games don't just sit around crashing virtual cars all day, you know. Well, okay, maybe they do a little, but they also produce a video show called Crash TV, which provides a behind-the-scenes look at everything the company is doing with its game, Burnout Paradise. In the latest episode, Criterion previews some of the cop cars coming in the Cops and Robbers DLC pack. We've embedded the latest episode of Crash TV after the break, which shows off around 15 new cop cars in total, so click through and get your 7-minute dose of cop car goodness.%Gallery-44220%
Burnout Paradise teases 'Cops and Robbers'
We're not exactly sure what they stole, but judging by the teaser trailer for Burnout Paradise's looming Cops and Robbers mode, criminals will have their jobs cut out for them outrunning the Paradise City fuzz. As a latest move to "change the way people think about and experience" the chaotic racer, much of Cops and Robbers' details remain behind bars, including the premium DLC's as-yet-unannounced release date. Still, if nothing else, this early look shows that Paradise City's police force is more than equipped to keep pace with lead foots on the wrong side of the law.
Cops and Robbers DLC adds 8 new Trophies
Looks like Cops and Robbers, the next bit of premium DLC being prepped for Burnout Paradise, is finishing up. A set of eight new Trophies were just added to the game, bumping up the number of Trophies to a whopping 88. From what we can gather from the list, Cops and Robbers looks to be a Burnout interpretation of Capture the Flag, with both Cops and Robbers racing each other to pick up Gold and deliver it to their base. Undoubtedly, takedowns will be a vital part of this online multiplayer mode.Criterion hasn't officially announced a release date or price for this upcoming mode, but this Trophy leak has us thinking it'll be sooner than later.[Thanks, Mason!]%Gallery-49268%
Gitcha SecuROM de-authorization tools! Git'em ova hur!
EA's perpetual joke -- on you -- comes to an ironic end on April Fools' Day with the release of de-authorization tools for each of its 19 PC games with SecuROM copy protection (full list and download links after the break). If you've been working on that class action lawsuit against EA for bundling SecuROM with The Sims 2: IKEA Home Stuff, you can drop it now -- your flat-pack furniture can finally be moved to a new machine. In the spirit of generosity, EA's giving you two options for managing your authorizations: Option 1: Download and install yet another "tool" in order to scan your computer for EA's SecuROM games and find out how many computer authorizations you have (or don't have) left for each title. Option 2: Cut to the chase and download the game-specific de-authorization tool you need.
Burnout Paradise planes could be an April Fool's joke
Back in July of last year, Criterion Games mentioned that it had been experimenting with airplanes as a potential Burnout Paradise add-on; however, with new info claiming that an announcement regarding this is due on April 1st, there's suspicion that such an update could be nothing more than a really long-running April Fool's joke. This information comes from the FAQ section on Criterion's website, where it was specifically stated to "check for an exciting announcement on April 1" for more on the inclusion of planes. Now, there are a number of ways we can read this quoted sentence. We can take it for face value and what it says directly, or we can assume that there's sarcasm and allusion in the type. Preferably, we'd like to think Criterion is serious about making plane crashes in Paradise City a reality, but the proposition of planes in Burnout is hard to believe. Associate that with April Fool's and, well, it's really hard to believe. It seems the real joke is on us trying to figure out which is which. We've contacted Criterion and EA to see if we can get a straight answer.[Thanks, Joey B.!]
Burnout Paradise may receive 3D upgrade on PS3
Sony's 3D technology impressed gamers that attended CES earlier this year. Games like WipEout HD and Gran Turismo 5 Prologue were used to demonstrate the PS3's ability to render 3D images that pop out of the screen -- provided you don special 3D glasses. The latest episode of Qore suggests Burnout Paradise might also implement this feature. The end of their Burnout video special shows the host, 3D glasses equipped, staring an oddly distorted image on the screen. Really, there's no other conclusion to be made: she was certainly playing Burnout Paradise in 3D.The tech is currently implemented in the PC version of the game and can only operate on special TVs and computer monitors with a speed of 100Hz or higher. To check out what hardware works for the PC version, check out Nvidia's website.[Thanks, Jason!]
Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box speeds onto Steam
As foretold by the all-knowing prophet Criterion, Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box is now available for purchase on Steam for $39.99. The Ultimate Box includes the full version of Burnout Paradise and all of its free updates, including the Cagney and Bike content, plus the premium Party Pack (sadly, Legendary Cars and newer DLC are not included). As a special bonus, only applicable to this downloadable version, none of the excessive packaging or nasty shrink wrap is included. We can already feel the environment's warming approval.
