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Shipping this week: bad driving edition
You know, in most cases -- most cases, mind you -- driving around like a maniac is a bad thing. It makes people angry, which in turn makes them drive more recklessly. Most importantly, it puts the life of the driver and the lives of those around that driver in danger. Burnout, however, is not most cases. In Burnout, you'd be crazy not to drive like a maniac. It's like some kind of road rage fantasy. Do whatever the hell you feel like. Drive on the wrong side of the road. Ignore that red light. Pass on the right. Yeah, we know it's naughty, but that's what makes it feel so good.Oh, and just so you know, Burnout Paradise is the sole Xbox 360 release this week. Hope you enjoy it.[Via Joystiq]%Gallery-4775%
New games this week: Burnout Paradise edition
We're happy to report that, for the first time in a long time, the choice for the new release of the week is clear: Burnout Paradise. That said, after playing the paradigm-shifting demo, we wonder if all of the series' fans are going to make the leap to this new iteration. How about you?Also: Good news for Wii fans this week too, with the sublimely odd No More Heroes also arriving. See the full list after the jump.%Gallery-2874%
Burnout Paradise art style inspired by rock album?
We're not going to spring for a paternity test, but just putting these two side by side is enough to convince us that there's at least some relation between Burnout Paradise's slick cover art, and this 2000 album by rock group Karate. In fact, we're willing to go out on a limb and state that the album art for Karate's "Unsolved" is most likely the genesis of Paradise's radical aesthetic switch. Even the colors bled into the cars' shapes are identical. Now, all that's left to find out is if Paradise's mother hung out at dockside bars.[Thanks, Greg K]
PS Fanboy Wallpapers: Volume 16
Every week, PSP and PS3 Fanboy will bring you new backgrounds for your Sony consoles, in resolutions up to 1080p. Download them directly to your PS3 by accessing PS3 Fanboy on your system. Download PSP wallpapers directly to your PSP by accessing the site wirelessly at m.pspfanboy.com. For those having trouble accessing the site on your PS3, please visit m.ps3fanboy.com or disable Javascript.This weekend, we're focusing on EA's upcoming PS3 title Burnout: Paradise.
PSN Thursday: Folklore keeps telling tales, demo Stardust in HD
This week PSN Thursday brings us a demo (and update) for frenetic shooter Super Stardust HD, along with the Folklore expansion packs and the demo to the game that if you're a games reviewer might just cause you to lose your job. For those who need to get a little nostalgic with PlayStation's original mascot, Crash Bandicoot 2: Cortex Strikes Back is available for $6 and, as normal, there's always this week's Rock Band offerings.Those on the continent of fine wine, cheese, and sausages can scope the Euro PSN update over at PS3 Fanboy. All the details of the PSN update on the continent of two buck chuck, Kraft singles, and Hillshire Farm are posted after the break.
Burnout Paradise demo expands its online support
Have you been enjoying the Burnout Paradise demo? (We have!) Well, you'll be glad to know that the game's online support has just been expanded. Now, with a simple press on the D-Pad, you'll be able to play with up to 8 players online. According to the official website, "a total of 13 new Freeburn challenges will be available for players to attempt - 3 challenges in 5, 6 and 7 player sessions, and 4 new challenges for those playing in 8 player sessions." This is, of course, to get your appetite ready for the full game coming out in two weeks.
Burnout Paradise demo multiplayer expanded
Were you impressed by the Burnout Paradise demo released last month? Just remember, if you weren't impressed by the demo, you're wrong. Whatever your feelings about the demo, you should be interested to know that Criterion and EA are expanding the demo to allow more players on Xbox Live and include more Freeburn challenges. Multiplayer will now allow 8 players (up from 4) and there will be 13 new challenges added. These changes will be available starting today and will continue until January 14th. Well hey, that's just a week before the retail game comes out! Boy, that's some coincidence, huh?[Via Joystiq]
Burnout demo boosted with 8-player support, new challenges
Still not convinced Burnout Paradise was "THE best demo released" last year? Criterion has rubbed some grease on frontman Alex Ward's heaping helping of self-praise by doubling the maximum number of online players (from 4 to 8) and adding 13 new Freeburn Challenges. So does this mean that Burnout is now the best demo of 2008? Quick! Somebody give these guys an award!(Note: The multiplayer boost will take effect on servers between today and Jan. 14th. The demo is available on PSN and Xbox Live.)
Criterion tells gamers why Paradise is perfect
Have complaints about Burnout Paradise after playing the demo? Well, tough! Because Criterion Games doesn't give a hoot and they'll tell you why you should feel guilty about opening your trap to talk bad about their baby.Let's break it down. If you think you can compare Burnout Paradise to other game X then Criterion would say you are WRONG! According to them, this is an all new game, all new experience and it isn't comparable to any other game. Think the "new" crash mode sucks? Noper, Criterion says you haven't played the retail version and has N'Gai Croal linkage to prove that it's the bomb. Feel that not being able to retry an event is lame? Sorry, but your opinion is wrong again. Criterion thought about that, decided it was dumb to retry and hates loading screens so you should too. Get it? Got it? Good. It's easier not to have to think for ourselves. Thanks Criterion![Via Joystiq]
Criterion (cockily) responds to Burnout Paradise criticisms
The PS3 and Xbox 360 demos for Burnout Paradise seem to have been met with largely positive reception, but Criterion is not content to let the few small criticisms fall through the cracks. They're also not content to do so without a little pomp and self-importance, either.In between references to the "experience" of Burnout Paradise, and claims that it's the "best demo released all year," Alex Ward addresses concerns regarding the lack of a "retry" option in the game's races, stating that the game is better off without one, as it would require a load screen, and the Burnout Paradise team "hates loading with a passion." In addition, Ward brings up the former Crash Mode (now called Showtime), promising that it's better than anything ever, and also makes sure to point out that feedback on the demo will in no way affect the final game, as work on Paradise has already wrapped up. Good to know Criterion's open to constructive criticism, eh?[Via GameStooge]
Entire Paradise City map revealed and it's BIG
As part of their Burnout Paradise advent calendar, Criterion just released the city map for Paradise City and trust us guys ... it's BIG! The highways, byways and roads in the city of Paradise intertwine in an expansive mass of roadage that looks to be hundreds and hundreds of miles of crashing turf. Looking over the map one can see that there will be variety of terrain and locations that should keep your interest and put a strain on your street memorization skills. Paradise City will rock kids. It will rock.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
Burnout Paradise features Guns N' Roses, go figure
As you may have guessed, the Guns N' Roses song "Paradise City" will be featured in Burnout Paradise. We suggest you take a moment to register your shock and surprise in the comments section below. It may also interest you to know that Multiplayer has the complete track list for the game, including the classical music that plays during the game's screensaver mode we touched on before. Overall, the soundtrack pulls music from all over the place, from Tchaikovsky to Soundgarden to Twisted Sister. We'll never hear it though, because we'll be too busy rocking out to The Carpenters on our custom soundtrack.[Via Joystiq]
Burnout Paradise soundtrack features Guns N Roses
Guns N Roses probably doesn't rank too high on lists of the "most prolific" or "most dependable" bands of all time. But on a list of bands that get you pumped, or, more specifically, so pumped that you almost jump up and kick your mom in the face, you'd almost certainly find GNR in the top 10. Perhaps realizing the band's inherent pumpitude, EA has requisitioned their track "Paradise City" to serve as the theme song for Burnout Paradise, which takes place in, you guessed it, Paradise City.Of course, Axl won't be by his lonesome (probably for the best, if only so he doesn't drink himself into oblivion), he'll be joined by a bevy of bands like N.E.R.D., Faith No More and Seether. MTV Multiplayer has the full soundtrack listing right here.
Burnout Paradise soundtrack has old Burnout tunes
According to Nukoda, the latest edition of the Crash FM Podcast from Criterion reveals some new details on the Burnout Paradise soundtrack. Specifically, the game will feature every track from Burnout 1 and Burnout 2. Yes, all of them. Not only that, but the soundtrack will feature Burnout 3 music that never made it into the game. Furthermore, the game's screensaver, which is a flyover of Paradise City, will actually feature classical music. After playing the excellent demo, hearing news like this only furthers our belief that Burnout Paradise is really going to get things right. We're eager to try the full version when it releases next month.[Via Nukoda]
Burnout CompUSA ad blunder
CompUSA ... what can we say about you and your business practices? You're such a silly company, especially when it comes to your marketing. Last week news broke that all of your CompUSA stores were closing and that you were liquidating all your merchandise because your financials weren't in order. And now we're coming to an understanding of why. It's because you spent your entire 2007 marketing budget on a Burnout Paradise in-game ad. The CompUSA billboard ad can be seen in the Paradise demo and everytime we drive by one we can't help but chuckle to ourselves. Maybe you should ask EA for some of your money back since your stores don't really exist anymore or at the very least get them to change the graphic to read something like "liquidation sale going on now!" Silly CompUSA.[Thanks, Blake Rampton]
PSN Thursday: Bowled over by Burnout Paradise
PlayStation 3 owners finally have something they can gloat about: not only do they get a demo for Burnout Paradise, but they also get it a week before any Xbox 360 owners using the free Silver membership. Today's PSN update also includes new Rock Band DLC as well as new bowlers for last week's High Velocity Bowling, costing one Washington apiece.If you don't want to worry about unlocking Need for Speed Pro Street, you can spare yourself the gameplay for a meager $2.49 to $9.99. Full update list after the break.
Demo-rama: Frontlines, Burnout Paradise samples are Live
Falling just a bit behind "Nudie Magazine Day", new demo day has to be one of the best holidays that the federal government has yet to recognize. What makes it even better is the rarely seen "two-fer," which is what we've got on our hands today, with Burnout Paradise and Frontlines: Fuel of War samples both landing squarely in the center of Xbox Live.We've heard nothing but positive buzz about Burnout, but we're a little unsure what to expect from Frontlines. So far, commenters on Major Nelson's blog have been less than kind, calling the demo "really bad", "bad, very bad" and "a bit rubbish." But hey, that's why demos are free, so you can try them guilt-free. Don't let the internet decide for you! ... Unless, of course, you're a silver member.Read -- Demo: Frontlines: Fuel of WarRead -- Demo: Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise demo lights XBLM on fire
You've been waiting for it, you've been dreaming about it and now the time has finally arrived. Available for download off the Xbox Live Marketplace is a free roam, car crashing Burnout Paradise demo featuring multiplayer play over Xbox Live. The demo is open to all Xbox Live territories (except Asia) and weighs in at a rather manageable 835MBs. We're definitely queuing this bad boy up for download, how about you?
Burnout Paradise gets new trailer
We're just one day away from the new demo for Burnout Paradise, and we couldn't be more excited. We've stocked up on insurance, filled every part of our cars but the driver's seat with pillows and, of course, told our families goodbye. Now, there is only the waiting, the awful, awful waiting. ... And trying to come up with a good reason why we're wearing a helmet indoors.If you're like us (and millions in market research says you are) we're going to help you ease the waiting with this new clip from the game. Well, it's a clip of the demo of the game. ... OK, fine, we know it's not super-substantial. But if you're counting the seconds to tomorrow, it may just be the scrap of hope you need to live through the night.
Criterion previews the Burnout Paradise demo map
This Thursday, Criterion will be releasing the Burnout Paradise demo to the masses (silver, you'll have to wait a week) and to get you ready they've posted a map preview of the city. Over on Criterion's website they've posted said map which is also viewable above and mention that the demo will include three stunt modes including the new Stunt Run. And of course, entry into each stunt mode will be seamless without loading screens. You know, because loading screens are so last week. Check out the map and get excited, only a few days left and then the Burnout Paradise demo will be here.[Thanks, DjDATZ]
