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Airplanes in Burnout Paradise?
As Criterion Games wraps up development on the soon-to-be-released Cagney update for Burnout Paradise, the team is already experimenting with what future updates could bring to the title. Previously announced bikes, night-time driving and a new island have been revealed as key additions coming to the game but now Criterion has revealed the team is experimenting with airplanes. Continuing the developer's admiration for high speed, planes could be an interesting addition to the series but it doesn't appear that anything is set in stone just yet.Until then we'll make do with the 3 new online modes, 70 online timed challenges, ranked racing improvements and live updates page all releasing for free with the Cagney update, which has been pushed to July 14.[via Big Download]
Burnout's Cagney update delayed a few days
Criterion recently announced some "bummer" news regarding Burnout Paradise's upcoming Cagney update, saying that it will not release on July 10th as originally planned. Tear. Due to the Microsoft certification process taking longer than expected, Criterion confirmed that the Paradise's Cagney title update will roll out a few days later, on Monday, July 14th. The PS3 Cagney release will not be affected. So, you can look forward to some hot Cagney update action on the 14th, bringing with it three new freeburn modes, 70 freeburn challenges, new vehicles and a laundry list of gameplay tweaks.
Burnout Paradise Cagney update not delayed for PS3
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.
Burnout Paradise to receive retroactive PlayStation Trophies
With nine days to go until Criterion's crazy-fast racer gets an infusion of new content via the "Codename: Cagney" update, designer Simon Phipps has confirmed on the PlayStation Blog that the game will also receive support for PlayStation Trophies "soon." He says that Trophy support won't be part of "Cagney," which will introduce 70 timed Freeburn challenges for the game's online component. In a surprise turn, Phipps also revealed that Criterion was "thinking ahead" and the Trophies will, in fact, be retroactive, meaning that players will receive them for feats already performed in the game. This is, according to Phipps, possible because of the way Burnout Paradise save data is linked to players' PSN accounts, which also means it won't be happening in other PS3 games en masse.
Trophies coming to Burnout Paradise 'soon'
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.
PS3 Burnout: Paradise "Cagney" update adds 1080i support
Gamers stuck with an older HDTV that doesn't support 720p input can cheer for the upcoming Burnout: Paradise "Cagney" update, which adds (among other things) 1080i output support for the PlayStation 3 version. Dismissively referring to such sets "almost HD", Simon Phipps of Criterion dropped the details on the free update due July 10 that also adds improved SD rendering on the PS3 and support for custom soundtracks. It'd be nicer if that slick 2.40 update added Xbox 360-style scaling for all games so developers didn't to expend the effort, but from the sounds of things it's not high on Sony's list of priorities.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
Details on upcoming Burnout Paradise 'Cagney' update
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.%Gallery-12560%
Criterion softens PC 'Paradise' with ambient occlusion
When Criterion Games announced that it was building a version of Burnout Paradise "specifically" for the PC, our minds raced with ideas of what the devs might have in store of armchair racers unable to break away from their keyboard and mouse. While we're still in the dark concerning the port's "expanded multiplayer, enhanced online features, and community driven content," Criterion has softened those shadows by announcing that the PC version will support some fancy techno-babble known as 'ambient occlusion.'Wondering what this will mean for you as you're barreling down the streets of Paradise City? We'll let Criterion explain: "It's an effect that uses soft shadows to add extra depth. Enclosed spaces naturally receive less light than open spaces and look darker – that helps us to see how close objects are to each other." We'll be honest, just judging by the above comparison shot it's difficult for our eyeballs to tell much of a difference, though admittedly Burnout Paradise was already easy on the eyes. Besides, shadows are the last thing on our mind as we smash headlong into the concrete median.
Deal of the Day: Burnout Paradise $40 everywhere [Update]
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!Update: Looks like this was a universal price drop. Burnout Paradise is also $40 at amazon.com, Best Buy, buy.com, Circuit City, Gamestop.[Thanks, Juan P.!]
Burnout Paradise's Cagney update gets dated
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.
Burnout Paradise Cagney patch releases July 10th
Earlier this morning, Criterion revealed that the second Burnout Paradise patch dubbed "Cagney" will be made available on Thursday, July 10th. With it, Cagney will bring new newness to the Burnout Paradise world, including three additional freeburn modes (Road Rage, Stunt Run and Marked Man), 70 new freeburn challenges, new vehicles, the addition of custom tracks and a ginormous list of gameplay tweaks and fixes. Not bad. Looking out a bit further, we still have motorcycles coming via the Davis patch in August as well as an island expanding Eastwood patch releasing sometime this Fall. As the saying goes, if you're a Paradise developer, you're a busy developer.
Criterion dates Burnout Paradise 'Cagney' update
Burnout Paradise's forthcoming "Cagney" patch will peel out on Thursday, July 10 according to developer Criterion Games, finally letting Paradise City motorists take the game's Stunt Run, Road Rage, and Marked Man events online in FreeBurn.The previously announced update will also introduce 70 new FreeBurn challenges, a handful of new liveries, a trunk full of bug fixes, and a pair of new vehicles just waiting to be wrapped around a light pole. Once applied, PS3 drivers can also look forward to finally being able to orchestrate their crashes to custom soundtracks. As the first of three new expansion islands, "Cagney" looks to include plenty to keep our four wheels spinning, at least until August when we begin to send motorcycles careening onto oncoming traffic.
Deals: Cheap MS points and get Mass Effect free
This week we're all business, because we have an overly long list of retail deals to ramble off. So, we'll forgo the fluffy intro and just get to it. Starting with Best Buy, all this week they're giving away a copy of Call of Duty 3 with the purchase of Enemy Territory: Quake Wars and a free $10 gift card with purchase of The Incredible Hulk. Best Buy also discounted a few accessories, offering the Messenger Kit for $20, Wireless Headset for $50 and Vision Camera for $30. Heading over to Circuit City, you can snag a free $10 gift card with the purchase of either NASCAR 09 or Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit, get the Rock Band bundle for $155 and BioShock or Mass Effect for $32. They're also offering Burnout Paradise for $40, Frontlines: FoW or MX vs. ATV for $48, Need for Speed Carbon for $24 and our favorite CC deal of the week, 1600 Microsoft points for $15. Next up is Target, where they're giving away a FREE copy of Mass Effect with the purchase two of the listed Xbox 360 titles including Ninja Gaiden II ($60), RSV2 ($40), Scene It? ($50), Gears of War ($40), NASCAR 09 ($60) or Assassin's Creed ($40). And finally, because we love our Canadian readers so much, we hopped on over to Best Buy Canada and discovered they're offering two free games with any Xbox 360 console purchase (selection based on one of four game bundles) and a 12 Month Xbox Live subscription card for $50. Now run along and have a spectacular time shopping.
Burnout Paradise Davis new island screenshots
Team Criterion just posted new screenshot love of a just revealed Burnout Paradise island expansion that'll be released as part of the August 2008 Davis update. The same update that'll add motorbikes to Paradise City. You can view all four new island screenshots in the gallery below and before you look, we apologize for their small size. For whatever reason, Criterion doesn't want to shower us with hi-res screenshot magic. Meh! Take in the new Davis island, dream of motorbike exhaust and the tropical sun ... August is almost here!Also, we embedded Criterion's new making-of the fish market video after the break for those of you who get all giddy with excitement over seeing the development cycle in its rawest form.%Gallery-4775%
Burnout 'Bogart' update barrels back to Live
Unbeknownst to us Earthdwellers, a week in Paradise is like really long. 19 days after Criterion assured us that its update to an update would be released "in around a week's time" (by May 2, at least), Burnout Paradise's "Bogart" content has been reissued for Xbox 360 and freed of any totally un-paradise-like frame rate issues. The revised update will auto-download for players connected to Xbox Live. Next up: "Cagney."%Gallery-2874%
EA, Criterion bringing Burnout Paradise to PCs
Console sandbox racer Burnout Paradise will soon be careening into oncoming traffic for PC, as developer Criterion announced this morning that it is rebuilding the title "specifically" to be played on a computer.As the the first Burnout title to make the leap to the kingdom of the keyboard and mouse, Criterion is keeping mum on exactly what about Burnout Paradise is being tweaked in the move, stating only that the version will include "expanded multiplayer, enhanced online features, and community driven content." More information is expected to be announced later this morning as part of a live webcast on the Criterion Games website, so look for more PC-centric street carnage soon.
PS3 Burnout Paradise gets cartography update
For the second time in as many weeks the developers at Criterion have given players of the PS3 version of Burnout Paradise a little extra hug. However, this time, instead of simply leveling the playing field, the devs have announced that they're working on what's called the Save Game Analyser -- a fancy way of letting perfectionists look at what they have and have not accomplished in the game.The feature will let players import Burnout Paradise saves from the PS3 using a USB drive or Memory Stick and onto the official Criterion website in order to view all of their unfinished business on the streets of Paradise City. A post on the Criterion website points out that the developers are putting the final coat of paint on the feature, and while no release date as been announced the post notes that it's expected to go live "imminently," which if we're lucky will give us just enough time to get our Hunter Citizen out of the shop.
Burnout Paradise Bogart update has hidden PS3-only feature
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.
Motorcycles and night driving added to Burnout Paradise this August
Team Criterion is taking a page out of PGR4's book with the announcement that they'll be introducing motorcycles to the Burnout Paradise mix. Just revealed as part of Paradise's August Davis update (which will release after the Bogart and Cagney updates, of course) are motorcycles which will get their own set of challenges, game modes and even some new locations. Joining the introduction of motorcycles, the Davis update will also add the ability to roam the streets at night to let players experience all the night time visual goodness Paradise City has to offer. Come August, motorcycles and darkness get added to Burnout Paradise ... w00tacular![Thanks, to everyone who sent this in]
Burnout Paradise gaining motorcycles, night driving, SUVs, more
Click for high-resolution image. 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.%Gallery-12560%
