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Criterion Collection heading to Blu-ray
How did we miss this news? Thankfully, reader Simstim sent us a tip about the esteemed Criterion Collection moving to Blu-ray. Film buffs know the Criterion Collection houses some of the most treasured films, and each volume in the collection is handled with meticulous care. The quality of the packaging and video transfer is something true videophiles can appreciate.Expect the first discs to begin rolling out in October: The Third Man Bottle Rocket Chungking Express The Man Who Fell to Earth The Last Emperor El Norte The 400 Blows Gimme Shelter The Complete Monterey Pop Contempt Walkabout For All Mankind The Wages of Fear
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.
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.
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.
Criterion Collection coming to Blu-ray in October
The Criterion Collection's long-awaited HD debut -- delayed by that annoying format war -- finally has a date, as well as a list of the first movies getting a definitive release in 1080p. If that wasn't enough, try this bit on for size: They won't charge viewers extra for the privilege. That's right, according to the e-mail that went out to subscribers today, all Blu-ray releases will feature HD picture and sound (no word on what codecs, although we expect nothing but the best considering the company has been mastering and restoring all releases in HD for years now), all the supplemental content and a matching (unspecified) price to their standard DVD editions. The complete email and list of a dozen movies follows after the break, along with a note that The Last Emperor will also be released in its original theatrical version on both formats for $39.95, while Walkabout will be an all-new edition.[Thanks, Erik]
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 getting motorcycles, night driving this August
The Burnout franchise, visceral as it is, has always shied away from real carnage by removing the human element altogether, what with cars driving and mangling each other as if channeling Herbie. That looks to be changing, however, with Criterion announcing a planned update to the game this August codenamed "Davis" that will introduce motorcycles -- complete with human drivers -- to the crash-centric streets of Paradise City. According to the developer, the bikes will get their own modes and challenges, as well as new locations designed to suit their two-wheeled shenanigans, though we hope against hope for the ragdoll hilarity that would be the game's Showtime mode for those riding a bike. In addition, the update will also see the sun setting on Paradise City for the first time with night time racing, no doubt increasing the number of head-on collisions as motorcycle enthusiasts skid along the pavement at record distances.[Via PS3 Fanboy]
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%
Burnout Paradise for PS3 getting custom soundtracks
On top of the previously announced three new online modes to be introduced in Burnout Paradise's so-called "Cagney" software update, developer Criterion has revealed that the forthcoming download will also level the pavement between the open-world racer's two console versions, finally bringing custom soundtracks to Burnout Paradise for the PS3.After the update, PS3 owners will be able to get at their own music using the game's Easy Drive in-game menu, allowing them to cycle through their own collection of tunes while trying to avoid careening into oncoming traffic. Even better, this update, welcome as it is, is just one of several Criterion has planned this year, ensuring many repeat visits to the junk yard in the months ahead.
Burnout Paradise custom soundtracks to come in Cagney update
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.
Burnout Paradise Bogart Update hits early
It seems Criterion isn't any kind of slouch with their downloadable content, it's free, it's coming more often and they've been keeping us informed about it. Now they're doing us one better and releasing their "Bogart" update early. So early that it's online now in fact. The Bogart update contains a whole host of little things, and shouldn't be confused with the Cagney update that includes the new game modes (what's with the old-school actor names anyway?). Bogart huh? We'll take it: "Here's looking at you, kid" now g'won, get downloading.
Three new Burnout Paradise modes to Freeburn to
Over on Criterion Games' official website, they posted details about some new game modes that are headed to Burnout Paradise in the near future as part of the game's Cagney update which shouldn't be confused with next week's Bogart update. The three new Freeburn game modes showcased (other new additions will be announced in the future) are Online Stunt Run, Online Road Rage and Online Marked Man. We conveniently posted a description of each Freeburn game mode after the break for your reading enjoyment, but we must say that Online Road Road seems like a crash fest of fun where teamwork is rewarded by seeing chunks of car peel from your opponents' car body as if they were part of an orange rind. Criterion promises more Cagney update info and new Freeburn race modes sometime soon'ish.
Burnout Paradise 'Cagney' update to include three new online modes
With about seven days until Burnout Paradise's second update, codenamed Bogart, and just over a week since promising to transform the game's crash-centric Paradise City through a series of downloadable content updates, Criterion has announced that it is currently kicking the tires on three new FreeBurn game modes, adding online flavor to Stunt Run, Road Rage, and Marked Man. According to Criterion, the online variants of both Stunt Run and Road Rage will support up to eight players at a time, while the number of drivers supported by Marked Man has not yet been specified. The trio of modes will be lumped in with the first of three previously announced expansion islands, codenamed "Cagney," and while no release date has been announced Criterion has confirmed that we can expect all three to pull up to the stoplight over "the next 12 months."
Burnout Paradise to expand 'over the next 12 months,' three new game modes detailed
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.%Gallery-12560%
