Burnout Paradise starts Party planning

Criterion Games cranks out more DLC for hit racer, but upcoming offline multiplayer mode won't come free; Ultimate Box brings add-ons to retail.

Ever since Burnout Paradise launched in January, developer Criterion Games has supported the game with a wealth of free downloadable content, adding in new gameplay modes, challenges, cars, changing weather patterns, nighttime driving, and motorcycles. Although the flow of DLC for the game will continue, it appears that the gravy train is pulling to a stop.

Burnout Paradise Party brightens up the game's visuals.

Electronic Arts and Criterion Games today revealed Burnout Paradise Party, the latest update to the game. The add-on will be available for purchase as downloadable content or at retail in Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box, a new version of the original game that also includes all previously released updates.

Although the core game's multiplayer focus has always been online, Burnout Paradise Party is an offline party-game mode. Up to eight players will be able to compete against each other in dozens of short games ranging from time trials to stunt challenges. The Party add-on also overhauls the game's visuals to be brighter and more colorful. Criterion also announced the Burnout Paradise Network, which was vaguely described as a PlayStation 3-exclusive in-game browser and "social innovation."

Burnout Paradise The Ultimate Box will launch on the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC in February of 2009, alongside the downloadable version of the Party mode and the Burnout Paradise Network. For more on the game, check out GameSpot's review of the original Burnout Paradise.

94 Comments

  • TreyTable

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 12:30 pm PT

    Also funny how the PC versions of games like GTA4 and such as one member mentioned are coming to the PC. I remember when the best games came to PC first.

  • TreyTable

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 12:26 pm PT

    The game that keeps on giving. Strange, since Burnout Paradise was developed for the PS3, then ported to the XBOX 360, the online players are drying up on the PS3 (no doubt for Motorstorm: Pacific Rift) but you can still find players on the XBOX 360. I guess it just has to do with there are more paying Live Gold users than PSN for FREE users. Go figure?

  • hea420ven

    Posted Nov 15, 2008 2:46 am PT

    BurnOut is burned out . The disappointing Bike pack which doesn't allow you to race bikes in online races you create or do stuntruns means once finished in the less than 24 hours to complete the challenges since they are on seperate servers from the cars there is absolutely nothing more to do on bikes. Go on the PS3 network & you'll likely see less than 10 groups of games going on. Very few people still racing or doing stuntruns mostly just finishing up challenges that most have completed. I've played through the whole game twice there's nothing much left to do & fewer people still playing. Best part of BurnOut was the online social aspect but since most people with headsets have moved on its getting quiet & repetitive. Unless they turn this into Road Rash, add ways to customize cars or a few 100 more challenges & more driving area as large as the original it's basically time to move on to the next thing for everyone.

  • kerching

    Posted Nov 4, 2008 12:42 am PT

    well i think they should just make a new burnout now.. never did like this one (even with the updates)

  • raiden_mgs2

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 1:44 pm PT

    awesome this game just keeps getting better and better

  • coruscant

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 10:22 am PT

    This sounds like a good addition to the game, as I was really disappointed with the lack of offline multiplayer.

  • ClassicPlayer

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 10:01 am PT

    I was going to ask for Burnout Paradise for X-Mas, might as well wait to get the full deal

  • Macri

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 8:45 am PT

    hey Ospov.. if you hate night driving, just turn it off DUH!

  • xtiansk8

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 8:10 am PT

    I'll buy this. I'm glad I waited for this, because I can't buy downloadable content unless it's free, so then I will just buy it with the mode already installed.

  • Ospov

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 7:17 am PT

    I might get this just to make the game brighter. i hate driving at night...even when i turn up the brightness it still sucks.

  • taylormadederek posted Nov 3, 2008 6:39 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    taylormadederek

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 6:39 am PT (hide)

    PC is pooh. This is yawn. Back to Fallout 3.

  • zgreenwell

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 5:11 am PT

    I guess eight players must be over LAN right?

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 1:12 am PT

    I don't have the game or anything but why didn't they include offline multiplayer in the first place? They are talking local couch multiplayer right?

  • shani_boy101

    Posted Nov 3, 2008 1:11 am PT

    @killa4lyfe
    Burnout games never come for the PC. it ain't NFS.

  • Haunted_shadows

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 11:48 pm PT

    I wonder if the downloadable content version of the update will have all the new graphics with it...
    And will "The Ultimate box" have new Achievements?

  • MindlessTeef

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:13 pm PT

    I was wondering when Criterion will charge for one of these... they couldn't keep making these for free for ever. Can't wait for the PC release, GTA4 comming to PC soon as well... awesome time to be a PC gamer

  • Bearwolfe

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 9:51 pm PT

    They whine because they have gotten all the DLC thus far for free...Now that Criteron puts out an Add on that cost money NOW all of the sudden people start griping.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 9:48 pm PT

    EA didnt alienate anyone dingaling ... you already bought the game

  • Mike_Labeckio

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 9:46 pm PT

    Read the artical again please. It clearly states ADD-ON. Not update, or patch. Oh and just incase some of you are missguided, You don't HAVE TO buy this, totally up to you the consumer. Just like everything else that is pay-for-content. I don't hear to many people whining about GH, or rockband track downloads YOU HAVE TO pay for.

  • Bearwolfe

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 7:18 pm PT

    Listen to all of you complaining that you actually have to PAY for some downloadable content when they have given us a bunch of it for free...get over it and yourselves and quit being cheap...welcome to next gen gaming...this stuff cost money to develop. 3 free updates and 1 more to go and u guys are complaining about 1 update that is gonna cost...what a bunch of weenies

  • drumbreak1

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 6:12 pm PT

    cool

  • Cheesewagon

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 5:53 pm PT

    Nice

  • rddflag

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 4:22 pm PT

    awesome

  • Kowpow

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 3:50 pm PT

    Maybe because it cost money for the company to make the material...

  • Lman94

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 3:38 pm PT

    Playing games offline doesn't the company any money.... why does it cost us money?

  • ryurage

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 1:01 pm PT

    TO:killa4lyfe

    pc version 01/09/2009...

  • tudyniuz

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:12 am PT

    I started playing this game again because of trophies

  • killa4lyfe

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 10:03 am PT

    WHERES THE PC VERSION!!!HUH TELL ME BOUT THAT ONE 1!!!!!I WANT IT NOW!!!

  • otanikun

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 9:46 am PT

    So we have to pay more for upgrades that should have come as DLC? No dice.

  • Guljigit92

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 8:35 am PT

    I love the the fact that they still support this.

  • mattv888

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 5:25 am PT

    Mhmm, never bought the original, due to lack of money at the time =P But this seems like it's really worth it. Buying the game with all the (paid) upgrades for the same price that the original came out, this seems like a good deal =D

  • timbjr

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 3:24 am PT

    Im happy bout this, cuz I cant download at all on my xbox, so I can't get updates for any games. Which sucks so much

  • EnaVRi

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 1:14 am PT

    I'm getting this, because I haven't baught the previous versions

  • JOKER677 posted Nov 2, 2008 1:20 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    JOKER677

    Posted Nov 2, 2008 1:20 am PT (hide)

    damn ea and their greedy company

  • KingSigy posted Nov 1, 2008 11:32 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    KingSigy

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 11:32 pm PT (hide)

    At least its offline, because I would be pissed having to Pay to play online.

  • SkinnyCord

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 10:57 pm PT

    i dont really care for the party add-ons,
    id stick wit the online play

  • filmfreak1138 posted Nov 1, 2008 9:39 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    filmfreak1138

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 9:39 pm PT (hide)

    im just waiting for all those obama ads to go away then I will play this game again... to bad we cant crash through those signs and get a NObama achievment.

    Criterion charging us for what they said would be free DLC is just like what Obama is going to do to us

  • WNxUSA

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 9:21 pm PT

    Depending on how much the DLC costs i'll decide on buying it. If it's $5->10ish or so it'd be worth it but anything over that IMO it's by far out of my willing-to-pay price for it.

    DLC so far is very nice i like it.

  • Flat_Line_____

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 8:52 pm PT

    So, besides local MP they upped the gamma? Doesn't quite look like a "visual overhaul" to me. I Hope people don't buy it just because they think it will have improved graphics or anything.....


    To be honest, I think this is the one download that SHOULD have been free,(or should have been included from the beginning) Because to alot of people local play is pretty important...

  • Drz4tobate

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 8:24 pm PT

    Burnout is really getting it there!! is nice to keep players busy and always updated..

  • Genexi2

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 8:24 pm PT

    Bit interesting that they're porting it to the PC given it'll be the first Burnout released on the platform. I'm more interested in that than the console renditions at this point in time, although I fear they'll butcher it up with bugs, glitches, and performance issues like most other developers.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 7:35 pm PT

    Burnout is getting all the DLC love right now. I started playing again just to get the trofs.

  • Senor_Kami

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 6:59 pm PT

    I wish every game came with even half the DLC Burnout is getting. I don't know why I still haven't bought this game. All the content almost makes me feel dumb for not owning it.

  • trw534

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 2:58 pm PT

    i wish i had that game it looks good

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 2:03 pm PT

    good

  • redhaze02

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 1:56 pm PT

    i agree completely with mad_krips

  • ScottEFresh

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 1:55 pm PT

    I bought Burnout via DL on PSN and it's great. I love having it on the har drive so I can easily swap between it. I've got about 65 hrs into it and can easily say it's one of the most fun racing games ever made. Steal for $29.99 especially if they add on more content.

  • zbdyx

    Posted Nov 1, 2008 12:31 pm PT

    @TXMostWanted

    burnout has trophies

advertisement

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!

Related Game

Burnout Paradise Boxshot
Burnout Paradise
  • Downloadable Game

Game Stats

  • Rank:
    297 of 79,657
    (up by 4)
    PS3 Rank:
    52 of 950
    Tracking:
    3,697 Track It»
    Wishlists:
    1,921 Wish It»
  • Users Now Playing:
    1,985
  • Number of Players:

    1 Player, 8 Online | Offline Modes: Competitive

  • Top 5 User Tags:
    1. burnout
    2. burnout paradise
    3. racing
    4. paradise
    5. criterion games
  • Everyone 10+ Rating Description

    Titles rated E10+ (Everyone 10 and older) have content that may be suitable for ages 10 and older. Titles in this category may contain more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language and/or minimal suggestive themes. Learn more

Full Game Details »Close
Also on

Related Games

Recent News

See All News »

Site Blogs