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Criterion unveils Burnout extension

  • By Alex Sassoon Coby, GameSpot UK
  • Posted Dec 1, 2008 9:48 am PT

British developer shows first series of images of Big Surf Island, confirms racers will have to pay to play.

While 2008 has had its fair share of great racing games, Burnout Paradise's numerous free updates have helped keep the game in the spotlight since January. New vehicles, a refined online mode, new weather options, and a pack devoted to two-wheeled racing have all held racing fans' interest throughout the year, and it looks like 2009 is going to start in the same vein, albeit less altruistically.

Bring change for the toll.

Bring change for the toll.

While it was originally intended as a free add-on, Criterion has announced that the newly christened Big Surf Island will be a paid-for download when it launches next year. Speaking about the decision to charge for the update, Criterion said, "We never expected to create anything this ambitious for the island, but as it progressed we got more and more excited." Described by the team as "the culmination of everything we learned creating Paradise City," the island is around the same size as the Downtown Paradise area, focusing on the same sort of gameplay to be found Paradise City's current airfield, quarry, and beach, which are dedicated to big jumps and high-speed drifting.

The news follows information about the game's other premium content, the Party Pack, which adds as host of new mainly offline multiplayer modes, and the Legendary Cars pack. Among the four vehicles in that latter are a speedy 1920s-inspired roadster and a Back to the Future Part II inspired hovering DeLorean-esque racer, with two more yet to be revealed.

The Burnout Paradise Ultimate Box will include the Party Pack when it comes out in February, but, confusingly, not Big Surf Island or the Legendary Cars. Prices and dates have not been announced for either the Legendary Cars pack or the island, but preliminary screenshots are available on Criterion's Web site.

69 Comments

  • maxijon

    Posted Aug 31, 2010 11:36 am GMT

    i can remember 6 years ago when need for speed was better than burnout by alot, then in 2007 something happened and burnout stepped up its game while the need for speed crew started losing their creativity, i wonder if this will ever change again but if it deos i dont think it will be anytime soon cause burnout paradise is such a good game cant wait to try on this new add on!

  • dbzshinjlong

    Posted Apr 11, 2009 9:13 pm GMT

    for all of you who are complaining about lack of space on your 20 gig hard drive why dont you go save up some money and buy the 60 gig for used $65 or new for 80$ or save your money and spend 160-180$ for the 120 gig and stop complaining about space. you spend that much on the console and believe me youll be glad you have the 120 gig hard drive in the end anyway its well worth it. i have over 125 games saved with downloadable content averaging about .5 gigs to 2gigs a piece. and i have 89 gigs left and thats including have 50 arcades games full version on my console and everything.

  • jsgamer60

    Posted Mar 30, 2009 6:07 pm GMT

    I don't know about anyone else but I don't mind supporting GOOD games by paying for the updates. What you have to ask yourself is...will Big Surf Island be worth paying a reasonable price for?..well...based on what I've seen so far in the current game...YES! Count me in!

  • SweetMusic

    Posted Dec 15, 2008 5:30 pm GMT

    Ha! Pay to play? No thanks Burn out: Paradise. Midnight Club: Los Angeles is coming out with a map extension that will be 1/3 the size of the current map, which is HUGE already, for FREE.

  • NPX190

    Posted Dec 10, 2008 6:48 pm GMT

    They have put so much into this Burnout game in the series, it makes you wonder if they can ever do it again in a sequel. But I don't think anyone could replicate Paradise. In fact, I think ending it here, and adding more land, and real interesting rides like hover cars are more interesting. For those that don't want to pay, you have to understand they also could stop updating if they wanted to, and then what would we do. However, if Burnout was going to sell something to store shelves, I would of purchased Cagney from the stores, I would need to see this ultimate box first.

  • ScottEFresh

    Posted Dec 3, 2008 12:43 pm GMT

    Best next-gen racer yet.

  • da2g

    Posted Dec 3, 2008 4:04 am GMT

    I have the same problem - no memory space - btw I don`t understand why 120 GB HDD is so expensive while usual HDD`s are 5x cheaper? and WHY there is no 500 GB discs? anyway Paradise is the best arcade racer ever and I will gladly free some space for next addons

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 7:53 pm GMT

    Biggest problem with this game is its starting to take up too much memory on my small 20gb 360 drive!!!

  • snarple_basic

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 7:51 pm GMT

    This game is sick I Hate and Love it at the same time!!!! In the end I hope the next game has more structure to the tracks. I get so mad when I take a road that takes me in the exact opposite direction that I want to go!!!! but i'm still interested in the new Island.

  • ocdog45

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 6:18 pm GMT

    dont know if im still down with this anymore. still the only racing game i will play.

  • Wrecked69

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 12:09 pm GMT

    Burnout Paradise is truly a gift that keeps on giving. For the amount of content the new DLC offers, I dont mind paying at all.

  • Vorodor21

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 11:51 am GMT

    With as much DLC as Criterion has put out for free already, they have every right to charge for something that they've put a lot of work into. That they are even supporting the game still this late is more then anyone had any reason to expect. This is the problem with people, nothing is ever good enough for the mouth breathing masses. Give them a mile and they want another one. If you want to play the update, suck it up, pay the 5 lousy dollars or however much they charge, and quit crying about something so stupid and minor.

  • runstalker

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 10:11 am GMT

    C'mon EA, put all the content in February's Ultimate Box pack. You know it's the right decision.

  • Andy9Beans

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 4:49 am GMT

    I don't mind paying, but I reckon those who don't upgrade may find it hard to play online with those that do... what happens in an online game where the host buggers off to Big Surf Island and others can't? I'm sure Criterion have considered this already but as this one's not for free I'm sure the issue will be resolved in the favour of those who do upgrade.

  • Bradley7777

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 4:46 am GMT

    I think it is really stupid that they are making people pay for the add-ons. We ha d ayear of free updates. THATS WHAT THE FANS WANT!!! They dont want to pat £40 for the game then (speculating) another £5 to £10 pounds for another update. Come on Crterion do we really need to be charged more money??

  • nacho117214

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 3:44 am GMT

    @shark2k6

    Let me have my dream.

  • KBABZ

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 2:00 am GMT

    I don't mind paying for it, so long as it's not outrageous like some other EA Titles (Like PGA Tour 09. $30 for ONE FREAKING COURSE!?!). Fortunately Criterion hasn't caught EA Syndrome.

    As said, complaining that you have to pay for it is just stupid. Come to realize that, as great as the previous packs were, they were quite small. The Bikes was small, Weather Small, Cagney as a whole was small, the toy cars will be small (pun not intended). But Big Surf Island is something completely different. This is something that needs to be bug-tested and treated like a natural part of the game. That costs people's energies and companies can't make as much money off a title after a year. The Legendary Cars also need to be paid for due to the rights that need to be paid out (such as the 88 Special, for instance).

    Finally, GET OVER the freeroam. We're not talking NFS Toy Racing Physics here, it's still Burnout making you feel like your eyes are gonna get ripped out when you boost. In many ways the Freeroam is better than the walled tracks because you can go wherever on the 'track' you want to, rather than be limited to a forced circuit when you know you could keep on the freeway (now you can).

  • Armor_Biff

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 1:05 am GMT

    This is much better than releasing a new game (expensive patch) every year. Looking forward for the new island and will buy it as soon as it is available.

  • dark_atlantican

    Posted Dec 2, 2008 12:43 am GMT

    A Back to the Future Part II inspired hovering DeLorean-esque racer. Ha! Awesome!

  • xdeiri

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 11:24 pm GMT

    this open city style just sucks

  • Harerazer

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 9:51 pm GMT

    The best racing game on the planet gets better. Thanks Criterion. All companies should learn from you.

    -signed a loyal customer now and forever

  • chappy_man

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 9:20 pm GMT

    Ultimate Box sounds prety good even without the other parts besides whats a little more money for something good :p

  • SonicTheMonkey

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 5:44 pm GMT

    I think that's really cool that Criterion has been able to keep their January release title this current with the gaming community--and largely for free! I hope that more developers will follow their lead and show this much devotion and support for their games (and Paradise is a great game at that).

  • digitalgawd

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 5:25 pm GMT

    With as much free content that criterion has offered up to owners of Burnout Paradise, i dont feel bad one bit forkin over some more dollars in their direction. I cant seem to recall the last time any other developer offered up so much free content, i dont see why people are complaining of this, did Call of Duty 4 give you anything for free? Halo 3 give you anything for free? did Gears of War? exactly. those are HUGE hits that could have easily afforded to give the owners of such titles free content, and by content i dont make a lame gamerpic or a theme, some of you will say, well halo 3 did give us free maps, so did gears of war, but not immediately, it was all pay for content and after 6 months it became free. Criterions past updates have all been available free to everyone, free of charge from day one.
    I personaly cant wait, bring on more DLC!!!!
    & for those of you unhappy about the fact it wont be free, no one is forcing you to buy anything, if you do its because you want the content badly enough. But no one is making you give Criterion more $.

  • ratavaquera

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 5:09 pm GMT

    i dont have this game, but dont get mad about non-free content..

    they have made a lot of free downloads, its their time to get more money so they can do it again (free stuff).

    Simple

  • shark2k6

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:56 pm GMT

    Man some of you people need to use your brains. While it does suck that Criterion was boasting about the Island being free, you do realize that people are working on these updates, right? People that need to make money so they can support themselves and their families. Yes, it would have been nice if the Island stayed free like they originally intended, but it wouldn't be as awesome as it is going to be now that it is paid content.

    You all also seem to be under the distinct impression that Criterion is under some contractual obligation to give you free DLC. I didn't realize buying their game meant that, oh wait, that's because it doesn't. If you don't want to buy the Island, don't buy it, nobody is making you. Criterion didn't need to make the Bike Pack or the Cagney Pack free (the trophies are debatable for various reasons).

    Criterion is doing a lot more than most developers seem to be doing on top of the fact that they actually seem to care about the DLC. And media mind, what the hell are you smoking? Your comment doesn't make sense. You are trying to compare DLC to videos on Youtube? That is completely different. DLC requires developers to put time into the content, which means programmers writing codes (which tends to be a little time consuming). Youtube hosts videos done by anyone but they have the ability to have ads people can click on to generate revenue. How in the hell would that work for DLC? It wouldn't. DLC is either going to be free or paid and it's going to be up to the developer.

    And to nacho, if you go to Criterions website and read about the Party Pack, it does not have anything to do with Crash Mode. It is basically the online challenges, but you pass the controller to each player.

    -Shark2k

  • cesarox

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:36 pm GMT

    I need a split screen in Burnout Paradise.... Its soooo cool play with friends.

  • nacho117214

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:33 pm GMT

    I hope the Party Pack equals the return of Crash mode.

  • Cactus_Matt

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:31 pm GMT

    I'm happy to pay a couple of dollars for this island after they've given us so much for free previously.

  • Mini-15

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:24 pm GMT

    "the Party Pack, which adds as host of new mainly offline multiplayer modes" Does that mean that there will finally be split screen 2 player?

  • ropumar

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 4:14 pm GMT

    You guys preferred they released Burnout:paradase city2 or burnout 2009, or burnout substance, or burnout:GOTY or burnout Enhanced edition, adding only bikes, some cars and the new area but charged 60$ again...?
    That was the way it was and sitll are for some devs.

    I really can't understand some complains ...

  • ShadowXStorm

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:31 pm GMT

    Aslong as its high quality to add to an already great game mind as well spend the few bucks, and get it its a win, win help to economy, help waste your free time.

  • TXMostWanted

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:27 pm GMT

    So wait...two players can now do split screen for Paradise!?

  • zool152004

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:22 pm GMT

    Awesome, a new island... Getting it for free would have been amazing but i'd be willing to pay for it, after all the free updates how can you complain?

    Oh and someone mentioned youtube, it's more expensive to make content then to host over people's

  • supercrazyhorse

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:11 pm GMT

    I didn't plan on getting this game when it came out but now that it costs 30 buck plus all of the updates, it has caught my eye. I will definitely pick this one up soon.

  • jrabbit99

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 3:10 pm GMT

    whatever, i understand the need to put a price on it.

  • flameducky

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:59 pm GMT

    Here we go again. More DLCs.

  • greenhillscone

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:58 pm GMT

    ace, cant wait 4 this, burnout rules

  • Ticklethis275

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:43 pm GMT

    Release date?

  • hillelslovak

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:39 pm GMT

    They've given us so many free updates, you ant expect them to keep updating an already awesome game over and over again for free......

  • Media_Mind

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:33 pm GMT

    I, no matter what, want any download to be free. Even if the game deserves it. I figure if youtube and other search sites get there dough through 'hits' why not DLC. They'd probably get more downloads for free than not.

  • Nexeus

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:14 pm GMT

    Way to make one of the best arcade racers/racers in general of all time even better. Kudos criterion. Cant wait to play the next one

  • Anti_Roxas

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 2:02 pm GMT

    I'm happy to pay for this. I don't know of any other company that wouldn't charge for the thing Criterion have already given us. Looking forward to the DeLorean more than anything though

  • MFazio23

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:53 pm GMT

    It's a small bummer that they're charging for the area now, but I don't blame them at all. They've done a phenomenal job supporting BP so far, so it's only fair they get a little extra revenue back from their hard work.

  • ropumar

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:34 pm GMT

    They added trophies and bikes for free. Complaining now is just cheap, when you compare with other developers.

  • ropumar

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:32 pm GMT

    Criterion done more than enough to deserve to charge for this update.
    They not doing what other developers do adding yearly multiple 60$ sequels with minor improvements.
    Nor are they charging for some DLC they developed before release date, like SCIV darth vader, FPS maps games and like Fable2 just did with its new island. (fable2 whole pub thing, little length and this costly update makes you see how Microsoft handles their published games, and how peter molineux is just obnoxious). Criterion is paving a valve-pc-like support, which is really rare for console games.

  • Templar_Bladema

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:21 pm GMT

    F*** Big Surf Island, I want that DeLorean.

  • jazzyrider

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:16 pm GMT

    not too bad. i'll have to wait for reviews when its out

  • raiden_mgs2

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:15 pm GMT

    its only fair really after they have gave many free updates already ill buy it if its under £10

  • DarkEclipse533 posted Dec 1, 2008 1:12 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    DarkEclipse533

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 1:12 pm GMT (hide)

    if its dlc i wont buy it

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