Burnout Paradise
Burnout Paradise | |
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![]() Burnout Paradise Boxart for PlayStation 3. | |
Developer(s) | Criterion Games |
Publisher(s) | Electronic Arts |
Engine | RenderWare |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 |
Release | [1] |
Genre(s) | Racing, Open World |
Mode(s) | Single player, Multiplayer,Multiplayer Online |
Burnout Paradise (formerly known as Burnout 5) is a forthcoming video game in the Burnout series, due for release on January 22, 2008 in North America and January 252008 for Europe[2]. It will be available for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It has a seamless open-world set in the fictional 'Paradise City', with no loading times and no traditional online lobbies or game menus.
Features
According to Alex Ward from developer Criterion Games, this game will be a "complete reinvention" of the Burnout series.[3] He also said "To create truly next-generation gameplay, we needed to create a truly next-generation game, from top to bottom." Despite being in an open world, the game still retains the high 60-frames-per-second frame rate most Burnout games have used.[4] However, compromises such as the lack of day and night cycles and weather conditions have been made. Records will now be kept on player's drivers licenses and there will be statistics such as fastest time and biggest crash for every street in the game. Crash mode has been renamed to Showtime mode.[5] Now, instead of having preset junctions and predetermined traffic patterns, the player may crash in any location in the world, pull both triggers on their controller and activate Showtime mode. Showtime mode can also be activated during events such as Road Rage and Race, even when online. Also, races are no longer specific lengths and types. Races are simply started by pulling up at any of the 120 traffic lights around Paradise City. Multiple settings have been confirmed to be fully customisable[6][7]such as:
- "Boost Rules" - The player may choose Burnout 1, 2, 3 or Revenge style Burnout meters.
- Traffic Checking - Can be turned off so players may not strike and utilise traffic travelling in the same direction as the player as a weapon.
- Whether or not there is traffic in the event.
- Start and finish points for events with up to 16 checkpoints.
The damage system is also being reworked. There are now two different types of crash based on the condition of the car after the crash.[9] If the player's car manages to retain all four wheels, the player may drive out of the crash and continue playing. If a player's car loses its wheels, the car is in a "wrecked" state and the player will have to wait until their car is reset. Cars can also be torn into several pieces, be compressed and deform around objects as you crash into them. However, Alex Ward confirmed in the Official Crash FM podcast that cars may not be ripped in half as concept pictures and early information stated. Also, there is a special edition of the game, including a Steel Wheels version of the Carson GT concept car, which will feature the car with armour plate and supercharger. It is unknown whether police will appear in game.
Cars now have manufacturer and model names, which are loosely based on real-world cars but are mostly fictional (some of the cars are even based on cars from previous Burnout game, i.e. the Hunter Manhattan is the Classic from Burnout 2). Cars may not be "tuned up"[10] or customised apart from color changes, which may be done in real-time by driving through the forecourt of a paint shop which will randomly assign a color to the car. Other real-time changes include driving through the forecourt of a gas station to automatically refill your Burnout meter, and driving through the forecourt of a repair shop to automatically repair your car, allowing you to extend a Road Rage event beyond the car's damage limits.[11]
The online lobby system that most video games feature has been replaced by a far more streamlined system known as "Easy Drive". While driving, players simply hit right on the D-Pad and the Easy Drive menu pops up on the bottom left hand corner of their screen. From there, players are able to invite another player from their friends list. Once friends have joined the game, the hosting player is then able to pick from a variety of events to play.
Mugshots
A "Mugshots" camera feature is available in the Burnout Paradise versions for the PlayStation 3 (using the PlayStation Eye, the PlayStation 2 EyeToy, and other compatible webcams) and Xbox 360 (using the Xbox Live Vision).[12] When a player is taken down, both players will have their photos taken and exchanged. These photos can then be saved to your hard drive.[13] Both versions will allow camera-less persons, or those who do not wish to use their real face, to use their gamertag/PSN avatar, as demonstrated in the downloadable game demos.[14]
Demo
A demo featuring a Hunter Cavalry, a Nakamura Ikusa GT[15] (only available in the Japanese version of the demo), a stunt run, 2 races, 4 player online capability, and 9 online challenges (three each for 2, 3, and 4 players) was made available on December 13, 2007 for both PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Store and Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Marketplace. [16][14]
As of January 4, Criterion Games have announced that between January 4th and January 14th the maximum number of players for the online freeburn in the Paradise demo will double to 8 players. With it, 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. [17]
References
- ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=88912
- ^ http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=88912
- ^ Billy Berghammer (August 29, 2006). "Burnout 5 Crashin' Up PS3 And Xbox 360 In 2007". GameInformer.
- ^ Criterion Games (August 19, 2007). "Official Crash FM Podcast (Episode 2)".
- ^ Jeremy Dunham (July 8, 2007). "Burnout 5 is Paradise". IGN.
- ^ Criterion Games (September 2, 2007). "Official Crash FM Podcast (Episode 4)".
- ^ Chris Roper (April 30, 2007). "Burnout 5 is Paradise". IGN.
- ^ "IGN Review". IGN.
- ^ IGN (July 11, 2007). "Craig Sullivan Video Interview". IGN.
- ^ Criterion Games (August 26, 2007). "Official Crash FM Podcast (Episode 3)".
- ^ Tom Bramwell (September 3, 2007). "Eurogamer's First Impressions". Eurogamer.
- ^ "EA Revs Up Burnout Paradise With Innovation and Style" (PDF). Electronic Arts. September 21, 2007. p. 2. Retrieved 2007-09-23.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ Jeff Gerstmann (July 12, 2007). "E3 '07 - Hands On". IGN.
- ^ a b http://www.gamespot.com/ps3/driving/burnout5/news.html?sid=6183701&om_act=convert&om_clk=newlyadded&tag=newlyadded;title;1
- ^ "Criterion Crash FM Podcast Episode 14 part 2 @ 19:37". Retrieved 2008-01-08.
- ^ Brendan Sinclair (October 26, 2007). "Burnout Paradise slams into stores January 22". GameSpot.
- ^ Criterion Games (January 4, 2008). "Burnout Paradise Demo Supports 8 Players". Criterion Games.