137w ago - As a follow-up to the EA chat from last week, today SCEE Blog Manager James Gallagher has shared a Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit PS3 interview with Criterion Games.

To quote: I've been to some swanky venues and have taken part in some extravagant PR events in my time here at SCEE, so it's refreshing when a publisher keeps things simple.

That's exactly what EA did last week when it invited me and a few other bloggers and journalists to their Guildford offices with an undemanding itinerary: fizzy drinks, pizza and Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

In-between drifting at 200MPH, taking down street racers with spike strips and crashing sports cars that I'll never afford, I grabbed an interview with the game's creative director, Craig Sullivan.

Why is Criterion making a Need for Speed game all of a sudden?

While we were making the last Burnout game, in every interview we would be asked: "so when are you guys going to make a Need for Speed game?" I've been a big fan of the series since the original in 1994; in fact, I'd say that game is the reason I decided to get into the games industry.

We'd reached a point where Criterion (Games)...

152w ago - Social Media Manager Jeff Rubenstein has posted up some highlights courtesy of Criterion Games of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit from E3 2010 today, as follows:

Our good friends Criterion are tasked with developing the next NFS title, Hot Pursuit, and it's already looking like a change for the best.

James chatted with the team - presumably over tea - to find out more about what the Burnout Paradise devs have planned in Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.

One of the games attracting the most attention at E3 was EA's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit; the first title in the series developed by the people behind Burnout, Criterion Games.

James Deverill and Doug McConkey of that team gave me a demonstration of the game and it's clear that they're looking to return to the roots of a series that has gone through many changes since it first arrived way back in 1994.

"I remember playing Need for Speed even before working in the games industry," said Deverill. "Three things stood out for me then: it had the coolest cars on the planet, it had amazing highways to drive them on and there were cops pursuing you. It's these three active ingredients, in particular, that we want to bring back with our game."

232w ago - Here's what you already know: Burnout Paradise™ The Ultimate Box will be arriving on PC in Feb 2009.

Like both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, this product combines the original Burnout Paradise with all the incredible support content we've developed so far! That means our Cagney Pack update, the Bikes Pack and the forthcoming Party Pack are all included.

Here's what you didn't know - anyone will be able to trial the game for FREE.

When the full game's released in Feb '09, we want all our PC players to be sure it runs perfectly on their system, before they commit to buying it. We also love the game and feel confident that if you try it, you'll want to sign up for more!

But there's a lot of game to show you!

In Burnout Paradise, you're free to explore a massive city, loaded with fun things to do and places to go. Pull up at any of the 120 junctions to start one of 5 event types - Burning Route, Marked Man, Stunt Run, Race and Road Rage.

See if you can find the beach, quarry, dirt track and airfield playgrounds spread through our five boroughs. The city also morphs seamlessly into an online world anytime you want to hook up with your friends and cruise around beating challenges.

So rather than restricting...

235w ago - Today, we're announcing the incredible new Carson Extreme Hotrod.

We'll be back in the New Year with all the details on this powerhouse racer, but for now we're keeping it under wraps.

We could tell you that it's the fastest car in Paradise City - a stripped down, ultra low, overpowered straight line monster.

We could talk about its roots in American Rat Rod culture and it's wildly exaggerated Hot Rod features, based on a '20s Roadster.

We could explain that we've rewired Burnout's vehicle dynamics system, so it handles more intuitively and drifts more realistically than any other car.

We could reveal that it's the first of a pack of 2 cars designed to re-imagine Burnout Boost. Which explains the blue exhaust flames.

We could do all that, but we don't want to give away too much. For now, all you really need to know is that this car will give you the ride of your life and in early 2009 you will NEED to own it.

The Carson Extreme Hotrod. Light the touch paper and hang on for dear life.

We'll be back with movies, screens, more info and interviews with the creators on this and the "other" boost car that will be available to buy as part of our Burnout™ Paradise Boost Specials Pack in 2009.

Just...

236w ago - The Toys are Back Town! It's Week 3 of our 6 week Burnout Paradise 2009 blow-out! If you missed out our last exciting announcements, you can see them all here, in our Coming Soon area.

This week, we're showing the Burnout cars as you've never imagined them - Toy cars are taking over Paradise City.

Below is a screenshot to get you in the mood.

Regular Burnout fans will recognise 5 Paradise City classics - the Carson GT Concept P12, the Kreiger Racing WTR, the Hunter Takedown 4x4 and the Hunter Manhatten, but there are 9 awesome vehicles in this range.

We promised we'd take you into uncharted territory! In 2009, Burnout Paradise is taking a journey into the unknown. If you want to join us, just pick up a copy of Burnout Paradise on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360, take it online and take you pick from the year's downloadable packs.

We'll be releasing these Special Edition Burnout Collectibles in '09.