Download 'Burnout,' Kill Used Game Sales?

Criterion Games, makers of the hit Burnout racing series, has announced that Burnout: Paradise will be available to download in full on the PlayStation Network for $29.99 this fall. The downloadable version will incorporate all of the recent major updates to the game as well as all the hours of intense, high-action driving that Burnout devotees have become accustomed to.

Earlier this year, Criterion kicked off the "Year of Paradise" event, which involves frequent new game-changing downloadable content designed to evolve the game beyond its initial retail release. The first update's available now, free of charge through PSN and Xbox Live, and includes three new game modes, additional cars, and 70 new multipart challenges. The download pack also introduces a live news page where players can track their game progress and find out news on upcoming online multiplayer events.

More of that free downloadable content is coming this fall, including Trophy support for the PS3 and motorcycles. Best of all, these major upgrades will be included as part of the download for the PSN version of Paradise. Those who already have the retail release don't need to think about it much, but for gamers who haven't yet taken their first trip to Paradise City, perhaps they'll give it some new thought once the game's available in downloadable form.

More importantly, we've got to imagine that a publisher as big as Electronic Arts is smart enough to be taking careful notes on how this release performs. If full downloadable games gives them a new option to fight against the way used-game sales can cut into their profits, you can bet we'll see a lot more offers like this in the future.