EA has done something revolutionary which we all knew was inevitable. EA has made the first ever 3rd party downloadable game. Criterion Games will be releasing Burnout Paradise for the PlayStation Network at a price of $29.99 and is scheduled for this fall. It’s pretty amazing to see a game with the sheer size of Burnout and we’ll just be able to download it. 

This is not good news for Gamestop. There really isn’t a chance for the video game retailer to continue to grow with their present business structure. A great example of something similar to this is the record industry. When we were growing up, how many music stores were there? Where I grew up, I could count around 5-6. Now there are only two. We can all thank Apple’s iTunes for that one. The same thing is going to eventually happen to gaming. Read the press release after the break.

BURNOUT PARADISE LAUNCHES ON PLAYSTATION NETWORK

’Year of Paradise’ Heralds Direct to Consumer Revolution as Criterion Games Introduces

PLAYSTATION®3 Trophy System and Motorcycles

Redwood City, CA – Aug 14, 2008 – Criterion Games, a studio of Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) today announced that the Platinum-hit driving game Burnout™ Paradise will be available to download from the US PLAYSTATION®Network via the PLAYSTATION®Store for $29.99 this Fall. Winner of over 55 awards worldwide, the downloadable version of Burnout Paradise will incorporate all of the recent updates that Criterion Games has delivered directly to consumers.

Burnout Paradise offers hours of intense, high action driving in a stunning open-world that can be experienced both in single player and socially online with your friends — but the fun does not end there. Earlier this year, Criterion Games kicked off ‘The Year of Paradise’ at www.criteriongames.com. The Year of Paradise is a year-long direct-to-consumer program where Criterion Games regularly releases new game-changing downloadable content that is designed to evolve the game beyond its initial retail release. The first update is available now (August), free of charge* through the PLAYSTATION Network and Xbox LIVE® Marketplace, and includes three new game modes, new cars and 70 new multi-part challenges, extending the game with hours of new gameplay. 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 game-changing downloadable content is coming this Fall for Burnout Paradise, including trophy support and motorcycles free of charge* through the PLAYSTATION Network and Xbox LIVE Marketplace.

Fiona Sperry, Studio Manager for Criterion Games said, “Our mission at Criterion is to provide the most entertaining gaming service possible. In order to do that, it’s key that we have the ability to deliver content to players in ways that work for them – through quick and easy download or via traditional bricks and mortar. For us, the fun is in playing the game with friends and constantly discovering new surprises in the world. Download packs with meaningful new gameplay are the perfect way for us to keep entertaining fans and keep them playing, even months after launch.”

Burnout Paradise is now available on the PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system and Xbox 360® videogame and entertainment system for the greatest hits/classics price of $29.99 in North America. The game is rated E10+ by the ESRB and 3+ by PEGI. For more information about Burnout Paradise, please visit http://criteriongames.com.