Electronic Arts COO John Pleasants has revealed that one of the next Need for Speed games will be developed by Criterion Games. The studio is best known for its Burnout franchise and the latest entry – Burnout Paradise – was well known for its vast environment and polished online modes. EA says that it is looking to capitalise on this experience by tasking Criterion with development of an online-centric Need for Speed title.

Criterion Developing Need For Speed Game [G4TV]

In super unexpected news today, Criterion and EA announced that they’ll begin selling the full version of Burnout Parardise on the PlayStation Store later this year. Yeah, that’s the same game you bought back in January, but I’m guessing they’re hoping that by throwing it on the store they’ll get some new customers.

They may well be right. The game will easily slide into the “best games on the PS Store” category in most minds as it doesn’t really have much competition, aside from GT5: Prologue and Theme Hospital. It will be one of the more pricey titles up there however with an asking price of $29.99.

Burnout Paradise – coming to PSN [PlayStation.Blog]