The next instalment in EA’s chart-topping Burnout series has been named and dated – it will be called Burnout Paradise, and will arrive on PS3 and Xbox 360 this ‘winter’, no doubt in time for Christmas.

Fronting the promised feature list is an open-world racing environment and a radically enhanced crash deformation engine.

“We have been working towards Burnout Paradise for quite some time,” Paradise’s executive producer Pete Hawley stated. “Next generation consoles have opened up a raft of new gameplay opportunities and the Criterion team has leapt at the chance to innovate and raise the bar to an all-new high.

“There are going to be some big surprises and a lot of new features but the core of the game is still pure Burnout. Instant accessibility will be reinforced by innovative on-line capabilities which will see Burnout Paradise smash racing conventions.’’

Paradise will differ from earlier instalments of the series in that rather than offering a series of levels, players will be invited to explore the game world to discover the ideal crash junctions, races and multiplayer online challenges.