Leading developer Criterion has reversed its decision to offer the upcoming Big Surf Island DLC, which will introduce a whole new island to the game along with a range of new vehicles, for free.

Speaking on Criterion’s website, the studio stated: “We’d mentioned in a previous podcast that this would be free content, but we can now confirm that it will be premium paid-for content.

“Here’s why. We never expected to create anything this ambitious for the island, but as it progressed we got more and more excited about what it could become. Big Surf is the culmination of everything we learned creating Paradise City, and we want it to bring you a truly spectacular new experience – the highlight of a year of incredible premium content.

“Burnout already delivers incredible value for money – literally hundreds of hours of gameplay with your original disk or PSN purchase, plus more with the free Cagney Pack and free Burnout Paradise Bikes.

“We want Burnout Paradise players to experience the greatest support ever seen in a console game. We’re transforming not just Burnout Paradise, but the whole Burnout franchise through DLC, and we appreciate the support we know you guys will give us for our paid content. We think it’s worth it.”

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Criterion has previously released free updates to Burnout Paradise, including a patch that bought motorbikes and day/night cycles to the game. EA’s game is also one of the few console titles to receive a release both on the High Street and online. A reworked version of the game entitled Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box is due for release next year, and will include all of the game’s DLC in the box.