The beginning of September brings in a ton of news bits from Electronic Arts:

Madden Challenge underway, '07 sets record for franchise
The Madden Challenge tournament for 2006 kicked off this month with this year's competition marking the first time it has expanded to other countries.

Not only will U.S. competitors take to the virtual field, but also Mexico, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany and Hong Kong. The winners from the 26 U.S. cities and the five international competitions will advance to the finals to be held in Hawaii during the NFL's Pro Bowl week in February.

The finalists won't go away empty handed as EA will be stuffing $100,000 into the pockets of the winner, and those who win the regional competitions will walk home with $1,000.

While two events have already occurred, the remainder of the competitions is as follows:

Sept. 9 - Indianapolis, RCA Dome
Sept. 10 - Chicago, Soldier Field
Sept. 16 - Green Bay, Lambeau Atrium
Sept. 17 - Detroit, Ford Field
Sept. 23 - Atlanta, Lenox Mall
Sept. 24 - New Orleans, Superdome
Sept. 25 - New Orleans - MNF, Superdome
Sept. 30 - Cincinnati, Newport on the Levee
Oct. 1 - Pittsburgh, Heinz Field
Oct. 7 - Boston, Gillette Stadium
Oct. 8 - Philadelphia, King of Prussia Mall
Oct. 14 - New Jersey, Jersey Garden Mall
Oct. 15 - New York, Grand Central Station
Oct. 21 - Baltimore, M & T Bank Stadium
Oct. 22 - Washington DC, Fed Ex Field
Oct. 28 - Charlotte, Concord Mills
Oct. 29 - Tampa, Raymond James Stadium
Nov. 4 - Houston, Reliant Stadium Park
Nov. 5 - Dallas, Texas Stadium
Nov. 11 - Phoenix, Cardinal Stadium
Nov. 12 - San Diego, Qualcomm Stadium
Nov. 18 - Los Angeles, Hollywood & Highland
Nov. 19 - Oakland, McAfee Coliseum
Nov. 24 - Seattle, Qwest Field
Nov. 26 - San Francisco, Metreon
Jan. 13 - Toronto, TBD
Jan. 20 - Hong Kong, EA Experience
Jan. 27 - Mexico City, TBD
Feb. 4 - London, Superbash
Feb. 4 - Frankfurt, Commerce Stadium
Feb. 8 - Honolulu - 2006 Madden Challenge Finals, Pro Bowl

For more info, visit the official website. The tournament comes amid EA's announcement that Madden '07 has become the fastest-selling title in the franchise's 17-year history. In its first week on the market, the title sold more than 2 million copies, generating more than $100 million. The sales of '07 are up 12 percent over '06.

With 17 years behind it, the Madden football franchise has sold more than 53 million copies to date.

EA announces Burnout 5 to hit next-gen
Criterion Studios is amidst development for Burnout 5, which will hit the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in 2007.

Director of Game Design Alex Ward explained part five is built from scratch to completely reinvent the series while also taking heavy advantage of the power the new systems have to offer.

Set in Paradise City, the next-gen title promises an open-ended world with its trademark traffic battleground game play. Players will be assigned a driver's license that will keep a hard tally of the player's destructive driving record. The studio is removing the constant menu-surfing found in its other Burnout titles and creating a living city where every intersection is a crash junction waiting to happen and the most infamous racers be keeping an eye on your racing results.