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Need for Speed: Shift

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Template:Future game

Need for Speed: Shift
Developer(s)Electronic Arts
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
SeriesNeed for Speed
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, Mobile phone, iPhone OS[2]
Release
  • UK: September 18, 2009[1]

Genre(s)Sim racing

Need for Speed: Shift is one of the next installments in the long-running racing video game franchise Need for Speed published by Electronic Arts. It was announced in January 2009 as part of a three-game announcement that includes Need for Speed: Nitro and Need for Speed: World Online.[3] Shift is under development by Slightly Mad Studios—who, under their former name Blimey! Games helped develop GT Legends and GTR 2 together with SimBin Studios—with help of Michael Mann (EP at EA Black Box) and Patrick Söderlund (senior VP of EA Games and head of DICE). In the new franchising model for the series adopted by EA, Shift takes its place aiming at hardcore gamers and focusing on simulation racing and realistic drifting rather than the arcade racing of previous titles in the series. It focuses less on street racing and more on simulating the driver experience and is being described as a racing game built by racers for racers. [4]

Background

Development

In-game screenshot.[4]

According to an interview from Shift's producer, Geever, the game has been in development for two years. He also mentioned that the game will feature a new "Driver experience". G-force will play an important role in the game, as it will affect both the player and the AI. The in-car view will also return, making its first appearance in a Need for Speed game since Porsche Unleashed. The in-car view will be highly detailed, and it will be possible to see the driver changing gears and moving his head to get a better view of the mirror. According to Geever, all of the screenshots are in-engine.[5] The crashes will affect the players visuals. While crashing, there will be a temporary blur on screen. The sound aspect will have detailed car crash sound, as well as a sharp gasp of breath from the driver before a collision. [3]

Gameplay

Car Customization

The car customization options will include cosmetics as well as performance mods and will be more in depth, affecting aspects such as alignment, aerodynamics, tires, brakes, differential, and gears.[6] Nitrous will also be an option for tuning, but different from previous Need for Speed games as it will be simulated more realisticly.[6] It will be also possible to customize both the interior and the exterior of the car. The game will also have both real-life tracks such as Brands Hatch and fictitious tracks.[3]

Race Types

Drifting will also return as one of the game modes, however there was no mention to other game modes.[6]

Features

  • Physics model of NFS: Shift is based on those of the “Ferrari Project”
  • Professional setting is more accurate to drive than in GTR2
  • Eero Piitulainen of Richard Burns Rally has developed a totally new tire-physics model which is mainly responsible for the new physics
  • The difference between the 3 physics-models is in assist levels, while the lowest setting will provide around 10% of more tire grip for beginners
  • Lots of effort has gone into handling development so the game can be driven with a controller
  • Professional setting will require a wheel in order to successfully manage throttle/braking and steering inputs
  • Shift will feature different car classes - from normal cars like the Golf GTI up to racing cars like the Aston Martin DBR9
  • All cars can be upgraded and tuned from the inside-out
  • Most tracks are licensed European and American circuits with few non-existing tracks
  • There will be few city-circuits
  • The cockpit is the most important visual feature of the game
  • Head-physics is the key difference point to other titles[7]

Cars

The game will feature 67 cars, ranging from classic cars to modern sport cars. Cars in the game include the Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R[8], the Mazda RX-7 and the McLaren F1. Electronic Arts announced on May 29 that the featured car for the cover of the game would be the 2009 BMW M3 GT2.[9]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of Shift will remain similar to that of EA's prior driving sim, Need for Speed: ProStreet, featuring a scored soundtrack[citation needed] rather than a general track list[10] as is seen in previous titles such as Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Need for Speed: Carbon.[citation needed]

Marketing

In addition to the standard edition, a Special Edition of Need For Speed: Shift will be released. The Special Edition features numerous bonuses over the standard edition, including exclusive packaging, a Need For Speed: Shift poster, and an unlockable car and race which are redeemable online.[11]

References

  1. ^ a b c [1] Cite error: The named reference "D+PAD" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  2. ^ http://shift.needforspeed.com/us/product-details
  3. ^ a b c Luke Anderson (2009-04-04). "We got behind the wheel of the latest title in the Need for Speeds' franchise, which takes a sharp turn into a simulation territory". Gamespot. Retrieved 2009-04-05.
  4. ^ a b Purchese, Rob (2009-01-30). "Revamped NFS series launches this year". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2009-01-31.
  5. ^ "SHIFT Producer Jesse Abney answers your questions".
  6. ^ a b c Gwynne Dixon (2009-04-17). "NFS: Shift Will Feature Nitro/Drift Events News". Total Video Games. Retrieved 2009-05-08.
  7. ^ Features new to NSF Shift
  8. ^ "Need For Speed: SHIFT – Nissan 2000 Skyline GTR Profile". Carthusiast. Retrieved 2009-08-18.
  9. ^ "BMW M3 GT2 Races onto the Front Cover of Need for Speed SHIFT from EA". Electronic Arts. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 12 August 2009.
  10. ^ http://www.pocket-lint.com/reviews/review.phtml/3946/need-for-speed-shift-ea.phtml
  11. ^ "Need for Speed: Shift Special Edition". GAME.co.uk. Retrieved 12 August 2009.[ Need For Speed: Shift Collector's Edition]
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