Need for Speed: Shift is the 13th installment of the long-running racing video game franchise Need for Speed; published by Electronic Arts. It was announced in December 2008 as part of a three-game announcement that includes Need for Speed: Nitro and Need for Speed: World. Shift
was developed by Slightly Mad Studios in conjunction with EA Black Box
and published by Electronic Arts. In the new franchising model for the
series adopted by EA, Shift takes its place focusing on
simulation/arcade racing rather than the arcade racing of previous
titles in the series. According to EA, the game has sold 4 million
copies on all platforms combined. Shift was commercially successful, and followed by a sequel, Shift 2: Unleashed, in 2011.
Aimed at a hardcore gamer-style audience, Shift reverts to the
touring-car simulation style of its 2007 predecessor, NFS ProStreet.
Although the gameplay of these two titles are similar, Shift recreates
car handling much more realistic than ProStreet, and does not contain a
story. Upon starting the career mode, the player must do a lap of the
track to decide on car settings.
Once completed, the player is welcomed to the 'NFS Live World Series',
and must earn stars in races to earn money, and unlock new races.
There are 60+ cars which are divided into 4 tiers. Tier 1 refers to average cars, tier 2 refers to performance
cars, tier 3 refers to supercars like the Lamborghini Gallardo, and
tier 4 refers to hypercars like the Bugatti Veyron. The car
customization options include cosmetics as well as performance mods and
is more in depth than previous games, affecting aspects such as
alignment, aerodynamics, tires, brakes, differential, and gears. Nitrous
is also an option for tuning, but different from previous Need for
Speed games as it is simulated more realistically. There are body kits
which affect the aerodynamics and weight reduction. There are visual
customization options like rims, vinyls and paints.
There are 19 tracks in total including real world circuits such as
Brands Hatch, Nurburgring Nordschleife, Road America, Spa, Silverstone,
Willow Springs, Donington Park and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
