Need for Speed - Shift Is an Intense Racing Simulation

Electronic Arts' Need for Speed series has a long, storied history, dating back to the 3D0 in 1994. Three new games are currently in development, distinct titles that EA hopes will appeal to different types of racing fans.
Need for Speed: Shift is aimed squarely at simulator buffs, emulating an authentic racing experience with complex physics, fully realized performance modeling and a selection of high-performance vehicles tearing around closed-track environments.
I recently had a chance to test drive an early build of the PC version, experiencing all the joys of careening into stationary objects at mind-numbing speeds. Even in this early state, it's an impressive ride.


Need or Speed: Shift is being developed by Slightly Mad Studios, whose previous titles (under the moniker "Blimey! Games") include racing simulators like GT Legends and GTR 2 -- games that are generally ranked among the upper echelons of racing simulators.
In Shift, subtle details go a long way toward enhancing the racing experience. Every car features a fully modeled interior, which we are told will be accurate down to the knobs on the Audi RS4's radio or the distinct logo on the Corvette's speedometer. Performance varies wildly among the vehicles, with heavy, rear-wheel drive behemoths like the Shelby Mustang demanding a dramatically different approach to driving than the nimble, comparatively petite Lotus.


Should you choose to race with a view from inside the cockpit, you'll find a fully animated driver, and an involved driving experience. A helmet-mounted camera will react to your actions -- accelerate, and the camera will pivot back, while braking suddenly will cause it to dip forward. Once you've really picked up speed, you'll experience tunnel vision, blurring your surroundings and bringing the camera's focus onto the road.
These camera effects extend to moments when you're not racing. Hit a wall and you'll experience a moment of disorientation: The camera will jostle, and your vision will blur, with effects intensifying for your more spectacular screw-ups.
Shift also features full damage modeling, which I saw in its earliest stages. The occasional dent or dirt collecting on the hood might mar the paint finish, but serious mishaps will ultimately affect the performance attributes of your vehicle. If you choose to sit inside the cockpit, you might find your vision suddenly obscured by a cracked windshield or a raised, crumpled hood -- perfect for getting a peek at the fully modeled engine rumbling underneath. Should you plow into a wall while driving a supercar at 300 mph, don't expect to bounce back into the race.
While watching gorgeous, expensive automobiles crumple is quite a bit of fun, Shift is ultimately about racing. The experience can be scaled for simulator fans of all skill levels. A driving line on the track will show you the ideal route to take; it is updated dynamically to give you suggestions, based on your current speed.
If the line is blue, drive a little faster. Once the line goes red, start mashing the brakes or be prepared to hit something heavy. Braver, experienced racing fans can tweak the game to their liking, from shutting off the driving line to disabling safeguards like traction control or the anti-lock braking system, unleashing the full capabilities of their racing machines.
Computerized competitors will adapt to your performance as you race. Aggressive players will encounter racers who are more than happy to nudge them into a guardrail, while civilized drivers will be left alone. Your automated opponents will also make the occasional mistake -- these can range from locking up their brakes to causing multiple-car pileups, encouraging racers to keep an eye on their surroundings. Difficulty will scale between matches, so those players (like myself) who regularly limp along at the back of the pack will be able to compete, while racing-sim aficionados will face consistent challenges.
The game will ship with somewhere between 60 and 100 customizable cars, and an unspecified number of tracks that will feature full weather effects that affect your performance. These will range from official circuit tracks like Brands Hatch, to fictional courses in real-world locations like London. These are all closed-road tracks, so don't expect police chases or civilian automobiles.
Need for Speed: Shift is scheduled to arrive this fall for PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PSP.