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Shift 2: Unleashed

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Shift 2: Unleashed
Developer(s)Slightly Mad Studios
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Producer(s)Marcus Nilsson
 (executive producer, DICE)
SeriesNeed for Speed
EngineThe Madness Engine
Platform(s)PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows
Release
  • UK: 1 April 2011
Genre(s)Racing

Shift 2: Unleashed (also known as Need for Speed: Shift 2 Unleashed) is an upcoming racing video game, the 17th title in the Need for Speed franchise, under development by Slightly Mad Studios and published by Electronic Arts. Shift 2: Unleashed is scheduled for release on 24 March 2011 in Europe, on 25 March in UK and on 29 March in US.

Shift 2: Unleashed is the direct sequel to the critically acclaimed 2009 video game Need for Speed: Shift and expands on the gameplay and features introduced with the original. Shift 2: Unleashed will feature 145 cars from 36 manufacturers and 35 different tracks, which players can compete in several types of races. Players will also be able to compete online. The game will also feature new features such as an in-helmet cam, night-time racing and the Autolog feature introduced with Hot Pursuit. EA has promise that it'll "redefine the racing simulator genre" and has been called as "the most realistic racer ever".

Gameplay

Shift 2: Unleashed expands on the gameplay and features introduced with the original. It has been announced that it will contain the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship and FIA GT3 European Championship among lots of other racing content, as well as several new tracks, including legendary circuits such as Bathurst and Suzuka. Other new features include night racing and an in-helmet camera, as well as the Autolog feature that was originally seen in Criterion's Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. The game will also feature a new physics engine, new elite handling model and more control over all the controller settings (sensitivity, deadzones, steering aids etc.).

It will be the first game in the Need for Speed series to feature more than 100 cars. It is confirmed the game will feature 145 cars from 36 manufacturers and 35 different tracks

Development

In early July 2010 was it rumored that a sequel for Shift was in development. The direct sequel for Shift was rumored to be called "Need for Speed: Shift 2" and developed by Slightly Mad Studios. In February 2010, did EA said another Need for Speed game will be released at some point during it’s fourth quarter (1 January through 31 March 2011). The rumors started when Chris McClure, who left Slightly Mad Studios for the ashen allure of CCP, updated his profile professional networking site Linkedin to include the work he had been doing prior to his departure. His CV read: "Mostly worked on new open world technology but also worked on Need For Speed Shift 2." Shift 2 was confirmed when EA's listed in the game in their first quarter financial reportas a Q4 2011 title (i.e. Q1 2011 in calendar year) for consoles and PC.

The game was officially announced as Shift 2: Unleashed on 16 November 2010 with a teaser trailer, the same day as Hot Pursuit was released in the US .Shift 2 brings an "all-new" rendering engine and a "massive" graphics overhaul. "With an innovative helmet camera view simulating the physical experience of driving at 200mph, the thrilling experience of night racing and authentic degradation of tracks and cars, this is tomorrow's sim for today's adrenaline fuelled racer." said EA at the press time. "Shift 2 is redefining immersive racing by blending the rush of tearing up the track at unbelievable speeds with the emotional experience of competitive battle" said executive producer Marcus Nilsson. "We are also working closely with real-world performance drivers to ensure that Shift 2 Unleashed captures their experience and becomes the benchmark in authentic racing action." Two weeks before Shift 2 was announced did EA executive Patrick Soderlund said, "We think we can compete and ultimately become market leading in the simulation authentic motorsport segment. One of the strongest points we have is, apart from the fact we have a very talented developer working with us and we now have an established brand underneath the NFS umbrella in that segment, we also have the advantage of being a multi-platform offering. Forza can only be bought on Xbox and Gran Turismo is only available on PlayStation. We're the only one right now that is of a significant weight that can offer something up on all those platforms."

Marcus Nilsson, producer of the game, said that Shift 2 won't match Forza's 60 frames per second performance, but indicated it will be a far more vibrant game as a result. "You have to make a choice with today's tech. Either you go for - and this is harsh but it's what I think - the bland graphics of GT and Forza, or you try to push the bar for what consoles can do." said Nilsson.

EA's Patrick Soderlund revealed that he believes Shift 2 Unleashed can outdo Gran Turismo 5 when it comes to providing an "authentic driving experience". Both the lead designer and executive producer of Shift 2 spoke out against GT5, implying that it has way too many cars. Andy Todur, lead designer of the game, said that games like Gran Turismo 5 and Forza Motorsport 3, were more like encyclopedias than games, and featured hundreds of "irrelevant cars". Todur said "You can add hundreds of cars to your game, but people will ignore most of them."

Need For Speed producer Jesse Abney thinks Shift 2: Unleashed will cross the racing divide to entice arcade fans as well as sim fans. Regarding the first Shift, "‘accessible’ was used a lot, to the chagrin of simulation fans," the producer told NowGamer. "But you want those incremental steps to be a bit of a handholding exercise – Shift was developed as an acknowledgement that our fan base has grown up with us over 17 years. Their interests have changed. Some of them have grown up to become the race drivers we talk to today. They want that type of game. So we knew to acknowledge them and their interests, we really had to build an authentic racing game. And that’s what Shift was."

Name

Marcus Nilsson, the executive producer of Shift 2: Unleashed, said this about why they decide to drop the Need for Speed name for Shift 2, "If you think about the Need for Speed games you've played; Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, Most Wanted, Underground, they're very arcadey and action-oriented. Shift is going after a different audience, a sim audience, and it's about driving cars the way they feel in real life. So to not confuse the consumer - don't take me wrong, Shift 2: Unleashed is still a Need for Speed game inside the Need for Speed family, but that family has different legs. Hot Pursuit fits the action games; Shift 2 is sim-like." Nilsson also said that Slightly Mad Studios has worked with the feedback from critics, "AI was a big one; it was too aggressive. Handling on really fast cars was another one, and we've worked very hard on the physics model for Shift 2. We've basically just improved across the board."About the handling model, did he say "Shift 2 is going to be a sim experience probably unlike anything you've ever experienced before."

Autolog

At the press time did EA say "Shift 2: Unleashed also incorporates the next generation of Need for Speed Autolog - the groundbreaking network that connects friends for epic head-to-head races and compares player stats for the ultimate social racing competition." Marcus Nilson said that Autolog has changes since Hot Pursuit, "Yeah. You racing in the game becomes the fuel for other people to race, it's brilliant. Slightly Mad Studios has been working with Criterion from really early on exchanging ideas and executing on the core tenants that Criterion came up with. We're implementing it slightly differently but integrating more into the core experience of what the game is. I don't want the game to feel like I have a career and then I can go online to compete with my friends, I want it to feel like one whole. Autolog really weaves everything together into one compelling package. If you race this game and you beat people on your friends list, that's going to give you more XP to propel you in your career."

Spin-off

EA wants to establish Shift as a new franchise when Shift 2: Unleashed will be released in March. The original was part of the Need for Speed family, but the sequel will branch out in order to win over simulation racer fans and compete with genre rival Gran Turismo.

“Shift is still part of the Need for Speed family, but it offers a very different experience from our traditional Need for Speed action racers. With Shift 2: Unleashed, we aim to redefine sim racing so that fans get as close to the feeling of real racing as possible. Sim racers are proving very popular with consumers – F1 and GT5 have done great numbers. The game will still embody the core values of Need for Speed, but we want to establish Shift as our clearly defined simulation racer. Our Need for Speed strategy is to create the best racing and driving experiences for all racing fans. The use of Shift as a franchise name is reflective of our desire to establish it as the best simulation racer in the market with its own unique, distinct positioning.” EA’s racing and action business lead Colin Blackwood told MCV.

Marketing and release

The game was set for a release in North America on 8 March 2011 and in Europe on 10 March, according to many websites, include GameStop and GameSpot. On 4 January 2011, EA confirmed that the game will be released on 10 March 2011 in Europe, however, on 13 January, EA confirmed that the game will be released on 24 March 2011 in Europe, on 25 March in UK and on 29 March in US.. On 18 February 2011, EA confirmed that the game is delayed & will now be released on 31 March 2011 in Europe, on April 1 2011 in UK and on 29 March 2011 in US. In addition to the Standard edition, a Limited Edition of the game has been announced, which is available only through pre-order. The Limited Edition features numerous bonuses over the Standard edition, including exclusive packaging, instant access to three exclusive cars plus an additional 40 career race events.

Alpinestars and Need for Speed introduced the PLAY A PRO SWEEPSTAKES, a contest that gives the winner chance to win a trip to attend the Formula Drift in Long Beach, California on April 8 and 9 2011, available to residents of the United States only. The grand prize winner will receive roundtrip coach-class air transportation for two adults from a major U.S. gateway airport nearest winner’s home (as determined by Sponsors in their sole discretion) to Long Beach, California; hotel accommodations for two nights (two rooms, standard double occupancy) at a hotel selected by Sponsors; two tickets and two pit passes to the Formula Drift in Long Beach on April 8 and 9, 2011; transportation to and from the airport, hotel and event; and an opportunity to play against an Alpinestars drift driver in Shift 2: Unleashed.

Trailers

In addition to the trailer shown at the official reveal, four other game trailers have been released so far, each revealing new aspects of the game. One trailer promoted the launch date, which also show the actual gameplay for the first time to public. One trailer promoted the Limited Edition of the game. A Career trailer was released in the end of January 2011, which was the same day as the official webside for Shift 2 launched. A video clip of Shift 2: Unleashed surfaced showing off a Team BMW race around a circuit in sunny Miami, the footage is from a GTTV show in which brand new gameplay was shown.

Reception

Preview

Shift 2: Unleashed was well received by IGN, Computer and Video Games, GamePro and many other critics at their preview of the game in London. Computer and Video Games examines several key features in the game, including Autolog, the Helmet Cam, and crashes. They asked , is it "the best sim racer yet?"

References

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  3. ^ "EA's Engine Roar with Shift 2 Unleashed" (Press release). Electronic Arts. 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
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  38. "SHIFT 2 Unleashed™ Career Trailer". needforspeed.com. 2011-01-26. Retrieved 2011-21-28. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
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