[mascot]

There doesn't appear to be a thread for this in the 360 section, but apologies if there already is. Big fail for the 'search' tool, I guess.

Anyway, I'm pretty excited about this title and have been following the previews closely. The first (albeit off-screen) gameplay videos (not including the official teaser) have just been leaked, and it's looking rather sweet...

Enjoy:

TWO OFF-SCREEN GAMEPLAY VIDEOS!

Looking and sounding very nice indeed.

[mascot]

Jeepers - what an underwhelming response to those videos..!

Am I the only 360 owner who is excited about this game?

Oh well, here's a whole bunch of dev interviews and hands-on previews for you to ignore at your leisure. Surely I get an 'A' for effort, at least..?



early hands-on preview

developer interview

dev interview (video)

another interview with the producer

another hands-on preview

360 hands-on

PS3 hands-on

PC hands-on

more recent hands-on

new dev interview (video)

oxm hands-on

1 Up demo news

gametrailers video interview with demo news

play.tm hands-on

uk gamespot hands-on

[Craigy]

Haven't seen the vids yet but I think the less than enthusiastic reaction maybe due to less than well received NFS games they have produced the last couple of years.

Will check out the vids later though so cheers for posting.

[mascot]

Originally Posted by Craigy

Haven't seen the vids yet but I think the less than enthusiastic reaction maybe due to less than well received NFS games they have produced the last couple of years.

Will check out the vids later though so cheers for posting.

Agreed - ProStreet and Undercover were garbage, and SHIFT didn't even figure on my radar until i started reading some hands-on previews. This title has a new (to the series) developer with a great race-game pedigree, and seems to be a Need For Speed game by name only.

This is probably my most-anticipated game of the year so far. All early indications are that it should be something pretty special.

[Pooon]

Could this be the 1st good NFS game ever. Keeping my fingers crossed that it is. Form the very little i've seen it has the potential to be a very good game, just hoping EA don't find the need to to put in some unwelcome gimmick/usp into the game

[Jamezinho]

This does look very promising indeed.

I've never really taken to the NFS series but this new direction towards classic circuit racing is a welcome move. It will be interesting to see how the arcade/simulation balance lies in this one.

[mascot]

does this video actually work?

If it's a video of a spinning circle, then the answer is "yes". That's all I get, anyway.

[mascot]

new E3 2009 trailer

You can keep ignoring it until you are blue in the face, but you'll all eventually take notice of Shift one of these days.

Come September you'll all be pre-ordering it, mark my words..!

[mascot]

From tinterweb:

EA has released full details about its upcoming racer, Need For Speed: SHIFT. The game will feature 18 authentic race tracks and over 65 pixel-perfect cars including the one-of-a-kind BMW M3 GT2 that will grace the cover. The spectacular SHIFT cover car is one of the fastest, most powerful cars ever to be featured in a Need for Speed game.

At the E3 convention, gamer will get a chance to test out the wide range of vehicles, and play on a combination of real and fictional circuits tracks.

“Need for Speed SHIFT is about the intense power and emotion of being behind the wheel and this carefully selected list of cars and tracks was chosen to give players the ultimate driving moment,” said Patrick Soderlund, Senior Vice President at EA Games Europe. “SHIFT is the evolution of racing genre. We’re delivering the first truly immersive driving game by combining perfectly modelled cars and tracks with the dramatic realism of the true driver’s experience.”

Featured Cars

2006 Aston Martin DBR9
2009 Audi R8 LMS
2008 Audi R8
2008 Audi RS 4
2007 Audi S3
2007 Audi TT 3.2 quattro
2006 Audi S4
BMW M3 E36
BMW M3 E46
BMW M3 E92
2008 BMW 135i Coupé
2009 BMW M3 GT2
2007 BMW Z4 M Coupé
2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4
2006 Dodge Challenger Concept
2008 Dodge Viper SRT10
Falken Tire 2010 Ford Mustang GT
2010 Ford Shelby GT500
2007 Ford Focus ST
2006 Ford GT
2006 Need For Speed Shelby Terlingua
1996 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
2009 Chevrolet Camaro SS
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS
2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2006 Honda Civic Si
2000 Honda S2000
2006 Koenigsegg CCX
2008 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4
2007 Lamborghini Murciélago LP640
2007 Lamborghini Reventón
2006 Lotus Elise 111R
2007 Lotus Exige S
2005 Maserati MC12 GT1
2008 Mazda MX-5
2006 Mazda RX-8
1995 Mazda RX-7
1994 McLaren F1
2007 Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren 722 Edition
2007 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION
2006 Mitsubishi Lancer EVOLUTION IX MR-edition
2003 Infiniti G35 (V35)
1997 Nissan 200SX (S14)
2009 Nissan 370Z (Z34)
2006 Nissan 350Z (Z33)
2009 Nissan GT-R SpecV (R35)
2008 Nissan GT-R (R35)
2000 Nissan Silvia (S15) spec.R AERO
1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-R
1992 Nissan 240SX (S13)
2006 Pagani Zonda F
2010 Pagani Zonda R
2008 Porsche 911 GT2
2009 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
2006 Porsche 911 GT3 RS
2004 Porsche Carrera GT
2007 Porsche Cayman S
2008 Renault Mégane RS
2007 SEAT Leon CUPRA
2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STi
2007 Lexus LF-A Concept
2008 SCION tC
1986 Toyota Corolla GTS (A86)
2008 Volkswagen Scirocco
2006 Volkswagen Golf GTI

Featured Tracks

Alpental
Autopolis International Racing Course
Ambush Canyon
Brands Hatch
Dakota
Ebisu Circuit
Glendale
Hazyview
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
London
Miytomi
Nordschleife
Road America
Rustle Creek
Silverstone
Circuit de Spa Francorchamps
Tokyo
Willow Springs

[mascot]

new screenshots from E3 press pack

Looking lovely.

[Jamezinho]

Hmmm........never thought I would get excited about a NFS game, but this looks promising. I just hope it's more Race Pro/Forza and less Grid.

[BYF]

Is anyone interested in this game?

Some features from Wiki

Features

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


The features I've highlighted in Bold are very promising.

Slightly Mad Studios the co-developers worked on GTR2 and GT Legends, both excellent sims for PC with with very good physics and levels of realism.
Also the guy form Richard Burns Rally is doing the tyre physics so the potential is there for a game with some great car/tyre physics.

[Kinetic Frenzy]

For the first time since my PS1 i'm actually interested in a need for speed game

[BYF]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

For the first time since my PS1 i'm actually interested in a need for speed game

Same here, I just hope EA haven't got involved too much with the game, but having said that their funding it and it's a big franchise for them, so I guess it's inevitable. There is hope though as the games features different difficulty and physics levels so maybe a proper sim mode is still possible.

[BYF]

Some gameplay videos,

Need for Speed Shift - Four New Gameplay Videos » VirtualR - Sim Racing News

Would like to find out more see some footage of the full sim mode in this game.

[Andy 1974]

The normal edition can be had from Argos for £28.79 if the code GAME20 still works Buy Need for Speed Shift Xbox 360 Delivered Free on 19th Sept. at Argos.co.uk GAME are selling the Collector's Edition for £44.99 Need For Speed: Shift Collector's Edition - Xbox 360 - GAME.co.uk .Sorry if the links don't work.

[BYF]

Some new clips of a complete lap of the ring.

In two parts

Look here
Need for Speed Shift - Full Nordschleife Lap Videos » VirtualR - Sim Racing News


It's obvious this isn't the sim-mode, due to all the driving aids flashing away in the bottom right corner, but still worth a look.

[BYF]

Another short clip here showing racing in the cockpit view of race spec 911.

YouTube - Need For Speed: Shift - Exclusive Gameplay (Porsche 911)


The cockpit view looks good on this game, the mirrors are in view and usable, plus the bumps in the track surface are nicely conveyed.

Reminds me of GTR2 on PC which is understandable, if it drives as good as that than this is a must buy for me.

I'd really like to play a demo of this now, hopefully shouldn't be too far away, I just hope the full pro mode isn't dumbed down at all.

Will probably go for the PC version of this, but if I'm feeling lazy and the console version has all same features I'll pick up the 360 version.

[Kinetic Frenzy]

looking and sounding good

[Kinetic Frenzy]

just been watching some more vids and have to say that the driving physics are looking better than Forza 3. The cars destabalise under heavy breaking in a realistic manner and the roads have proper bumps in them.

Can't wait to play a demo of this, so far everything i've seen indicates it will be the first NFS game i've bought for years, i think since NFS Hot Pursuit on the PS1

[rob1sp]

I still think it looks too arcadey for my tastes, everything in-game happens too fast and the controls seem almost too sharp, the porker vid posted previously shows the player making a lot of quick corrections to the steering, which doesn't seem realistic to me. The handling looks more akin to Burnout: Paradise and GRID. I'm hoping the demo and final game will prove me wrong but for me it's definitely not in the same camp as Forza 3/GT5, apart from the level of graphical detail.

[Kinetic Frenzy]

Maybe it's just a bit twitchy with a contoller at the moment. Until we play it for ourselves we won't know about the controls but i can see that it has that GTR movement to it with an overlay of arcadey pizzazz in the form of the hud.

[BYF]

Originally Posted by Kinetic Frenzy

just been watching some more vids and have to say that the driving physics are looking better than Forza 3. The cars destabalise under heavy breaking in a realistic manner and the roads have proper bumps in them.

Can't wait to play a demo of this, so far everything i've seen indicates it will be the first NFS game i've bought for years, i think since NFS Hot Pursuit on the PS1

I agree the car looks connected to the road and has that GTR look about it, there's plenty of bumps and the car reacts to it, something I haven't seen in Forza 3 vids or experienced in GT5P where the cars suffer from the magic carpet syndrome. It also has the best cockpit view and gforce simulation and effects I've seen on a console game.

FM3 may have more cars, tracks and modding etc, but I think this will offer more realistic physics and a more immersive experience behind the wheel, I just hope that arcade HUD can be turned off.

[BYF]

Gameplay clip of Nurby here of 360 version, looks very nice.

Stream - Gamersyde

http://www.gamersyde.com/stream_need...-12509_en.html


I like the grid girls, and race team around the car at the start, nice little touch that.

[BYF]

Another one here at Brands Hatch Indy.

Stream - Gamersyde

[Mr-Bananas]

More vids up on gamersyde:

GamesCom: 4 NFS Shift videos - Gamersyde

This looks stunning.

[BYF]

It does look very nice indeed.

The cockpit view looks great and appears to offer more immersion than the same view than in the other games which look a bit dull and sterile.

I think this is mainly due to the tracks having a realistic bumpy surface and the physics of the cars reacting causing the head movement and gforce effects.

I just hope this game handles and drives as well as it looks and offers a full on simulation mode, which the developers say it will have.

[Kinetic Frenzy]

Looks great and i've seen stuff on this that excites me far more than any of the stuff i've seen so far on Forza 3.

[Bloodzeed]

Here is the complete list, courtesy of Xbox360Achievements.org:

Trial By Fire: Complete the NFS Live Pre-Race Event 10
One Small Step: Win your first event 25
Road to Success: Reach Tier 2 100
Chance of a Lifetime: Reach Tier 3 100
The Final Countdown: Reach Tier 4 100

>

NFS Live World Champion: Win the NFS Live World Championship 150
Driving Rookie: Reach Driver Level 2 10
Driving Amateur: Reach Driver Level 5 25
Driving Semi-Pro: Reach Driver Level 10 50
Driving Pro: Reach Driver Level 20 50
Driving Veteran: Reach Driver Level 30 50
Driving Hero: Reach Driver Level 40 50
Driving Legend: Reach Driver Level 50 50
Bronze Earner: Earn 5 Bronze Badges 5
Bronze Hunter: Earn 10 Bronze Badges 10
Bronze Collector: Earn 15 Bronze Badges 15
Bronze Master: Earn 20 Bronze Badges 20
Silver Earner: Earn 5 Silver Badges 5
Silver Hunter: Earn 10 Silver Badges 10
Silver Collector: Earn 15 Silver Badges 15
Silver Master: Earn 20 Silver Badges 20
Gold Earner: Earn 5 Gold Badges 5
Gold Hunter: Earn 10 Gold Badges 10
Gold Collector: Earn 15 Gold Badges 20
Gold Master: Earn 20 Gold Badges 25
Epic Earner: Earn 5 Epic Badges 10
Epic Hunter: Earn 10 Epic Badges 15
Epic Collector: Earn 15 Epic Badges 20
Epic Master: Earn 20 Epic Badges 25

[Caveman643]

The more I see of this game the better it looks. I've just seen a video of Road America on another web site and it looked fantastic. I hope a demo comes out soon then I can decide whether to get it or not when it comes out.