Preview: Need for Speed Shift 2 Unleashed

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.

Release Date: March 29, 2011
MSRP: $49.99
Also on: PS3, Xbox 360
RP for Rating Pending
Genre: Racing 
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Slightly Mad Studios

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Game 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."