Need for Speed: Shift

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 Online. Shift was developed by Slightly Mad Studios in conjunction with EA Black Box and published for Electronic Arts. In the new franchising model for the series adopted by EA, Shift takes its place focusing on simulation racing rather than the arcade racing of previous titles in the series.

Car customization
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 will also be an option for tuning, but different from previous Need for Speed games as it will be simulated more realistically.

Tracks
There are 19 tracks in total including real world circuits such as Brands Hatch, Donington Park National and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Development
According to an interview from Shift's producer, Geever, the game has been in development for two years. He also mentioned that the game features feature a new "Driver experience". G-force will play an important role in the game, as it will affect both the player and the AI. The in-car view will also return, making its first appearance in a Need for Speed game since Porsche Unleashed. The in-car view will be highly detailed, and it will be possible to see the driver changing gears and moving his head to get a better view of the mirror. The crashes will affect the players visuals. While crashing, there will be a temporary blur on screen. The sound aspect will have detailed car crash sound, as well as a sharp gasp of breath from the driver before a collision.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Shift remains similar to that of EA's prior driving sim, Need for Speed: ProStreet, featuring a scored soundtrack rather than a general track list as is seen in previous titles such as Need for Speed: Most Wanted, and Need for Speed: Carbon.

Marketing
In addition to the standard edition, a Special Edition of the game has been released. The Special Edition features numerous bonuses over the standard edition, including exclusive packaging, a poster of the game, and an unlockable car and race which are redeemable online.

To promote the game in Australia, a TV special, Need for Speed: Shift Challenge, was broadcast on One HD before the game's release. The special pitted two teams of Australian athletes against each other in both the game and at Oran Park Raceway.

Reception
IGN awarded it 9 out of 10 citing among other things an incredible driving experience and excellent sound effects, IGN also gave it an Editors' Choice award.

Official Xbox Magazine awarded Shift with 9/10 saying that it has an outstanding driver’s view; a deep, addictive career mode with lots of variety and options; sharp multiplayer racing counts toward single-player career. Official Xbox Magazine has also nominated it for editors choice award.

Eurogamer gave it a 7/10, saying, "If the skittish handling and overbearing, messy advancement can be reined in, Need for Speed could have a future in its newly serious and somewhat crowded surroundings. But with the infinitely more comprehensive Forza Motorsport 3 and Gran Turismo 5 looming in the very near distance, it's hard to see the point in this second-stringer this time around, for console players at least. And given Need for Speed's recent, confused history, you shouldn't count on it wearing the same face next year."