The recent release of Need for Speed Shift has stirred up quite a lot discussion in the sim community. Now’s your chance to get your Shift-related questions answered by none others than the developers themselves.
Slightly Mad Studio’s Ian Bell, Doug Arnao and Erro Pitulainen will be trying to answer all Shift and SMS-related questions VirtualR readers have – Just leave them in the comments.
The questions will be collected for a few days, the answers will be published in a new article in due time. To make it easier for the guys, please check the comments before posting your question to avoid duplicate questions. Furthermore, please keep the comments of this story clean of chatting and discussion, if you want to discuss Shift you can use this and this story.
In related news, Shift is also making quite a big appearance at Road Atlanta as EA’s newest title will be sponsoring the Rahal Letterman Racing BMW M3 GT2’s in next week’s Petit Le Mans race. SPEEDTV.com reporter John Dagys has forwarded these photos from today’s test session at Road Atlanta, showing the works-backed BMW in Shift colors.
paskowitz
September 20th, 2009 at 02:07
I’ll cut right to the chase…
Q 1) Ferrari in future DLC?
2) More cars in addition to tracks?
3) Any patches to fix the CRAZY AI? Honestly the AI needs to learn not to ram everything it sees.
4) Fix for ATi cards on the PC version?
5) Where do you see NFS going? Shift is by far the most mature title to date and that fact is rather refreshing. I think a NFS Shift II would be great, although I know a lot of fans want the series to go back to the open word, cops and car chases of title past. Do you see this in NFS’s future.
6) Shift absolutely nailed the “drivers experience”. At first I thought it was some silly marketing phrase but the final product really lived up to that title. Honestly, I believe this should be a part of all future NFS regardless of their genre. Do you agree?
7) What are some things you left out of the final game that you really wanted to put in but couldn’t due to logistics, time, etc?
8) What do you think EA, SMS, and Blackbox will take away from Shift?
9) Do you plan continuing your partnership with SMS?
Just some ideas for DLC. There are some cars that are really sweet that I would love to see as DLC:
-Ascari KZ1
-Gumpert Apollo
-Lotus Evora 124 (or just the plain Evora)
-Toyota Supra
-Honda NSX
-Holden Commodore SSV
-Porsche 911 GT1 (one of the most under recognized supercars of the 90’s)
-BMW M1
Thanks for all your hard work on NFS Shift.
orubasarot
September 20th, 2009 at 02:12
Are the extra steering movements rendered on screen just cosmetic? Because they don’t reflect what I’m doing with the wheel at all. And if not cosmetic, does that mean the AI driver is making these minor steering input adjustments independently? Or is this all a bizarre side effect of the calibration issues mentioned before, ones that crop up with my G25 and Win7 x64 (the menu bug for example).
Also I’m assuming Pro mode isn’t really the “raw” physics engine uncovered, it seems that certain elements have still been smoothed out for the sake of gameplay. Would any developers be willing to confirm or deny this? What about unlocking the engine to reveal the supposedly sim-based foundation underneath? Tout gameplay all you want but this isn’t a sim racing blog where merely “having fun” is enough to justify coverage for a title.
BSR-Fonzie
September 20th, 2009 at 02:17
Is there coming suppurt for other devices, like Trackir, Simcommotion, TH2Go??
Btw, nice game!!!
Maddmatt
September 20th, 2009 at 02:29
Could you tell us what improvements and fixes will be coming in the next patch(es)?
Will there be any free content or will all DLC cost money?
Is there a possibility of a dedicated server being released for the PC version?
What will SMS do next? Another NFS game or something else?
BSR-WiX
September 20th, 2009 at 02:52
are we looking at a lawsuit, if we would try to Mod Shift in the future?
sediol
September 20th, 2009 at 03:19
1) Would you seriously consider an additional gamemode called “Simulation” (…or just call it “For Freaks”)?
If so, could this be expected as Add-On or rather in the next NFS (Full-Game)?
2) Users with non-16:9 monitors (4:3) can’t see the mirrors entirely in cockpit-view . Can you please fix this with a plain virtual mirror?
btw: Though I usually prefer simulations, I’m really impressed by Shift and love it!!
Zolus
September 20th, 2009 at 03:20
Will the hopefully upcoming patch correct?:
- Strange physics “bugs”, like bouncing (for example: Carrera GT invite event, where the car bounces, but the AI can drive it smoothly, also there is no tuning opportunity)
- FFB imperfections
- add car tuning just before race, so we mustn’t go all the way back to the main menu, and wait again for the track to load
Not NFS related:
- Will Ferrari Project be finished and released?
- Will it use the same engine?
Some feedback: The game has a great base, a good physics engine, its definitely the best NFS game ever, but it seems a bit unfinished. I hope you’ll listen to forums, and will release some patches in the future to make the game perfect.
Sommergemüse
September 20th, 2009 at 03:23
It’s possible to extract the NFS Files, do you support modding?
I think the engine is built up 90% like the gMotor Engine, some pros will probably create new cars or tracks for Shift. Just wait a couple of months
What about Releasing Modding Tools like Blimey Tools v1.066?
scca1981
September 20th, 2009 at 04:43
1) Why such a lack of graphic options for PC users? The option to disable bloom and crowd animations would be major improvements.
2) Why are there so many track side objects? Seriously overkill.
3) Why wasn’t the game properly beta tested?
4) Why was no true exhibition/practice mode included to be able to race any car on any track for fun?
5) NOS? Seriously?
6) Turbo lag seems overdone. Would this be able to be fixed? If I tune a car on the first level and add the extra boost option the lag is huge.
scca1981
September 20th, 2009 at 04:57
I wouldn’t hold your breath on the modding of the game. Looking through the files extracted it’d be a serious amount of work to get a car into the game(even with the proper tools). You also have to figure how it’d be incorporated into the career since the game has no true exhibition/practice mode similar to GTR2/GTL. Add that with the performance tuning/parts/paint etc etc and its a mess. Each car also has its own custom animations, shaders (923 for the exterior of the aston alone!) and more.
We already have plenty of modable games and I don’t see it a big deal on this one.
n4sud
September 20th, 2009 at 05:01
I am a big fans of SHIFT, and here’s the questions:
Why we the manufacturers sticker can’t scale larger? Also why we can’t select colour for the manufacturer stickers? I can’t create a car look like racing car without that~
I can’t scale the square sticker into a lines? I can only scale it into rectangle, which still too big~
Why there are no mirror function for vinyl system? It can save space and also making both sides of the car look parallel~ But I have edit another set of sticker on another side, and the camera doesn’t allow me to turn to left side for compare them~
And many guys said the car is too over-steer, for me I think some car may not be tuned into no ABS, TCS in real life, so we should test the handling of the car with ABS, TCS on~ But why the car is still got a little bit slide?
Is there any patch in future which allow us to remove the steering wheel in the cockpit? ‘Cause I got my own in real life, I don’t want to see two steering wheel~
Will there any full support of G25 in the future? which can detect the transmission type of the car and switch the controller setting to fit the car? (+/- gearbox cars can only use F1 paddles only and 6 gearbox cars must use H-shifter, and racing cars should use the sequential shifter~)
Actually all those question above is in a major question —- Is there any patch to fix them?
Please make it~~~
Sorry for my poor English~
lvolz
September 20th, 2009 at 07:17
Ok, I’ve read through the whole thread and I can’t believe this one hasn’t been mentioned.
DAMAGE!!! I can power into a wall at 100mph, compress the front end over the wheels and nearly rip off half the car but then drive off and continue on my way with barely any recognizable impact on performance physics.
1. Was this even a consideration? Even GT5 is incorporating into it’s newest bumper car release.
2. Is this something that could somehow be addressed down the road or maybe included in the “For Freaks / simulation mode. (Part of the real driving experience is paying the price for your reckless behaviour or mistakes.)
zoka
September 20th, 2009 at 07:29
Mr.Ian Bell why you betray sim community,and Mr.Erro Piitulainen why you take part in that betrayal?
Was so difficult to split simulation from arcade game???
Can you made pure simulation patch for shift?
Are games like GTR,RBR.GT Legends,BMW M3 Challenge history??
triple_a
September 20th, 2009 at 07:55
Why did you decide to make the career races last only 2 laps? This forces the player to make dirty overtakes, because there isn’t enough time to drive cleanly. Even 5 laps would be better. Any plans to give the players an option to change this? Or maybe it can be relatively easily modded by editing some file?
There seems to be something wonky about the controls. I am using a Logitech DFP and it’s extremely difficult to find a configuration that is both sensitive enough and not too twitchy. I find it difficult sometimes just to drive straight. Any comments?
The cars seem to go into a slide at the instant you start turning. I find it difficult to drive “cleanly”. I’m usually sliding through corners. Using the tuning trick (suspension all the way to understeer, seems to be inverted BTW) helped this a little but I’m still sliding through most corners. Any comments from the physics department?
Even with the above issues, this is the best NFS title in a long time. I’m really enjoying this, I hope there will be a Shift 2.
Skillcoil
September 20th, 2009 at 08:13
1) Do we expect to see a new handling model called “Simulation” It’s pain to hear a lot of people complain about sliding all the time. just like burn out paradise received alot of new modes as a DLC.
2) Will there be more T5 racing cars ? or 80-90’s racing cars ? (Porsche GT1/BMW M1 Procar/etc). the game lacks T5 cars.
3) We should be able to tune cars before race.
4) Shift needs to be patched ASAP. there are a lot of bugs. there’s an invitation event where you choose a C6 Z06 at Laguna Seca but it doesn’t move forward or backward. oh and wall hugging :)
5) In pro street there was 4 modes. in Shift we have Race and drift. but where did drift’s brother go ? (Drag) mode.
6) Is Ferrari Project still going on ?
in Conclusion. if they fixed sliding and steering sensitive .. simmers gonna called it a Sim :)
Hired Goon
September 20th, 2009 at 08:56
1. Who dropped the ball with the ATI fiasco?
2. Who dropped the ball with the atrocious out-of-the-box G25 settings?
3. How much interference/pressure did EA exert on the development process?
Der_KHAN
September 20th, 2009 at 09:02
1) will there be a patch to address the steering wheel control issues?
2) will there be track ir support in the future?
stabiz
September 20th, 2009 at 09:29
Will SMS make a sim again?
Gopher04
September 20th, 2009 at 09:41
1.Will you sort the awful steering out for the PC.
2. Can we have a option to turn of the cockpit blur at speed, so unrelistic.
TheSTIG
September 20th, 2009 at 10:02
*Why do you think the are no SD screens left in the world? There is no FOV adjustment, no seat adjustment, no even a proper scaling for SD resolutions (so you can see mirrors etc).
*Why the cockpit steering wheel barely moves and shakes for no apparent reason?
*Why was the game made for use with controller only, because the steering and FFB with wheel is lets say broken?
*Why in a game that is supposed to have a serious career mode the AI are idiots, the races are short and is so easy to progress?
BTW i like the game, but the above issues really spoil it for me.
Shelly
September 20th, 2009 at 10:08
Why did they miss the opportunity to implement wind and road noise? Especially the wind-noise could have made the driver experience a lot more intense if it would increase with the speed.
Why no mouse support for the PC users?
How should the PC users finetune the sliders for colors or the sliders in the tuning section?
Why is there no save option for the replays?
Why isn’t at least my own tire smoke visible in my mirrors?
Why is there now free cam in the showroom/colorroom?
Why is every car only buyable once? It would be cool to have the same car in different versions in my garage.
Why did they not include the Nurburgring? It would have add a lot to the Nordschleife.
Jack_NL
September 20th, 2009 at 10:09
- with no possibility to qualify before a on-line race
a system for the host to put drivers in random starting positions
first a 3 lap race (qualify) to determine grid positions
then the host can set the grid line up for the race’s
– is it sure there cant be a pitstop system?
even a simple driveby at low speed that will give fuel and if possible tires
a Shift LE (League edition) / Pro version comes in mind
(when more come’s up i post it here)
Thanks all @ SMS for Shift!
(in the credits i see Ralph Hummerich awesome! Hi Ralph you GP4 God :))
erale
September 20th, 2009 at 11:04
Playing the 360 version and don’t know if all this is the same on other plattforms:
1) Is the Scirocco somehow bugged? The car drives NOTHING like the real one. Also something seems terrible wrong while braking. The car spins it’s rear almost every time when you exceed a certain braking pressure. On other cars you can really slam the brakes and it still goes straight.
2) Why didn’t you include a decent steering for gamepads like other racing games did? For example PGR which also doesn’t require to fine tune the settings.
3) The AI is the worst I’ve ever seen in a racing game. Didn’t you think of sacrificing a few AI drivers in a race and instead give the rest more CPU time so they not crash you even if you lapped them?
4) In the later races (Works vs. Supercars) there are also framerate issues on certain tracks. Didn’t you noticed that during development? Also you could have dropped a few AI drivers from these races.
5) Could it be that Shift would have needed at least six months more development time? Will there be updates that will fix at least some of this issues (steering!)?
F1Racer
September 20th, 2009 at 11:06
Too many why why why questions. What’s that gonna get ya ? A non-satisfying corporate-speak answer.
- Can we have options in the replay to stop the TV camera changing to all these strange angles every 3s (yeah I know that means changing/adding camera angles on all tracks). Just want normal TV cam view. Save the dynamic shots for different camera views. Slo-mo would be nice too.
- Practice mode would be great as opposed to doing a race or time trial on your own and actually getting money / bonuses for it which doesn’t make sense.
- Please build in the ‘language’ into the driver profile. I want my game in English every time I run it so please stop asking me every time I load the game. That is sooo console and I don’t even understand why they do it on that either.
- a small item. Be nice to have some control of the car in the spinner with the mouse and maybe some zoom option as the car is a bit too close, too many menus on screen during tuning which obscure the car so it’s hard to see the changes you make and waiting for it to spin around so you can see the bit you want is annoying.
- please stop the AI parking (going real slow) on tighter corners.
UKFireman
September 20th, 2009 at 11:09
Will a patch be released asap for those of us who are unable to play the game due to the game crashing to windows on loading up the test lap? this issue is affecting lots of people and so far there has been no response from EA about this problem. It has been highlighted lots of times on the EA forums etc but like i said no response.
I was also dissapointed to read that the races only last 2 laps, imo thats terrible, it hardly gives the player time to learn the track, car handling on the track etc, can we have an option to change the number of laps in a race?
kuko61
September 20th, 2009 at 11:16
Hi
It is planned in the future release mod (or new game) based on Shift for use in simracing comunity and sim leagues?
That means adding to the game pits and pitstops, tire wear and tire (oil, water) temperatures and a new, classical and usable multiplayer – with true race weekend with practice and qualification, with more opponents, with true lobby and filtering servers, with more options when creating a game (difficulty options, lock cockpit view, etc.) and especially with dedicated server.
Thanks
P.S. Anyway, I like the NFSS. I think that if it was made a sim game on NFSS basis, could become a Race (EVO) killer
Jack_NL
September 20th, 2009 at 11:17
I find that when changing graphics for more fps
it doesn’t do much, all details med or high fps stay for me almost the same,
(in cockpit, back of the field 10 or 15 cars doesn’t matter fps is 35)
when i switch of the mirror in the disply menu the mirror is still on
some tip to use the PhysicsX that came on the DVD lowered my fps from 45 to 35
(8800GT 512mb on 182.06 driver, newest DirectX Aug-09
will try a newer driver today)
Chrisuu01
September 20th, 2009 at 11:25
I have only 3 request
1: Could you guys please fix the bunny hopping that some cars do they bounce like bouncy balls. manly talking about the bouncing at Spa and the London track.
2: I have missed this in so many games please ad a few fully tunable cars of the Suzuki brand the swift( I have a swift) and cappucino and maybe the alto i beg of you
.
3: Maybe a ptach that does a complete physics overhaul to make it a real good sim?
Klaas Jan
September 20th, 2009 at 11:42
- Why isn’t it possible to make setup changes in between races of a race series?
- Why didn’t you include a test and drive mode to fine tune settings quickly?
- Could you implement a setting to get rid of all the carnival and fairground stuff around track?
- Why can’t you undo a works upgrade? Now you have to sell the car and buy a new one.
- Why does it take forever to load the 2nd and 3rd round of a car duel? Can this be optimized?
- Why can’t you race reward cars in career mode? The Audi R8 LM you win at level 20 is listed as tier 5 but when you get to the tier 5 races you can only use tier 1-4 cars?
anton
September 20th, 2009 at 12:40
- why there were no option to save setup in multiple sets?
it looks funny to see corolla AE86 and other japanese car are left handed, i might call this as a racist
Disposable_Hero
September 20th, 2009 at 12:57
1) Is it possible to reduce the long loading times?
2) Is it possible to include an option to reduce the amount of trackside objects?
3) Will there be a fix for the steering wheel lag?
4) will there be a fix for the crashes when graphics settings are changed?
5) Will there be a fix for the heavy oversteer of the cars?
6) Is it possible to include a practice mode under “Quick Race”?
tingri
September 20th, 2009 at 13:09
The force feedback is the most important part for me. In a real car I feel with my body in a simulator only through the hands. So please make it direct, smooth, precise and with feel for weight and grip, because it no near iRacing and realfeel in rFactor. And your physics engine maybe advanced by your words, but the in game car physics are far away from reality. Believe me I have a good driving and racing experience and yours is a crappy one.
Dillyracer
September 20th, 2009 at 13:15
1) There are some glitches, like uncontrollable bouncing of the car ( Carrera GT @ Spa invitational event ) and cars not moving in car battle (Z06 in tier 3). Is this being looked into?
2) Is Nurburgring GP track ever going to be included in future DLC’s?
3) Would it be possible to include a qualify session before races?
4) Why so many track side objects? On a few places, it looks natural, but on Brands Hatch, it’s packed. Was this done because EA demanded this or is it because of something else?
5) Could you include a look left/right option in a future patch? Mirrors and rear view aren’t always enough to determine where some of the AI cars are. (PC-version)
PS : Good game, having fun with it :)
Mr. A
September 20th, 2009 at 13:21
Firstly I would just like to know, if possible, your own non-EA-censored thoughts about the pro-mode physics and how well you think the FFB conveys what the cars are doing. Personally, I just can’t make sense of the almost constant oversteering and the FFB did nothing for me until I changed almost all the FFB values to that of a competitor’s game.
Secondly, is this what Ferrari Project would have felt like to play?
Btw, a few odd quirks aside, I do enjoy the game after some tweaking has been done. Hopefully some of the issues, like the stupidly aggressive AI, will be fixed.
vn88holden
September 20th, 2009 at 14:24
by all means this can be the ultimate game if u listen to us after all we r the ones that sit down for hours playing them. i use a wheel myself and i find it horrible and painfull to keep going but it does have potential hopefully in the upcoming patch u fix the rediculess damage, the bloody replay is annoying we no the game looks sweet u dont have to prove it by zooming right in on the cars i dont know about any one else but i like watching my replay like rfactors for intance, and the steering jesus, ai have no idea, brakes to touchy, a bug with game save (PC VERSION) adjustable field of view, longer laps, the annoying blur over speedo, settings before race, and the most inportant thing for us pc racers MODS look at rfactor its still at NO 1 in my eye’s for the last couple of years mods keep the game going, and an expansion or something like that with fuel pits and so fix that and WOW it would be the no 1 game for years to come thanks for letting us speak but should of asked us before the game was done.
mr_pio
September 20th, 2009 at 14:30
Totally impressed with the quality of graphics, and the handling seems like fun for a simracer, but only tried it on keyboard so far. Most importantly, the car is reasonably connected to the asphalt and has a weight. Question is:
- How about G-force output (or offsets provided) for motion sims? The audience is larger than you would think, going into thousands, and for most every one of us motion support is a sufficient and necessary condition for purchasing the game.
chen255
September 20th, 2009 at 15:23
Please EA, I implore you to please make the following possible via a patch-
** In Quick Race Mode, a random start position on the grid. **
Having to start at the back every time is just silly & very annoying. Sometimes at the back is ok, but not every time!
Please include this fix in a patch EA!
Quick Race mode is where the replayability is at offline & I want to start in a randomly different position on the grid each time., no matter how many AI cars I choose to race against.
NitroStar
September 20th, 2009 at 15:30
Major problem questions: PC version:
1. Graphics settings don’t change much and/or don’t work. Even crash game when set too low.
2. Steering lag and wheel vibration, wheel setup is painstakeingly horrible.
3. Brakes too touchy and cars oversteer and then recover miraculously.
4. AI cars are so froustrating that I quit races because I don’t like beating and banging.
5. Impossible to keep “Precision” rating only when AI cars act like IDIOTS.
6. Seriously, giving points for spinning a car out, dirty overtake, and tradin paint?? But this has to be done sometimes because races are so short and AI act like idiots.
7. Why does some good pc’s not run Shift smoothly while others do? ATI and also nVidia sytems. ATI systems are NOT the only affected systems.
8. Others have more PC version comments that make a LOT of sense also.
Howie47
September 20th, 2009 at 15:33
Congratulations on this great racing game.
Amazing that so many “Hard Core Sim Racers” can’t get their Steering wheels adjusted. Mine couldn’t be any better. It did take a while and some reading of the forums. 1. So maybe a read-me with all those tips for adjustments would help. It took years for me to finally get rFactor’s FF and steering correct. So the couple hours on your game gets an A+.
2. I would like to own more then one of the same car. So they could be at different levels of upgrade. Especially a street and a full race. Can that be done?
3. The ability to choose to race against other classes in “Quick Race”. The AI are a little slow for me. Using a lower classed car would bring back the challenge.
The following has already been mentioned.
But please>
4. TrackIR support.
5. Dedicated server. (will lengthen the life of the game and encourage DLC buying.
Thanks Again.
Zenitchik
September 20th, 2009 at 16:04
this game is full of loading
DRat
September 20th, 2009 at 16:05
PC version:
1. Please add an option to disable intro videos.
2. The opening prompt for user language should only have to be set one time.
Thank you.
vik15
September 20th, 2009 at 16:59
Why the game (demo) offers to make a wrong brightness and contrast adjustments in its video options?
I am using a colour calibrator (colorimeter) because I work with photography and really need to have an accurate colour representation. Those settings have been set during calibrating process already in order to reach the correct gamma and contrast settings . No other software requires any other separate settings. Beside If I do the brightness adjustment the game offers with its three lines texts I just can’t see any more a darker half of a gradient line which are seen perfectly in all its extent otherwise with my calibrator settings.
Ask because I see a bit lack of realistic half-tones in the game colours representation that may be a result of wrong brigtness/contrast settings and make the game looks a bit like a “graphic” instead of being realistic.
GTEvo
September 20th, 2009 at 17:40
why its called NFS-Shift..when NFS-Puzzle or NFS-SettingSecret sounds perfekt !?
No way..if you could set this Game after some Days !!!
, and after some Dudes gives Insider Helps, then its a great Entertainment.
But without InsideTipps, every Customer is “Verraten und Verkauft” !
Ian have to shame himself..thats not a fair SalesConception if its impossible to control, after a normal install.
An no, im gonna not cheerleading after a neccecary Patch..cause it cannot be that were gonna be happy if a Game is normal controlable.
Thats just a MuchMust-Have !
GlückAuf
Holger
MiniMaestro
September 20th, 2009 at 17:45
Have you abandoned the simulation community for good and is the release of BMW M3 Challenge the last realistic driving experience PC Users are ever going to get from SMS/Blimey/Whatever?
Will you ever work on a product again which is seperate from the EA lot?
Why was the PC Release such a botch job? Poor Loading Times. Having to shoot in the dark with driving settings. e.t.c.
Whose decision was it to go with 2 lap races? Racing is as much driving clean as it is rough and tumble.
Will we ever get the option to disable/limit/tweak graphical “enhancements” and I do stress that word, like Lens Flare and Bloom?
Uff
September 20th, 2009 at 17:49
You can already do this: go to Electronic Arts\Need for Speed SHIFT\Movies folder and change the video you don’t want to see from name_of_the_video.bik to name_of_the_video.bak (or whatever you prefer).
My question is: have you thought about giving the user the chance to set the level of cockpit blur he/she desires? I like the idea, but I think it’s quite exaggerated.
Mark
September 20th, 2009 at 18:59
First Thank you all for this great game, really enjoy the driving in it, finally a racing game that includes some proper oversteer ;) Just had some fun with the works R34 GT-R at Silverstone and feeling is really amazing, especially the push (understeer) in the last two corners when aplying throttle
Q.
1) Any change for some saving options, replay/set-up, for the PC versions in a future patch?
2) Why does the “Logitech Profiler” starts everytime I start the game?
3) Am I correct to asume that virtual tire deformation and even tire “hopping” are part of the tire model?
4)When starting a race, are tires and brakes on “working” temperature (first few corners feel different), or do they heat up while racing?
5) Any change of adding some options in the future to the replay menu of the game (PC), slomo + TV cams (whole lap).
6) Could you guys post some steering wheel profiles (menu options/logitech settings) that were used by those responsible for the physics.
ps: I think some of the logo’s on the track act like (speed)bumps (speedhunter logo after busstop Spa en the startbox stripes/colors on the S&F line).
eddiespag
September 20th, 2009 at 19:28
Is your relationship/commercial agreement binding and exclusive only to EA Sports? Will you ever be able to independently create, develop and release a title that is ‘close to your heart’?
Whatever business agreements or priorities you may have, will we be seeing a proper, accurate and realisticly immersive true simulation race program based on a real world series or genre, whatever that may be, in the near future?
Thank you for your passion and for finding a way to survive through all the difficulties and challenges that you have faced. We as a sim racing community, and the real motorsports world to some extent, are thankful beneficiaries!
JAGUAR1977
September 20th, 2009 at 19:54
Ok, there are many problems with the PC version it seems, here’s one for the PS3.
Will SMS patch the game so we can back-up our gamesaves?
GT5P allows you to do this.
Uff
September 20th, 2009 at 20:10
Will we ever see Kart Attack, the “small” kart game that Blimey! was working on?
jeff gordon
September 20th, 2009 at 20:11
love the game this is astep in the right direction finally!! i have a ps3 and an old dfp pro there is only one button preset option and its not my wheel no left right only bw force feedback in replays(wheel jumps around), wheel locks and unlocks everytime theres a load screen strange track bumps at desert track? more tracks(real world) please and more cars(ferrari) thank you
Alexease
September 20th, 2009 at 20:34
- Old ISI engine (GTL/GTR2)? ;)
DW
September 20th, 2009 at 21:38
To expand on this and make the question clearer.
Which parts of the physics engine are based on the ISI physics engine? A long time ago Ian said they might keep the suspension modelling, but were more elements kept in the end?
free2game365
September 20th, 2009 at 21:42
1. How much and what parts of the development were split between your studio and EA Black Box.
2. Do you ever see the company doing a totally sim focused licensed motorsports game in the future?
3. Do you plan to support newer graphical techniques like deferred lighting and directX10/11 with future titles?
holy_sword
September 20th, 2009 at 22:04
this is 1st post of the very popular sim blog, i have graduated from ps3 racing to rfactor 1 year ago next month, it has been a great ride and challening. What I have seen thou is people have diff definition of what makes a sim. To me shift is a sim because it simulates some driving forces, plain and simple, now for my questions
1. Can host have ability to set driving aids in lobby? I do not like racing with pro-mode no assit against some guy who have full blown assit and works converted car, with game pad, I have no chance against this type of racer.would like everything to be even.
2.Can player have ability to pick online lobby they want to join instead of just assigning player to room that may be full of drivers looking for agressive points. I dont like to be crashed on purpose not fun.
3.Give host the ability to boot/kick player, see above to same reasons
other than that i really like the game, there are some issues, however i think patch/patches will fix.
Boundless
September 20th, 2009 at 22:14
Shift is a definetly greate step for NFS. Main mistake is as always – promises. Marketing campaing was totaly about realism, driving expirience, etc. And what we have finaly – neither great sim nor great racing game. It’s good, not trash like past 3 games from NFS title, but still not like it was promised. EA as always wanted to cover more game audience even the the saintest part of it – sim racers. But sim racers don’t need only a racing cars and racing tracks. It’s a dream for a lot of sim racers to drive some serial cars not even on a race track, but with great physics. Guys, it’s time to close an eyes on that part of gamers who like racing games and didn’t have a wheel. An idea of the ideal racing game is already exist, but I can’t understand why no one stil cached it… An example is Test Drive Unlimited. Gamer has freadom, real cars, not the worst physics, and pretty nice graphics. Task is smple – make bigger place to drive (free ride… we miss it), make on it more tracks,add GREAT PHYSCS (look at LFS, it’s realistic and it could be driven on wheel, mouse and keyboard – it’s ideal), graphics (Shift is a great one); sound; opportunity to create challanges and normal feedback from develpers/support team (organizing championships, challange, etc.), tuning and some other stuff (not NOS; guys IT’S NOT COOL ANY MORE). Then just add free/pay DLCs. Don’t try to invent new bicycle… Just make it like gamers want it.
I’am sorry for a strange way to make my question, but I think – everything I’ve wrote at the top isn’t only my thoughts. But it’s only way for developers to “hear” them…
woodwiss
September 20th, 2009 at 23:07
Why is the AI so aggressive in this game? When I’m racing just normally and not being aggressive at all, I get bumped by the AI or shoved out the way. Plus, why are they not intelligent enough to even stop or drive round you if you spin or crash? In short, why is the AI more like Gran Turismo’s?
Disposable_Hero
September 21st, 2009 at 00:30
One more interesting question: Somebody on the EA Forum claimed, that NFS Shift changes the Windows Settings of the G25, e.g. ingame Turning Lock at 100%=900°, 50%=450° etc. Can you developers shed some light on that subject. If the claim is correct it is the explanation why so many people have problems to get Shift feel right with the G25.
linkinstreet
September 21st, 2009 at 01:50
Hi SMS, I hope you can shed some lights on these issues
- Can I turn off the extra eye candies? Unlike people driving on the console, I am too used with the PC side of racing, and I certainly don’t like HDR, Bloom, . When GRID was released, I even checked the files one by one to turn off the bloom effect
- Can we also turn off the atricious trackside objects? I mean c’mon, a large ferris wheel at Spa? How can I NOT miss that?
- Can we have a function like rFactor where in an online race, we can force the aids and the view that people can use. For example Manual only, cockpit view only, etc
- Will we have a patch on the bouncing issues?
- Can the wheel be fixed? I want it to move 1:1 with my steering in real life, like all the gMotor2 games and LFS does. The minute movements are making me a tad naouseous, and even with 0% deadzone, it still does not follow my steering
- Better graphic optimisation for the PC. I prefer to run racing games at 80FPS minimum. But the game, even on lowest setting won’t go more than 40FPS.
- I heard that the game will have a DLC. What can we expect from the DLC?
Anyways thank you for trying to listen to us
EmptyBox
September 21st, 2009 at 02:58
Why was so much promised only to fail to deliver in the 11th hour? Are you using this as a springboard to greater heights?
anton
September 21st, 2009 at 04:17
i still dont understand why people still prefer to play shift on pc while most 360 owner never complain about performance issue. my 360 was running shift on 1080p it’s similar to 1920-1080 resolution, i get no long loading times, no low fps, almost no complain at all
anyway great game, actually im gonna miss my pc until rfactor 2 comes out
metalliqaz
September 21st, 2009 at 04:34
This game is SERIOUSLY bugged. It reeks of a project that held one goal above all others: release the month before Forza.
1) Flag girls stand right in the middle of cars before a race.
2) Some adjustments to the car setup trigger a bug that makes it impossible to accelerate.
3) For some reason, the screen will sometimes go black before a race and stay that way.
etc.
The wack physics make no sense. I don’t care if it isn’t a true simulation, just be consistent! Just watch what happens when a car leaves the road.
Also, drift events are completely impossible. Perhaps my setup wasn’t tested much (all assists off, manual shift, MS racing wheel), but you can’t do anything except spin out.
In fact, I vote that this title be renamed to NFS: Spinout.
I’ve had fun racing with the Lotus, but this game is really just a distraction until Forza 3 arrives. Wouldn’t bother with DLC.
edit: xbox360 version
anton
September 21st, 2009 at 05:13
well i bought console to cut the high cost from the pc hardware. im not rich but i want to play all the newest games without problem. im tired spending my money on pc, whenever there’s a new games coming out i have to prepare for new hardware which isn’t worthed to sell later on
Invince_Z
September 21st, 2009 at 06:20
hi developers (Ian Bell, Doug Arnao and Erro Pitulainen),
Problems so far and pls fix them ASAP:
01. microstuttering and lagging…even shown in SHIFT videos months before official release. and yet…official game is the same?
02. low fps on high-end rig.
03. turning off audio menu, music especially both during race n replay. we dont need music! all we need is roaring engine sound!
04. real-life wheel response. let say, if we were turn our G25 900°, the in-game steering should turn 900° too. not..emm, 90° to the left or right? much as in we can define our prefered wheel rotation animation to suit our wheel setting.
05. loading took long enough for us to fall asleep even during midday. LOL
06. in-game-menu tips. how the hell the adjust control comes without tips? -1
07. option to skip all those intro, and in-game videos? they r a waste of time. especially when we hv to repeat-repeat-and-repeat them over and over again.
08. option to skip girls+pit crew event before a race. same reason as above. kinda annoying whenever we have repeat-repeat-and-repeat them over and over again.
09. we want full sim shift. with option for others who like arcade/semi-sim to play too.
10. input lag? yeah..somethimes there are input lag.
11. understeer/oversteer tuning. they are falsely labelled aren’t they?
12. graphic setting bug. whenver set to low (motion blur and/or shadow), the game crashes under 10-20 seconds in race. ATM, most of us playing at default setting.
13. …will get back later to add more.
recommendation:
01. moddable SHIFT. pls tell EA that SHIFT could be a really realy great game if they allow us, the users, modders, and simmers to mod shift on-the-go. they could use our preferences as gamers/modders/simmers to fine-tune shift or any nfs game after this. *maybe you will find gems among us who could be taken as your staff to help developing games*
02. tell EA, do not release a game year after year. that sux..all of them come to us with very similar problems, and that is every year! at least make and release nfs at 2 years interval. development could be 2-4 years. now that sounds good.
03. maybe next nfs title could be street racing + open world…with option to play it as arcade, semi-sim, and full sim. yeah…a sim open world street racing. none other have done that.
04. oh yeah..most important of all!! release a demo 3-4 weeks before an official release. earlier, the better. at least you guys could evaluate the game and prepare a fix or fix yet to be published game.
05. vynils: where is the mirror option? we also need more and option for us to design our own unique vynils.
06. changing weather and daytime. could be real-life (follow windows cloak), or 1 hour is euql to 24 hour in-game.
07. more car parts and kits pls. 3 for each car aren’t enuff.
08. LAN game option. not only on9…but we need LAN option. easier to play at LAN perties, competition, and gatherings.
09. in-game menu for those who want to set their multi-rotation wheel (i.e G25) turn as their prefred degrees. i myself prefer 240°.
10. option to turn off all those eye-candies and extra2 stuff on track. by mean of option, i mean it one by one, not 1 option to turn off them all.
11. pls..pls..pls…at least 1 ferrari. owh, how i miss the F50 in NFSIISE.
12. in-game option to adjust car setting and control options on-the-go. it is tiring and annoying to go forth and back just to fine-tune cars and controller.
13. …will get back later to add more.
critiques:
01. to be honest, shift graphic is good. but grid doees that better. at least not many edgy objects at low + medium setting in grid.
02. …will get back later to add more.
to be honest, shift is my 1st ori game. yeah..it is a great game but with lacks here and there. hope you all can fix and improve shift. if not all at once, at least little by little and continuosly fixing, updating, and improving shift. It is superb game if it is perfect!! to this point, shift is doing great but obviously it need quite a lot of fixesm update, and improvement.
aliasx
September 21st, 2009 at 08:07
What I miss in the game
1. dedicated server
2. qualifkation system, warmup’s
3. engine, tire, brake, clutch wear
4. more damage, can hit the wall and go on like nothing happened
5. flags
6. remove the rails!
Under the botttom line, make it a sim!?
phel21
September 21st, 2009 at 08:32
The number of bugs and comments indicate that the focus during development of this game not at all has been on simulator realism. The basic physics of Shift, how objects move etc, seem quite good, but surface friction handling lets it down. What simracers want is probably a combination of Shift’s eyecandy (without the bloom), GTR2 gameplay and RACE07/EVO physics. Is there a chance of anything like that coming out of SMS, with or without EA as a distributor, given the SMS-team’s involvement with several of the mentioned games?
Sensekhmet
September 21st, 2009 at 08:39
WRONG.
And this thread proves it with a lot of stupid questions and even more stupid REQUESTS.
F1Racer
September 21st, 2009 at 10:44
Hah ! Well first it seems much more complaints are coming from the Xbox360 version than the seemingly better PC version (or course that depends on your PC too). Also a reason people prefer to play on the PC… being sim racers, they have steering wheels ! Gamepad is pretty much out of the question for most of us.
heh, I’m sure they`ll get onto that one right away considering its clear that Shift is all about what WE want.
f0xx
September 21st, 2009 at 11:28
Before saying my question I’d like to say first that I believe Shifts real gameplay is yet to come and I/We’d like you guys to work more on this particular segment (referring specifically to the pro mode).
Q: Can’t you guys add an “adjust controls” setting ingame without having to quit to the menu and have to reload the track?
Q: Is it possible to add more FFB settings?
Q: Why is the car more stable when oversteer is at full and not the opposite?
Q: Can you guys add a “Look-to-Apex” setting or at least give us a way of changing the num pad view controls?
cheers.
Invince_Z
September 21st, 2009 at 11:35
Sensekhmet: if this is stupid, dont update ur shift copy. play it forver using the crap setting/half baked game.
F1Racer: they better did. i want to add to ur comment. why pc? cuz consoles u cannot mod them, and u cannot custom made gaming periherals such as IR cam detect ur head movement. pc is the best in terms of these.
Husky42: did u crack upen the vehicle file? mod time!!
.
.
something to add.
problem:
01. crap damage modelling. and by crap we name it boxed-look-a-like-damage model…LOL
02. add wear and tear pls. wheels…engines..steering..transmission..etc
03. replays bug. sometimes opponent’s car won’t move from starting grid.
4KGS
September 21st, 2009 at 12:13
Oh nice! Shift is 1# in UK Chart! :-)
Uff
September 21st, 2009 at 13:12
If you don’t want to see a video anymore, rename it in a different way in Movies folder, as explained in my previous message.
You can already do this: if I press the button to change HUD, that sequence goes away.
You forget that it’s EA that makes the rules (and have already changed them, compared to the past): I get your point and I agree with it, but you can’t expect SMS to tell EA “Please, don’t ask us to release another NFS because simmers want to mod it”. EA would probably answer “Ok, I’ll look for another developer”, considering how much NFS usually sells.
It’s not: once you set a release date, you have to respect it. A demo usually slows down the development, so a team prefers to end the work instead of releasing it with more bugs just because people want a demo. I would like to see a demo before of the release too, but not always it’s possible: think about these things work. This time we’ve been quite lucky anyway, as it was released just after the game release.
You can already do it, there’s a setting for it.
Wheel Lock – This determines how much of the available turn to turn lock to use for the steering wheel. On consoles this is set in degrees measured from lock to lock. On PC it is set as a percentage of the steerings wheels available lock. This can be fine tuned to suit the players preference, with less lock giving more sensitive steering, with too much lock the car will feel unresponsive.
kill4f00d
September 21st, 2009 at 14:07
Was this game even beta tested?
Who allowed it to be released in this state?
Why couldn’t the PC have it’s own simulation version of Shift?
azrink
September 21st, 2009 at 14:53
a full blown sim on an open world environment? now. that would be fun a’eee SMS?
baszero
September 21st, 2009 at 15:04
questions:
- The Nordschleife track is much tighter in the curves and is very different compared to Forza 2 ’s version of the Nordschleife. As I know that Turn10 has invested weeks to cover details from the Nordschleife, I assume that the Nordschleife in SHIFT is not really matching the real track??
- Switching all steering aids off still feels like having ABS and TCM. As I am not through with the whole game: is there another mode available later in the game that really makes it feel like a sim racer?
- DLC: is there a plan to MUTE the music during replays? this really disturbes the whole replay atmosphere.
Montoya
September 21st, 2009 at 16:50
Did some serious cleaning up here. Please people, these comments are for questions only, no chatter or discussions.
Don’t make it harder for the guys to provide good answers…
Invince_Z
September 21st, 2009 at 16:51
bu..but..u delete mine too. it has some question and why should dev asnwer them.
jeff gordon
September 21st, 2009 at 18:30
update on controller issue fired up shift today(ps3) and now the steering wheel in cockpit doesnt move hardly at all
and the car wont make a sharp turn even at 10 mph! plugged the ps3 controller in steering wheel looks better but the car still wont turn sharp
DW
September 21st, 2009 at 19:06
There are some good questions here but its degenerated into the usual bitching session. And people wonder why developers don’t interact with the “community”. If I was a developer I wouldn’t waste my time on this.
TopChancer
September 21st, 2009 at 19:08
You should scratch that question because Forza 2’s Nordschleife is probably the most inaccurate version of all its digital iterations. Shift’s is actually one of the better versions, if a litte flat. Of course that is my opinion.
My questions:
Any plans to improve the handle characteristics of the vehicles found in the game? ie. make them handle more realistically.
Any plans to offer a greater selection of adjustable parameters for steering wheels? (Console & PC version)
Uff
September 21st, 2009 at 20:51
After the first week from the release (in USA, a bit less in Europe) are you satisfied with how the game is selling? Did you expect a different reaction from the market?
UncleChuckle
September 21st, 2009 at 21:00
Why did you willfully mislead the sim community into believing that Shift would offer something a true simulation fan would want, when you must have known it was going to, to be polite, fall short? (Aside from the obvious answer “to make EA more money”).
UncleChuckle
September 21st, 2009 at 21:02
Well perhaps if said developers didn’t mislead an entire community, it wouldn’t have degenerated. Had certain promises and assurances not been made that turned out to be misleading, there wouldn’t be so many complaints.
The individuals involved have reaped what they sowed. Mislead people, they’ll be angry. It’s not like it’s a complicated equation. People are rightfully upset that they were mislead.
TomHolland
September 21st, 2009 at 21:24
What a great game! Installed it today and really couldn’t stop playing. What’s more fun than driving your favorite cars from beautiful cockpit views on amazing tracks? The London track is really awesome! Also love the lightning effects, they really add something to the whole experience. Talking about “the true reacing experience”, I don’t think any game has captured the intensity of racing as good as you guys did with Shift. Driving 150 km/h through a tight corner feels quick, just as it would do in real life.
This is a fun brake from all the serious simming. rFactor won’t get a lot of playing time for a while!
I guess I’m late for the party, going to ask my questions anyway though:
1. Any future DLC on the way? If yes, will they also be available for PC? Often the PC gets left out on DLC. I would be ready to pay extra money for aditional high quality content without thinking twice.
2. Any details on what you guys are working on now? I’m sure you guys will take a short brake from everything, but after that? Shift 2 possibly? Maybe a bit of a weird question as I just started playing Shift (1), but this is my chance to ask questions!
Again, kudos to all of you! I’m gonna fire up Shift again for some pure action!
Chrisuu01
September 21st, 2009 at 21:25
Also as an artist and skinner id lik to make anotther request atleast.
The ingame pain ssystem should come with an option to copy al layers from the right to the left side and the other way around.
Either that or realease skin templates for the PC version(I like this one the most)
DW
September 21st, 2009 at 21:30
The people who are bitching weren’t mislead. They said before the game was released it would be crap and surprise surprise, now they’ve tried the warez version they still think its crap.
RKipker
September 21st, 2009 at 21:47
Hello Guys and thanks for taking our questions:
1) Could you tell us if all special content (pre-ordered content will be released as free DLC) I actually pre-ordered from Amazon and never received code and now understand i can not activate the Special Endurance series as promised.
2) Do you plan on patching steering issues with PC version. i.e. G25 does not have proper feel/Deadzones in wheel heading down straights.
3) Patch AI in Career mode to not be so aggressive and adapt the players style?
4) Additional tracks for PC versions as DLC?
5) What does the future hold for SMS, we would love to see the Ferrari project one day?
PROS for the Game:
Fantastic Graphics,
you guys did a wonderful job on Graphics. I hope you can optimize for others playing the game. I can run b/w 40 – 45 fps but a few settings in med.
Drivers Prospective
Awesome driver perspective; you guys promised a great drivers prospective and delivered IMHO. Love the disorientation of the driver and black and white blur… Also, the cockpits are simply stunning IMHO.
Sense of Speed in the cockpit.
I for one like the way you blur the internals (not externals) simulating the driver in the zone, this is a true occurrence for racers, though not blurred, but how a racer can zone out the surroundings. Great Job on a Fun Game
BEST NFS Game in SERIES… AWESOME WORK “SMS”
Answer to above:
Shift supports TH2G straight out of the box, I’m using TH2G Digital and I can confirm this as no additional setup was required. However, if they could adjust HUD to better fit in the center screen, would be great. Speed and track are at the splits.
BSR-Fonzie
September 22nd, 2009 at 00:10
Thx rKipker
Gone reinstall the TH2GO , and give it a go, these days i was playing on the big screen
anton
September 22nd, 2009 at 03:59
1. pitgirl
2. add ferrari + more real world track as a free dlc
3. fix the bouncy feeling in M3
4. fix broken sound in Z06
5. and last dont make it sim like, sorry simmer i know you’re good but i just want to have fun with the game
fernandomattos
September 22nd, 2009 at 05:18
First of all…Congratulations! This is one of the best NFS ever and I hope next title ewill be even better!
1) I love street cars, but never had a console to play GT. I only find it bad that we have 80 cars, while GT5 will have more than 800 and Forza 3 about 400. Do you see this as something to be in a future NFS or in other SMS games?
2) I loved how you can race a “clean” car in SHIFT, meaning you don’t need to change its appearance. I would love the AI to race clean cars too. Is that a feature you would implement in a future game or patch?
3) What do you think about bringing the old tracks back? In NFS: Hot Pursuit 2, for example, I loved Coastal Parklands and Palm Island. I am sure old NFS fans would love to experience their favorite tracks again (LIKE ME!).
EmptyBox
September 22nd, 2009 at 07:09
Guys, reminder, this ISN’T a request thread but a QUESTION thread. I’m pretty sure your requests would be better addressed elsewhere.
nightshade420
September 22nd, 2009 at 07:28
first of all, this may sound like a complaint but please consider this as constructive feedback from a gamer. im no physics expert but my murcielago weighs 1480 KG and has 970 HP with 1000 n.m. torque, yet it has trouble getting to speeds faster than 250 kmph which anyone, let alone an experienced sim racer, would say that does not make sense, but, my corvette weighs 1270 KG and has 720 HP with 1009 n.m. torque has no problem whatsoever redlining in 6th gear at 330 KMPH and it would go even faster if i tuned the gears. now in reality if we had these cars the corvette weighs around 500 pounds lighter and has more or less the exact same torque as the murcielago (based on my in-game stats) but in terms of horsepower the murcielago should have a higher top speed, which it does not. am i complete idiot to say this? I have tried many different gear setups with the murcielago and it has never even reached 300 kmph which is starting to grind MY gears. you guys honestly NEED to work on the physics of this game
Invince_Z
September 22nd, 2009 at 08:01
1 question! would there be autoscuplt in future update?
nightshade420
September 22nd, 2009 at 08:07
to add onto my previous comment i would like to ask if the development team is working at all on a patch for the ps3 because im seriously thinking of ripping myself off 20 bucks and returning nfs shift so i have money when forza comes out i dont care if the patch takes an hour to install this game needs fixing and something needs to be done about tuning your car because theres no option to quit race so i have to reset the game just to make minor adjustments please work on a patch. and one more thing, im gonna keep this as clean and polite as i can…. ditch EA because for one they are almost as greasy and greedy as microsoft which is saying alot. and 2 this is very important they do not care about us gamers they only care about money, sure you want a game to make good sales but us gamers are the main source for your profits and the only thing i enjoy about this game is the sound my murcielago makes in 2nd to 5th gear
f0xx
September 22nd, 2009 at 10:23
Im seeing alot of double posts, why dont you guys put the question in the same message window? Theres an “Edit”.
(Sry Montoya)
Sungod
September 23rd, 2009 at 09:38
questions
#1: Can you guys at SMS comment about the rumors that the physics engine on shift are almost identical to gmotors2 engine?
#2: whats your opinion for forza3 and do you see yourselfs creating a racing game in the near future that can come close or even surpass the graphically quality of forza 3?
Thanks in advance
RKipker
September 23rd, 2009 at 11:20
Let me say again for to be sure its clear…..:
AI, AI, AI… AI, AI, AI…. drives on Hard in Tier 5 like a demolition Derby, Will this be FIXED????
Shelly
September 24th, 2009 at 09:11
Why do some cars look like 4×4 on the track while in the showroom they are correct?
Example
http://forum.ea.com/eaforum/posts/list/309802.page