IGN has released two new gameplay videos of EA’s Need for Speed Shift, showing the BMW M3 GT2 being driven on a street circuit. Again, we can’t be sure about the realism level as the racing line assistance is once again active. The car handling looks more challenging than in previous videos though as the car almost spins in one occasion.
Developed by Slightly Mad Studios (former Blimey! Games) and distributed by EA, Need for Speed Shift is expected to be released in September 2009 for the PC and all major consoles. A demo of Shift has been announced to be available this summer.
Dillyracer
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:00
So far, nobody has been able to drive properly, even with assists on
TheSTIG
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:17
It is obvious that this is the arcade mode with all assist ON as they flash in the bottom right corner and the damage is .. well almost nonexistent. As for the driving – really what is wrong with these drivers? I assume they are using gamepads but still they are hopeless
Jdz
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:19
Realism where?
Skillcoil
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:23
Nice gameplay!! well many people think this is GRID but its damn far from it .. and maybe better IMO
Gabkicks
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:35
they need to get some real drivers to show off how good the game is :p
Skillcoil
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:42
Arghhhh I want to see a Pro mode + Wheel video.
this might be the best NFS game ive ever seen until now
@JDz : its in Arcade mode mate.
modbaraban
June 3rd, 2009 at 16:49
That crash should’ve been fatal. The player said “huh!”
ermax18
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:02
The should rename this game NFS:Pinball.
dadada1
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:21
“Hey buddy, you have to slow down for the bendy bits and avoid hitting the armco. That way you may actually stand a chance of keeping up with the rest of the field”
Jonas
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:24
Serg Funke
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:27
such a noob driver
yakshemash
June 3rd, 2009 at 17:51
both videos are from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojyNdKjs5KE
Check it out. You can see some damage at the end too.
Serg Funke
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:00
more gameplay http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-need-for/50458
Jdz
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:27
Comparing it to FPS games – great…
Though the whole points system sounds pretty neat!
GeraArg
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:33
I keep the hope…
In all the videos that show, are always active all aid.
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/7212/dibujolgt.jpg
Alexease
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:50
I hope this is the arcade MOD…
xilix
June 3rd, 2009 at 18:59
Since my steering wheel broke I’ve been using a gamepad, using the analog sticks and throttle slide for steering, brake, throttle and clutch. It’s not as accurate as a wheel by any means, but if you get used to it and learn how to be smooth, you can definitely drive well. So using a gamepad is no excuse for that horrid driving. I can even do heel/toe shifting with my gamepad. It’s the older Wingman Cordless (not the new one that doesn’t have the throttle slide).
Anyway, yeah, it seems as though not one single video of gameplay has a guy who can drive well at all. But then again, these are probably NFS arcade racing type fans who’re getting a chance to preview the game. Those people can’t drive for sh!t.
XaliaS
June 3rd, 2009 at 19:39
The last console control I used for racing was GT2 on the PS1, understandably things have changed massively since then, but what I notice with the control system is that the driving games that use only digital input tend to put some kind of beneficial control lag. So when you rapidly push ‘left left left’ to make a smooth left turn, the car gently turns left with very controllable slides.
What I’ve seen in Shift is the opposite, the controller has direct response because its an analogue joystick, which is good when you plug a steering wheel in because you want that kind of response, but direct control with a keyboard/small joystick just looks awkward and inhuman (unrealistic basically) which is where I believe parts of the “arcade looking handling” comes from, as well as all the aids.
One control method compromises the other (unless they optimize two systems) and the good news is, I believe they went for better realism with a steering wheel rather than a controller, which has a bad habit of ‘left click left click’ steering and no smoothness.
yakshemash
June 3rd, 2009 at 20:46
M3, Autopolis!
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-09-need-for/50472?type=flv
UncleChuckle
June 3rd, 2009 at 23:02
GT2’s car handling via gamepad was so much nicer than GT4’s. I went back and tried it back when I’d played GT4 for a few months and GT2 was fun, whereas GT4 was annoying.
dadada1
June 3rd, 2009 at 23:47
Only a two lap race, not good.
scca1981
June 3rd, 2009 at 23:56
looking great (even with the noob driver)
The gfx look best i’ve seen yet even with these low resolution previews. Check out those shadows :) Anyone who compares this to grid is on crack.
Can’t say a lot about phsyics until I have the game, but really from the videos there is a lot of hope for us sim racers and if you can’t see that your blind or too stubborn to give any credit.
XaliaS
June 4th, 2009 at 01:07
Pleased to confirm the stupid static iris blur effect is completely gone and replaced, but we knew that already.
Also just for the sake of repeating this too; they must include the options to disable the dynamic hud movement and excessive camera FX in the options. Yes congrats EA, you can market those unique selling points to us! But the majority of all customers are going to turn those features off within 5-10 minutes of play, so better accommodate that and in the demo. I shouldn’t have to hack them off either.
PvtStash
June 4th, 2009 at 01:14
Where the hell do they get the test drivers from? Do they hang out at the local motor reg and grab the failed learners? You’d think after spending who knows how much cash on making the thing they would at least find someone who can drive the bloody things. :P It does look and sound nice though.
UncleChuckle
June 4th, 2009 at 02:01
I hope we can have the HUD without the movement. I race with the HUD on mainly because I like to know my laptimes etc… And it’s just easier leaving it on than mucking about on a car by car basis.
Really doubting this titles quality. Yes, it LOOKS amazing, but there’s been nothing to convince me we’re looking at the PC’s “Gran Turismo Lite”.
(Because let’s face it, the real Gran Turismo is never coming to the PC. It’s about the only huge exclusive Sony have.)
Niksounds
June 4th, 2009 at 07:55
Wait to try..
wait to try….
world without faith
Sensekhmet
June 4th, 2009 at 09:27
Jesus. What is EA doing with those hopeless test drivers? Have they ever even sat in a car?
It’s like Porsche one day decided to replace Mr. Walther R. and instead have rich hairdressers drive their cars in commercials (which are the main buyers of Porsches nowadays).
Siggs
June 4th, 2009 at 15:41
Well said SCCA, well said!
It really is a shame to see how many people are losing faith in this game, for no apparent reason. Or stubborness… 
That video from Yakshemash was very good. Depite not being in cockpit, the driving look perfectly acceptable for what I would expect, with all the aids turn on like they were. At the very least, I think this wil be far better than GRID handling wise, far better. And grahpically? NOT SO DAMN YELLOW!!! 
.
dadada1
June 4th, 2009 at 18:55
I don’t have any problem with how the driving looks, it seems similar to many of the sims we’re familiar with. The things I really don’t want are bumping and boring with Ai during races, and races limited to 2-3 lap sprints. I like driving, beating the game is less important. Is that too much to ask?