NFSAddons.com News

SHIFT Patch details

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:20:24 -0800

EA sent over the following list of fixes in the upcoming SHIFT patch. It is currently in the testing process, and there is no release date set, yet.

NEW CONTENT/FUNCTIONALITY:

Increased the maximum number of online players from 8 to 12

BUG FIXES - CROSS-PLATFORM:

General game stability and performance improvements

Improved car handling

Fix for issue where some cars would bounce on their suspension during high load situations

Fix for grass sometimes being displayed out of position

Fix for intermittent incorrect driver duel results

Fix for inverted balance slider operation

Fix for online wins and losses occasionally being calculated incorrectly for drift races

Fixed issue where loaned career car would inherit the player's career car tuning settings

Fixed various usability issues with the advanced tuning screens

Fixed lap timing for first lap of rolling start events

Fixed car tuning settings sometimes not taking effect

Fix to prevent rewinding past the start of instant replays

Fixed car livery occasionally appearing all white during driver duel events

Fixed incorrect screens being shown when player is disqualified

Fix for occasional invisible opponents appearing during online drift events

Fix for intermittent hang when skipping quickly through post-race screens

Fix for intermittent hang when pressing X repeatedly in My Cars screen

Fix for missing race groove on point-to-point tracks

Prevented car livery resetting to default after an online race

Fix for advanced tuning not staying unlocked on reload

Fixed invitational event cars getting their setups corrupted and becoming undrivable (e.g. Veryon and Carrera GT)

Fix for Lamborghini's having a low top speed when upgraded

Fix for Corvette Z06 and Dodge Viper not able to move at the start of some events

Fix for some upgraded AI cars bottoming out causing some instability over bumps

Fix upgrade menu bug

Fix for a force feedback strength settings save bug

Fix multi-player settings for AI opponents and drift mode

Fix for vinyls being incorrectly applied on rear wing

Fix for a hang in lobby when accessing friend's list from car select

Fix for profile load bug which skips save select menu when holding down Enter key

Fix for jumping body parts when car resets

PC SPECIFIC:

Improved ATi graphics card support

Improved dynamic vertex buffer usage (performance optimization on all PCs)

Fixed crashes on certain PC configurations when changing shadow settings

Fixed intermittent crash during first lap of races on certain PC configurations

Disabled forced dampening for custom wheel presets on PC

Optimized multi-GPU PC operation

Fix for intermittent missing surface sounds on certain PC configurations

Fix for intermittent black skies

Fix for LAN menu hang for client when host quickly returns to main menu

NFS Shift Console Demos

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:25:50 -0700

Just a heads up, the XBOX360 and PS3 versions of the NFS Shift demos should finally be available tomorrow for your downloading pleasure. The Xbox demo will likely be out first, early in the morning, and the PS3 demo will be out later in the day at around 5pm (your local time. Sony's rules, nothing EA can do about the time discrepancy)

Enjoy!

NFS Shift Released

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:51:02 -0700

With the release of NFS Shift tomorrow, I just wanted to take a quick poll to see who plans on buying it? I got the chance to play it last week and will have a full review up within the next few days. And if my opinion matters at all, I am definitely planning on playing a lot of Shift.

NFS Shift Achievements list

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:51:00 -0700

With only a day before Need for Speed SHIFT hits the stores, we thought we would share the Xbox 360 Achievements / PlayStation 3 Trophy list.

Remember that this is the last day to pre-order Shift.� Don't miss out on all the cool pre-order rewards.� If you're interested in pro-ording NFS Shift, visit Shift.NeedforSpeed.com/preorder.

Without anymore ado, here is the achievements / trophy list for SHIFT:

Trial By Fire
Complete the NFS Live Pre-Race Event (10 pts)

One Small Step
Win your first event (20 pts)

Road to Success
Reach Tier 2 (100 pts)

Chance of a Lifetime
Reach Tier 3 (100 pts)

The Final Countdown
Reach Tier 4 (100 pts)

NFS Live World Champion
Win the NFS Live World Championship (150 pts)

Driving Rookie
Reach Driver Level 2 (10 pts)

Driving Amateur
Reach Driver Level 5 (20 pts)

Driving Semi-Pro
Reach Driver Level 10 (50 pts)

Driving Pro
Reach Driver Level 20 (50 pts)

Driving Veteran
Reach Driver Level 30 (50 pts)

Driving Hero
Reach Driver Level 40 (50 pts)

Driving Legend
Reach Driver Level 50 (50 pts)

Bronze Earner
Earn 5 Bronze Badges (5 pts)

Bronze Hunter
Earn 10 Bronze Badges (10 pts)

Bronze Collector
Earn 15 Bronze Badges (20 pts)

Bronze Master
Earn 20 Bronze Badges (25 pts)

Silver Earner
Earn 5 Silver Badges (5 pts)

Silver Hunter
Earn 10 Silver Badges (10 pts)

Silver Collector
Earn 15 Silver Badges (20 pts)

Silver Master
Earn 20 Silver Badges (25 pts)

Gold Earner
Earn 5 Gold Badges (5 pts)

Gold Hunter
Earn 10 Gold Badges (10 pts)

Gold Collector
Earn 15 Gold Badges (20 pts)

Gold Master
Earn 20 Gold Badges (25 pts)

Platinum Earner
Earn 5 Gold Badges (5 pts)

Platinum Hunter
Earn 10 Gold Badges (10 pts)

Platinum Collector
Earn 15 Gold Badges (20 pts)

Platinum Master
Earn 20 Gold Badges (25 pts)

Small site updates

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 16:23:44 -0700

As you may have noticed, the navigation bar on NFSAddons has changed slightly. It no longer lists each version of NFS, but rather lists the current selected game version, and allows you to change version by clicking on the blue tab. I tried to make it as intuitive as possible, while allowing for more game versions in the future. (The previous navigation was designed to last a few years, but EA went and decided to release 3 NFS verisons this year... screwing that up for me :)

Let me know if you run into any issues using it.

Also, if you have ANY other suggestions for the site, post them here in the comments or send me an email: mike[AT]nfsaddons.com

Drift In Shift

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:42:28 -0700

After a few weeks of quiet since E3 we're pleased to reveal a new game mode for Need for Speed SHIFT: Drifting. In the last few years the sport has rocketed in popularity to point where there are large, successful tournaments around the world. When it came time to add it to SHIFT we wanted to ensure the mode was treated with the same degree of accuracy as the rest of the game so we worked closely with Team Falken driver and World Champion Vaughn Gittin JR. Initially the plan was for Vaughn to play the game a few times and give some feedback but he ended up spending more than 100 hours with the team to make sure the Drift experience was as close to real-life as possible.

The team have worked exceptionally hard to ensure the mode replicated the true driving sensation of Drifting and created the same immersive experience as the rest of the racing in SHIFT - just check out the detail inside Vaughn's Mustang if you want more detail of this. While you could already expect the physics to be as realistic as possible, particular praise should go to the car team who've managed to re-create some classic Drift cars into the game.

Designing and coding a drift mode has always been a very tricky experience particularly when trying to make it accessible for new gamers and hardcore gamers alike so the design team spent a lot of time working to make sure the mode is as hard (or as easy) as you want it to be. For new gamers an Amateur setting teaches the basic of Drifting and then slowly ups the skill level until they can complete against the best.

But wait, that's not all, there's also a video included with this newest news, but since it does not want to cooperate with me, here is the link to the Drifting Video.

NFS Shift: Carlist & Tracklist announced

Fri, 29 May 2009 12:09:58 -0700

EA has released the full carlist and tracklist for Need For Speed: Shift.

There are 67 cars and 18 tracks. The BMW M3 GT2 will be gracing the cover this year.

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 Coup�
2009 BMW M3 GT2
2007 BMW Z4 M Coup�
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 Murci�lago LP640
2007 Lamborghini Revent�n
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 M�gane 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

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

More Shift Screenshots

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:33:32 -0700

Added 5 more NFS Shift screenshots to the site (and also got the Shift section up and running).

What are your thoughts? Do you like the look of Shift so far?

Check out the rest here

Shift update.

Sat, 25 Apr 2009 17:16:24 -0700

We have received more screenshots revealing two more cars for Need For Speed: Shift

Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R aka the "Original GT-R"

We just got hold of some new images from Need for Speed SHIFT and couldn't wait to put them on the site. With some new tracks and new cars revealed these are some of the most interesting screens released so far. In the first shot (above) you can see potentially the oldest car in the game the Nissan Skyline 2000 GT-R aka the "Original GT-R".

As you can see from the photo of the real thing and the screen capture from SHIFT the level of detail SMS have managed to get into the in-game model is incredible.

1994 Nissan Silvia S14
While not as old as the first GT-R today's second car today is almost as highly-thought of.

The Nissan Silvia has proved to be one of their most popular cars with 1994's S14 being the king of the range. In this screen here you can see a range of customisation options with some elements of the car left as stock such as the wheels while other areas have been tuned. Look closely at the rest of the image there are some very obvious hints to the track location and a few cars we've not spoken about yet.

You can read more about these cars at the Need For Speed: Shift website.

NFS:Shift Hands on.

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:18:41 -0800

First off, we would like to thank Bojan from NFSUnlimited for the use of his Hands on review since No one from NFSCars was available to attend the Recent community day.

Second, I apologize for the delay of posting this review. I was out of town for a last minute callout for work and had no recent internet availability to post this news.

Fact sheet

- First person view with detailed fully functional customizable cockpit
- Realistic and detailed driving engine
- True damage model
- Full replay
- Visual and performance customization
- 16 car races
- Lenghty career with several challenges
- Real world tracks

A large car manufacturer' s recent marketing campaign revolved around the word SHIFT. In their eyes it revives them and captures passion and commitment. In a sense we could apply the same slogan to the Need for Speed series: Need for Speed SHIFT aims to make the NFS series stand out again and to reclaim it's recently lost fame of being a top racing game.

I've heard plenty of rumours about the next NFS game being something completely different than anything we've seen in the series, but when I got see the game and play it at the Community Day event in EA UK's studios in UK in mid February, I was stunned. Even though I expected the series to shift away from it's original concept after seeing the first screenshot and reading the press release, I never imagined they would go that far. After seeing the series evolve since Underground 1, this game is a revolution. You begin feeling the change as soon as the race starts and you're flown over the starting grid: cars look incredibly detailed with racing-like body kits and the environment is outstanding. And then the camera ends in the cockpit of the car, yes inside the car with dashboard view, a feature not seen since NFS Porsche! But that's not all, the cockpit is fully functional, meaning working rpm and speedometer dials, HUD in the Corvette, fully functional rear view mirrors, they even went so far that if you look down (you have interior free look) you see the driver's legs moving when you shift gears, hit the brakes and gas! Yet with all these distractions in the cockpit, it's still surprisingly easy to get used to the interior view. I usually use either the bumper or the hood cam, but here in Shift, the interior cam was the way to go!

The realism doesn't end in the cockpit though: as soon as the race starts you notice that at full gas, your tires will start spinning and the car will not move like you're used to in an NFS game. The physics engine is completely new and never before seen in an NFS game. They say it's about as realistic as the one in Forza 2 or Gran Turismo and I have to agree. Having tried several different cars (Lotus Elise, Audi RS4, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 GT2 and Pagani Zonda) I can say that each car handles very differently and mastering a powerful car like the Zonda will take a lot of effort and preferrably an analogue controller. Flooring the acceleration at low speeds in turns with a Zonda will end in spinning out and with bad luck hitting a wall. And crashing is not a good idea... your car will get damaged and your vision will be blurred for a while, like hitting your head hard into a wall. But once you get used to the car and start messing with the assists (turn off ABS and traction control to go hardcore, or turn on the driving line to go a bit casual), all the frustration will be gone and you'll start enjoying the demanding but genuine driving engine, the great sense of speed and the incredible detail in everything... the cockpit, the world and the AI controlled cars (or your car if you use the chase camera).

And what's best is that's not all Shift has to offer. Expect lenghty carreer with several challenges, 16 players races, online vs. real people, several real world tracks and tracks based on real locations (like downtown London), full customization, both interior and exterior, performance tuning and something that hasn't been seen in an NFS game for a while now: full race replays.

But like every other game around, Shift too is not perfect. There's several features that we would want in a racing game, but were not part of the demo we played, starting with night racing and weather effects. Another thing is visual parts affecting performance of the car, something that was present in ProStreet, but missing here. Also I would love to see one or two tracks based on roads (either real or imaginary). Remember the staged Alps and Coastal tracks in The Need for Speed?

Now if you are getting worried that this is not the Need for Speed you are used to, you'd be correct; it's not. It is completely different, but the core features are still here: great sense of speed and a large selection of top cars. The driving model does take a while of getting used to, but it's really enjoyable once you master it. With a few improvements and hopefully well made features like visual customization we can hope for a great product even before the traditionally November release date.

Additionally there are 5 newly released Screenshots in our NFS: Shift screenshots section.

Originally written by our friend Bojan of NFSUnlimited.net.