SHIFT Q&A

[Bojan]

Even with all the info out on SHIFT now, I'm sure you have a lot of questions regarding the game.
Go ahead ask, what I know I'll answer, the rest we'll compile into a list and send to the producers every couple of months.

(I'll be editing your posts with answers)

[prince1142003]

1. Compared to ProStreet, what level of visual customization can we expect?
   -> for the producers
2. Will the visual customizations affect the car's performance?
   -> not planned right now, but we'll forward it on again
3. Compared to Underground 2, how involved of a performance tuning system can we expect?
   -> for the producers
4. Will the level of detail experienced in the released screenshots carry over to the PC version?
   -> screenshots possibly are from the PC version - PC version really does look that amazing
5. Any indiciation if the PC version will require DirectX 10 to look that stunning?
   -> for the producers
6. Any estimates on the total amount of cars available?
   -> they say around 80
7. How will the buying system work? Will you have to buy cars on your own, or are you a part of a racing group that only has access to certain cars?
   -> for the producers
8. Will items be locked as in previous games, or will our purchases only be restricted by how much cash we have?
   -> for the producers
9. Any plans for regularly released DLC?
   -> for the producers

[Andre_online]

Is this a pure duplication of Grid? How does it compare to it in terms of gameplay? New game modes (or possibly revival of some, like Drag)?

[Bojan]

Sorry I haven't really played GRID. For the questions we send, it be better send a bit more specific questions. Just don't ask about the car list.

[Andre_online]

Wasn't intending to do so. Heh! Replay mode perhaps?

[Bojan]

I know, I mean to all others who might be posting here
Replays are in, as mentioned here.

[prince1142003]

Will there be a My Cars mode to customize and race cars outside of career mode?
-> for the producers

[Porsche-AG]

1. Does the team plan on including any weather/environmental effects whatsoever (anything as slight as night racing or fog to something as significant as rain or even snow)? And if so, will these effects have an impact on the way the cars handle?
-> right now no weather effects are planned

2. Are there going to be multiple tracks for each "course" or will each course have its set route (Ex: different "tracks" in London, similar to PGR)?
-> in the demo we played, the route of the course depended on the cars we raced - the faster cars had a longer version of the track (Brands Hatch)

3. Any estimate on the number of courses the game will have (or tracks if each course has multiple tracks)?
-> for the producers

4. How will vinyls/decals compare with Forza 2's system (dozens, hundreds, thousands of layers)?
-> for the producers

[Hydro_PT]

1. Apart from the normal races, what game modes can we expect? Drift, Drag or something new will be added? Or just normal circuit racing?

2. How many tracks are planned? And will all of them have variations?

3. Will the visual customization focus more on racing bodykits, spoilers, wheels, decals, etc?

4. Is there any performance tuning feature being developed? Like upgrading the car's engine, transmission, tires, that kind of stuff. Is there a dyno to perform tests like Underground 2?

5. After seeing the recent images of the game, will be necessary a great hardware to run the game properly? Or will the game engine be optimized to offer an experience similar to Race Driver GRID?

[Dr Houbenheimer]

Is this a pure duplication of Grid? How does it compare to it in terms of gameplay? New game modes (or possibly revival of some, like Drag)?

Drag would be pretty cool, though I guess it would have to be more like Prostreets drag than something like UG2's

[Andre_online]

Well definitely, seeing where SHIFT is heading towards.

[Zotic+]

Will you be able to swap engines or put different engines in? (ex. put a corvette engine in an audi or put a v8 i an audi.)

[Dr Houbenheimer]

Will you be able to swap engines or put different engines in? (ex. put a corvette engine in an audi or put a v8 i an audi.)

Why would you want to do that?

[prince1142003]

Because

[Andre_online]

Will you be able to swap engines or put different engines in? (ex. put a corvette engine in an audi or put a v8 i an audi.)

I think we'd be expecting too much out of an NFS if EA did that.. Be thankful of what we'll be getting come this fall/winter.

[prince1142003]

Question for Bojan/Producers:

Will there be additional camera views other than cockpit?

[Bojan]

In the demo there was cockpit, bumper and I think hood and two rear cameras. The standard set anyway.

[vZv]

1. Is there going to be "car tier's" ??
2. Is there going to be option to turn game from sim to arcade for those guys who dont like simulators ??
3. Will game run smoother than NFS Undercover on same hardware ??
4. Is "auto-sculpt" in ???
5. Is there "quick race" menu ??
6. How big/long career is ??
7. Is there planned licensed music soundtrack ??
8. Is there planned to release demo before full version release ?

[korge]

2. Is there going to be option to turn game from sim to arcade for those guys who dont like simulators ??

They already said it would have different levels of difficulty and realism for all types of players.

[vZv]

Well it might meant a lot of things, like more hard core or less hardcore but still sim. I just want direct answer from them, with just one word. Either "yes" or "no".

[Bojan]

Any more specific questions out there now with plenty of new information being revealed.
I was planning on sending out the first batch of questions sometime this week.

[prince1142003]

Can we get any specifics on drift races? IE, will they follow ProStreet's model, or will it be more like UG2's with multiple competitors at the same time? Will it involve different physics from the normal race modes, or will a car feel the same in drift as it does in other modes?

I might add a few more later today.

[prince1142003]

I know double posting = bad, but since I want the topic to show up with new posts....

We've heard replay mode will be there. How will this integrate with online play? Will we be able to post spectacular replays to our online accounts?

Will shadows be involved, like in ProStreet?

[An Exotic Classic]

Is customization of the cars body going to affect performance like in Pro Street or is there going to be no body customization?

[Dr Houbenheimer]

adding on to the previous post "what will be the extent of visual custimization, will you be expanding on the last iteration in the series?

Is there any new multiplayer features we haven't heard about?