Electronic Entertainment Expo - E3 2009

Fresh off a successful E3, Producer Jesse Abney sat down with EA.com to talk about the upcoming Need for Speed SHIFT, shipping this fall on PC, PLAYSTATION 3, PSP, and Xbox 360. Read on to learn more about one of the most ground-breaking entries in the legendary Need for Speed franchise.

Q: What’s the concept behind the game and how did it come about?
A: Need for Speed SHIFT is all about the true driver’s experience. The game replicates the true feeling of racing high-end performance cars like never before. Players are thrust into the heart of the action with immersive and exciting features including a stunningly realistic first-person cockpit view camera and an all-new crash mechanic, providing an unrivaled sensation of the speed and feeling of racing a car on the extreme edge of control. Players are rewarded for the way they drive--from moment to moment and from race to race whether you’re online or playing through your career.

Q: How does Need for Speed SHIFT differ from other titles in the franchise?
A: One of the features that Need for Speed SHIFT really delivers is the feeling of being behind the wheel. Yes, first person has been done before in other racing games but not to the level of sophistication that Slightly Mad Studios has created. Need for Speed SHIFT uses real-life forces and several mechanisms to communicate the feeling of actually driving a real race car. The player’s head is affected by G-forces that result from heavy breaking, accelerating and cornering. We’ve also added a depth-of-field effect the shifts the driver’s focus depending whether they are speeding up or slowing down. The subtle details are also very important to reinforce the tension and the emotions of racing. For example, the driver’s grip on the steering wheel changes depending on the situation you are in.

There is also an all-new crash dynamic that is a combination of exciting and disorienting screen effects and audio. When the player hits a static object or opponent car, they should feel somewhat hindered by the experience—I liken it to being shot at or a grenade going off in a modern first-person shooter.

Q: What are some of the premier cars we can expect to see in the game?
A: Need for Speed has a long tradition of featuring some of the world’s top cars. With nearly 70 cars available in Need for Speed SHIFT, there’s a ride to suit every player’s taste and driving style. Some of the premier cars in the game include the Lamborghini Reventón, the Bugatti Veyron, and our hero car, the BMW M3 GT2.

Q: What can you tell us about the hero car?
A: The BMW M3 GT2 is a one-of-a-kind race car that competes in American LeMans Series. Without a doubt this spectacular cover car is one of the fastest, most powerful cars ever to be featured in a Need for Speed game.

Q: What's the one thought/feeling about the game you want people to come away from E3 with?
A: Need for Speed SHIFT is the most intense and immersive racing game ever. From perfectly modeled cockpits to an ultra-realistic physics engine, players will feel every bump as they race around some of the world’s top tracks. Plus, our driver profile system analyzes a player’s driving style to create rivalries, trigger specific challenges and even unlock vehicles and customization options for an even more amazing racing experience.

While at the Need for Speed Shift NOS Energy Drink VIP party, I had a chance to talk with producer Jesse Abney.

Congratulations to Mitchell Francis, the winner of the Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car Competition at E3.

Mitchell was at work when he got the call that he had made it to the finals of the Need for Speed SHIFT Hero Car competition. He just left work, came down to E3 and won! After he won he had to call work to tell his boss why he left and that he won. don't worry though, he still has his job.

We'll be posting complete coverage of the competition in the next few days so keep your eye on needforspeed.com.

When the Need for Speed Shift team joined forces with NOS Energy Drink, good time were sure to follow.   Highlights of the evening included Need for Speed shift gaming stations, an open bar with Vodka and NOS coctails, and a dance-0ff for a free NOS t-shirt.

We would like to especailly thank the guys from 360Junkies and AnalogHype for coming out.  We also hope that all the winners from NFSDrew's twitter give away had a good time as well.

-John Riciitiello EA's CEO is on the stage 

-The Sims 3 Trailer.  The Sims 3 is in stores tomorrow!

-On Stage: Chip Lange GM of EA's Hasbro Division- Littlest Pet Shop!  Three new adventures to take your pets coming this fall, not to mention all new ---Littlest Pet Shop Online!

-Purchase a Littlest Pet Shop Plush Toy and get a code to activate the pey's online life, connect with friends in a safe online world!

-On Stage: Dyan Williams, Sr. Producer of The Charm Girls Club, for the Wii and NDS.  Four girls on stage to demo Charm Girls Club Pajama Party.

-On Stage: Pat Soderland on the Need for Speed team- Unveiling the all new Driver Profiles in NFS Shift.

-Driver Profiles give players a unique persona based on their performance.

-Brand New BMW M3 will be given away in the E3 booth at the end of the show on Thursday, NFS Shift Tournament will determine the winner.

-On Stage: Drs. Ray Muzyuka and Greg Zeschuk: Dragon Age Origins is going to be deeper, darker and lustier than anything BioWare has ever done before.

 -Will post the trailer here later, check back!  Dragon Age Origins out October 20th.

-On Stage: The Drs. are back.  Mass Effect 2 Trailer.