[2][1] Shift 2: Unleashed features over 145 cars from more than 37 manufacturers and over 36 different tracks, which players can compete in several types of races.
Shift 2 claims to redefine the racing simulator genre by delivering authentic and true-to-life dynamic crash physics, intricately detailed real-world cars, drivers and tracks.
As the car comes up to higher speeds, the edges of the screen will become blurred to simulate the tunnel-vision effect that drivers suffer when racing.
[14] Shift 2's night racing also appears to be more advanced, with headlights dimming or turning off completely if damaged, further narrowing the player's view.
[20] The rumors started when Chris McClure, who left Slightly Mad Studios for CCP, updated his profile on professional networking site Linkedin to include the work he had been doing prior to his departure.
"[21][22] Shift 2 was confirmed when EA listed the game in their first quarter financial report as a Q4 2011 title (i.e. Q1 2011 in calendar year) for consoles and PC.
[23] The game was officially announced as Shift 2: Unleashed on November 16, 2010, with a teaser trailer, the same day as Hot Pursuit was released in the US .
"Shift 2 is redefining immersive racing by blending the rush of tearing up the track at unbelievable speeds with the emotional experience of competitive battle", said executive producer Marcus Nilsson.
"We are also working closely with real-world performance drivers to ensure that Shift 2 Unleashed captures their experience and becomes the benchmark in authentic racing action."
Two weeks before Shift 2 was announced did EA executive Patrick Soderlund said, "We think we can compete and ultimately become market leading in the simulation authentic motorsport segment.
One of the strongest points we have is, apart from the fact we have a very talented developer working with us and we now have an established brand underneath the NFS umbrella in that segment, we also have the advantage of being a multi-platform offering.
[26] EA's Patrick Soderlund revealed that he believes Shift 2: Unleashed can outdo Gran Turismo 5 when it comes to providing an "authentic driving experience".
"But you want those incremental steps to be a bit of a handholding exercise – Shift was developed as an acknowledgement that our fan base has grown up with us over 17 years.
"[31] Lead designer, Andy Tudor said Shift 2: Unleashed is injecting "emotional and social aspects" into the sequel, which take it beyond "being a numbers game".
"The simulation genre, really, is just a numbers game at the moment; it's all about, 'We've got the greatest physics engine, and we're going to add 1,000 cars, tracks etcetera.'
The original was part of the Need for Speed family, but the sequel branches out in order to win over simulation racer fans and compete with genre rival Gran Turismo.
The use of Shift as a franchise name is reflective of our desire to establish it as the best simulation racer in the market with its own unique, distinct positioning."
[35]Shift 2 Unleashed contains original soundtracks played during main menu, loading screen, and replay, composed by Ramin Djawadi, Stephen Baysted, Troels Folmann, Mick Gordon, and Mike Reagan.
[2] In a press release issued on February 18, 2011, EA mentioned Shift 2: Unleashed has slipped a week in the Europe to March 31 and in the UK to April 1.
[41] Alpinestars and Need for Speed introduced the Play a Pro Sweepstakes, a contest that gives the winner chance to win a trip to attend the Formula Drift in Long Beach, California on April 8 and 9, 2011, available to residents of the United States only.
One trailer promoted the launch date, which also shows the actual gameplay for the first time to public, an in-car racing sequence between McPhillamy Park to Forrest's Elbow at the Mt Panorama circuit, Bathurst.
"[61] It gained an 8/10 rating from Eurogamer, stating: "As an update to the previous SHIFT title, Unleashed is a significant draft forward.
While the driving itself retains the boisterous character of its predecessor, there's been a considerable tightening of focus in the experience system, which makes every race feel meaningful whether you win or lose.
"[57] It gained a 7.5/10 rating from GameSpot, stating how "Shift 2 may not offer full-on simulation features, but it boasts roller-coaster thrills and a deep sense of immersion in the hectic world of racing.