Released in 2011, Driver: San Francisco is widely considered one of the most innovative open-world racing games ever made. It introduced the , allowing the protagonist, John Tanner, to teleport his consciousness instantly into any vehicle on the road.

However, the Shift ability is not limitless; it is governed by its own set of internal rules. —such as performing long drifts, jumps, and driving against oncoming traffic—is the central resource that governs the use of this power. As the game progresses, this ability can be upgraded, increasing its range and effectiveness and opening up new tactical possibilities.