In the high-speed world of Lap Dogs, where adorable Shiboshis and Sheboshis race across dynamic tracks, players are greeted not just with thrilling action but with a refreshing blend of nostalgia, strategy, and innovation. A game that blends the exciting rush of arcade racing with unique character abilities, fast-paced mechanics, and even the integration of NFTs, Lap Dogs stands as a unique experience in the growing Play with Shib ecosystem.
At the helm of this creative and technological endeavor are Max, a game designer at Shib Games, and Elia, the technical director at Shib: The Metaverse. Both spent countless hours fine-tuning the game’s mechanics, designing quirky characters, and bringing the racetrack to life.
They recently gave The Shib an exclusive opportunity to discuss their design philosophy, gameplay mechanics, technical challenges, and the future of Lap Dogs, offering us a rare glimpse into the world they’ve built.
Our primary goal was to create a casual/arcade racing game that leverages our Shiboshis and Sheboshis and provides a perfect blend of fun and skill,” said Max, the lead game designer at Shib Games.
“We wanted the game to be super easy to pick up, yet challenging for skilled players to master. You can jump into the game and race without hesitation, but there’s always room for strategy when you start to understand the track, abilities, and pickups.”
The decision to keep Lap Dogs separate from Shib: The Metaverse was deliberate. Max explained, “We wanted players to be able to jump straight into a race without going through the Metaverse every time. It’s about accessibility, about minimizing friction for players. In the future, depending on community feedback, we might integrate it, but right now, it’s about making racing as quick and fun as possible.”
One of the most exciting features of Lap Dogs is the wide array of Shiboshi characters, each with their own unique abilities. From the speed-demon Zoomy Boi to the powerful Chonky Boi, each class offers a different racing experience. “The abilities were designed around the theme of each class,” Max explained. “We wanted to emulate the various archetype characters you see in racing and action games — the agile ones, the heavy-hitters, the sneaky ones, and so on.”
Balancing these classes was no small feat. “We spent weeks playtesting to ensure each class had a fair chance of winning, while making sure no one felt too overpowered or weak,” Max added.
What would a racing game be without the occasional twist of fate and Lap Dogs delivers with its lineup of chaotic pickups. From Trip Wires to Jetpacks, these items add layers of strategy that keep every race unpredictable.
Elia, the technical director, delved into the design of these power-ups: “Each pickup was added with one thing in mind: to create dynamic, strategic, and fun moments. We wanted to keep the race leaderboard fluid, and these pickups help mix things up.”
Max gave further insight into how the pickups work in the game: “Take the Trip Wire, for example. It introduces a defensive strategy — you can place it on a tight corner, and suddenly, the player behind you has to avoid it or risk losing speed.”
Meanwhile, the Homing Missile takes a more aggressive approach. Elia noted, “The homing missile targets the player in the lead. It’s a game-changer because it can suddenly flip the tables — you might be in last place, but with the right timing, you could be in first.”
Designing a game with fast-moving mechanics and high-speed racing brings with it its fair share of challenges. “The biggest hurdle was balancing speed and control,” Elia shared.
“You want the game to feel responsive without making it too hard to navigate tight turns or handle obstacles.” Overcoming this involved fine-tuning physics and ensuring that the different classes felt unique in their handling.
Equally challenging was maintaining performance during high-speed action. “Lag can be an issue, especially when multiple players are involved, so we had to optimize the game to ensure smooth performance,” Elia explained. “We spent a lot of time testing and refining, making sure it runs fluidly on a variety of systems.”
When it comes to Lap Dogs’ track design, the game stays true to its Shib: The Metaverse roots while offering something distinctly its own. “The tracks are inspired by elements of the Metaverse, but they stand on their own,” Max said, hinting that players might spot familiar landmarks from the broader Shiba Inu world. “We wanted players to feel like they’re racing through familiar environments, but with fresh perspectives and challenges.”
Tracks like Ryoshi Plaza and Rocket Pond Track offer varied landscapes that keep the racing experience fresh, but Max teased that more exciting locations are on the horizon. “Expect new, original tracks alongside some familiar ones in future updates,” he promises.
Beyond the races, Lap Dogs offers players a chance to engage with the broader Shiba Inu community. Competitive events and tournaments are already on the roadmap, with Elia confirming, “We’re planning regular tournaments and community-driven events. Players will be able to participate in head-to-head races, with exclusive rewards for top performers.”
Though Lap Dogs debuts on Windows, Elia and his team have big plans for expanding to other platforms, including consoles and mobile. “We chose Windows initially for its broad user base and the development-friendly environment,” Elia explains. “But we’re already planning to bring it to other systems, including Linux and mobile devices, in the future.”
In terms of optimization, Elia noted that Lap Dogs is designed to be more lightweight than the Metaverse experience. “By utilizing Shader Model 6 and streamlining asset management, we’ve ensured that Lap Dogs runs smoothly on mid-range and entry-level systems, without sacrificing visual quality.”
Max and Elia are excited about the game’s roadmap. More Shibo classes are coming, as are additional tracks and customization options.
“We’re already working on new Shibo classes that will bring fresh playstyles to the game,” Max shared. “Expect even more ways to race, strategize, and compete.”
Meanwhile, Elia underlined the importance of community feedback. “Our players are an integral part of the process. We listen closely to their feedback through our Discord, social media, and official forums, and we use that input to improve the game. Expect regular updates every quarter, including bug fixes, quality-of-life improvements, and new content.”
Lap Dogs is an evolving, community-driven experience that combines the thrill of racing with the power of NFTs, character-based strategy, and total action. As Max put it, “Our aspiration is simple: we want Lap Dogs to be fun, exciting, and enjoyable for everyone, while also providing a high-skill ceiling for those who want to challenge themselves.”
With upcoming tournaments, more Shibo classes, and a host of new features, Lap Dogs is setting the stage for a racing experience like no other. As Elia summed up, “Buckle up and get ready for the ride of your life. We can’t wait to see you on the track.”
