The starting gun fires, a digital roar echoing through the virtual arena. It’s Lap Dogs, a high-octane experience where adorable Shiboshis and Sheboshis, those beloved mascots of the Shib ecosystem, transform into fierce competitors. Here, speed is not enough; strategy is paramount. It’s a world where carefully timed abilities and strategically deployed pickups can mean the difference between victory and a tumble into the digital dust.
Lap Dogs arrives as a free, standalone experience, a more lightweight alternative to the full SHIB: The Metaverse, accessible through the Shib Portal via the official Metaverse or Play with Shib websites. While currently confined to Windows, the team is actively working to expand its reach, promising a future where more players can join the race.
As Angel, Shib Games Lead, shared with The Shib, “We’re thrilled to bring our new game, Lap Dogs, to Windows. A lot of us grew up gaming on PC and we know many gamers prefer that experience – whether it’s the precision, the screen size, or just the vibe of sitting at your desk ready to dive in.” It’s an opportunity to experience the thrill of competition in a new and accessible way.
The objective of Lap Dogs is deceptively simple: race to the finish line. But the path to victory is far from straightforward. It’s a dance of speed and strategy, where players must master the art of drifting around corners, timing their jumps to clear obstacles, and using their abilities to disrupt their opponents.
The ability to customize key bindings allows players to tailor the controls to their own preferences, creating a more personalized and intuitive experience. And when the inevitable happens – a wrong turn, a collision, or a tumble into a digital ditch – the respawn feature offers a quick reset, allowing players to get back into the action without missing a beat.
The four Shib classes are not just cosmetic choices; they are strategic archetypes, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. The Good Boi, with its balanced abilities, is a perfect starting point for new racers, offering a gentle introduction to the game’s mechanics. The Chonky Boi, with its no-nonsense approach, is a force to be reckoned with, brushing off distractions and steadfastly moving forward.
The Cool Boi, with its mastery of ice magic, transforms the track into a strategic chessboard, allowing players to control the flow of the race and hinder their opponents. And the Zoomy Boi, with its speed-focused abilities, rewards players who have mastered the track, allowing them to zoom past the competition with breathtaking velocity.
Pickups are the wild cards of Lap Dogs, capable of dramatically shifting the course of a race. They are not just random power-ups but strategic tools that can be used to gain an advantage or sabotage your opponents.
The Trip Wire, the Homing Missile, and the Tar Pit are all designed to hinder your rivals, creating chaos and disrupting their momentum. The Shiny Bone, the Jetpack and the Boxing Gloves, on the other hand, are designed to give you a personal advantage, allowing you to become temporarily invincible, fly over obstacles, or punch your way to the front of the pack.
The fact that acquiring a new pickup replaces the previous one forces players to make strategic choices, adding another layer of depth to the gameplay.
The two available tracks, inspired by iconic locations within the Shib: The Metaverse, offer distinct challenges and require different racing strategies.
Ryoshi Plaza, with its wide lanes and minimal obstacles, is a perfect training ground for new racers, allowing them to focus on mastering the basics of movement and ability usage.
Rocket Pond, on the other hand, is a high-stakes track that demands sharp reflexes and skillful navigation, with tight corridors and unpredictable hazards that can send you tumbling off the track.
Lap Dogs is not a finished product; it’s a living, breathing game that is constantly evolving. The game is currently in early access, and the developers are actively seeking player feedback to shape its future.
The Play with Shib Discord is the hub for this community-driven development, where players can share their thoughts, report bugs, and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the game. It’s a collaborative project, where the community plays a vital role in shaping its destiny.
While the specifics of the roadmap remain under wraps, the future of Lap Dogs is filled with exciting possibilities. Tournaments, where players can test their skills against the best of the best, are on the horizon.
The ability to use your own Shiboshi and Sheboshi NFTs as in-game characters is also in development, promising a deeper level of personalization and ownership. And with the promise of more classes and tracks to come, the world of Lap Dogs is set to become even more varied and engaging.
Lap Dogs transcends the boundaries of typical racing, offering a glimpse into a future where gaming is more accessible, more strategic, and more fun. It’s a new breed of speed, and the race has just begun. As Angel noted, “For those who have already explored Shib: The Metaverse, you’ll recognize the same level of detail and care in this game. The graphics shine on PC, delivering a crisp, next-level experience.”
What will you discover when you unleash your inner Shiboshi on the track?
“This doesn’t mean we’re stepping away from mobile; mobile gaming remains a significant part of what we do. But with this launch, we’re making it easier than ever to enjoy our universe on your terms. As our player-powered economy evolves, we’re committed to giving players ways to engage, compete, and truly own their progress. See you on the leaderboards,” Angel said.
The track is calling. Download Lap Dogs today and join the journey.
