What is Perfect Lap?
Hello there! So, this is the proper introduction post to Perfect Lap. There’s quite a lot to break down, as this game is quite a bit a way ahead in development than you might think (its technically playable, physics build and all). So, with that said. What is Perfect Lap?
What is this?
Well, to be keep it simple Perfect Lap is an arcade style racing game. To elaborate on that statement, Perfect Lap is an anime style racing game that was born out of my love of a few things: cars, anime, arcade games, and gaming in general. The first two biggest influences bar none are the Auto Modellista (2002) and Ridge Racer Type 4 (1998). You’re probably wondering why I put the dates of those games in brackets. Here’s why…
Why did I make it?
From around 2014, 2015 I’ve felt that games, but in particular racing games have somewhat stagnated. There’s been a sort of lack of innovation or just simply trying new things and seeing what works. Whether its mechanics, art styles or just simply gameplay (how many simcades. Sims do we really need? Why is everything free-roam? Why is there four different versions of need for speed most wanted?) I don’t really know why any of these things I perceive as problems exist (plenty of people love these games) so I thought I’d simply say “why not” and threw my hat in the ring. I wanted to be the solution I wanted to see. That’s the over-arching premise of why Perfect Lap exists. They’re also other questions to answer to;
Why the anime style?
Well, why not? Auto Modellista is older than a large portion of gen-Z. The game visually hasn’t lost a step. Ridge Racer Type 4 (and Ridge Racer in general) is still a visual and audial treat after all these years. Because A.M was a commercial failure, Capcom never went for it again. But I’m not a suit at Capcom, I’m just some dude who really loves games, really loves cars and really loves Anime. Anime is more popular than ever, so why not go for this?
Why that name?
Perfect Lap was actually called Max Throttle originally. One of the key things/themes in this game is best summed by a famous rally driver. When in doubt, flat out. In Perfect Lap, you want to be taking risks, all the time. Trying to go as fast as you possibly can. Everything within the game loop will encourage and reward this. In that sense, you’re effectively chasing Perfection. Trying to go faster with every passing moment, trying to find the Perfect Lap. As the games systems took solidified, that name effectively took form into my head. Perfect Lap is more or less a summary of the titles gameplay loop.
When in doubt, flat out. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EtJ9FUduPs
Who is it aimed at?
Perfect Lap is aimed at, first and foremost fans of racing games. Any type of racing game, sim fans, arcade fans, just people that like, have liked or have ever thought about trying racing games. This is where the core fans will lie. However, it is important to note that Perfect Lap is not just aimed at gear heads, but also people that are fans of gaming in general. Something that I feel racing games have lost in the recent years, is that they are way too focused on signalling their games towards people who are already into cars and car culture. This is great and all (I’m doing it too) but its resulted in a strange sort of tunnel vision effect. Gran Turismo in 1997 was special not because it encapsulated a period in time, but presented itself with so much pride and open hands that it created an entire generation of car fans. I’m one of them. I want Perfect Lap to do something very similar with its world and presentation. The cars, teams, lore may be fictional but the time care and love will not be. This is something that I want to be felt every step of the way in Perfect Lap, from the moment you open the game until the time you shut it off.
