the game was inspired by the 1986 arcade game "out run" and 1962 cult film "il sorpasso", featuring commedia all'italiana which the developers attempted to attach to the release. during an interview with designer, producer, and programmer pietro riva, noted that "wheels" "is the natural evolution" of the "driving game" mentality set out in the "out run" series. riva also noted that "il sorpasso" was the "movie that single-handedly inspired ["wheels of aurelia"] — the main reference" riva also mentions that other driving games were inspiration for the game including 1993's "world rally championship", and 1994's "great 1000 mile rally" as inspiration for the visual aspect of the game. riva had spent some time discussing with co-developer nicolò sala regarding making a game set in italy before working on the project. along with this, riva wanted to research how the country was in the generation before his, "because it always felt like we were living – as kids – in the aftermath of something important."