Gaming's Most Pathetic Character: The Making of Baby Steps
Baby Steps, the latest comedy game from Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo, has been met with both laughter and frustration. Players are tasked with guiding Nate, a socially awkward and incompetent protagonist, through a series of arduous hiking challenges.
At its core, the game is a joke about the comfortable gaming experiences we've become accustomed to. However, as players delve deeper into the world of Baby Steps, they begin to form an unlikely connection with Nate's lovable but pathetic personality.
"I thought it would be cute," says Foddy, "but working on character design and animation brings you over to liking big butts." This is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Nate's large physique, which has become an iconic part of the game's humor.
The development process behind Baby Steps was marked by experimentation and improvisation. According to Cuzzillo, the voice acting for the game was improvised, with both developers bringing their own unique perspectives to the role of Nate.
"Nate is one manifestation of my personality," says Cuzzillo. "He's an aspect of who I am." This connection between the game's protagonist and its creators has helped to foster a sense of authenticity and sincerity in Baby Steps.
Throughout the game, players are subjected to increasingly absurd challenges, from navigating treacherous terrain to dealing with Nate's phallic fixation on fruit. However, despite these comedic moments, Foddy and Cuzzillo have managed to craft a game that explores deeper themes of masculinity and vulnerability.
"It should be that it starts out feeling arduous and awkward and annoying and hostile, and then we try to bring you around to find pleasure in it," explains Foddy. This philosophy is evident in the game's narrative, which takes players on a journey of self-discovery with Nate as their unlikely guide.
Ultimately, Baby Steps is a game that defies easy categorization. It is both a joke and a sincere exploration of human emotions, a commentary on our society's expectations of masculinity and vulnerability. As Cuzzillo notes, "Nate is a microcosm of the whole game, where it's both a piss-take and sincere at the same time."
As players navigate the world of Baby Steps, they are invited to confront their own insecurities and vulnerabilities alongside Nate. It's a journey that can be both frustrating and exhilarating, but ultimately, one that leaves a lasting impression on those who take on the challenge.
In an era where gamers are often expected to conform to certain expectations or stereotypes, Baby Steps offers a refreshing alternative. By embracing its absurdity and vulnerability, Foddy and Cuzzillo have created a game that will leave you both laughing and nodding in recognition – it's a loving mockery, because it's also who we are.
Baby Steps, the latest comedy game from Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo, has been met with both laughter and frustration. Players are tasked with guiding Nate, a socially awkward and incompetent protagonist, through a series of arduous hiking challenges.
At its core, the game is a joke about the comfortable gaming experiences we've become accustomed to. However, as players delve deeper into the world of Baby Steps, they begin to form an unlikely connection with Nate's lovable but pathetic personality.
"I thought it would be cute," says Foddy, "but working on character design and animation brings you over to liking big butts." This is a tongue-in-cheek reference to Nate's large physique, which has become an iconic part of the game's humor.
The development process behind Baby Steps was marked by experimentation and improvisation. According to Cuzzillo, the voice acting for the game was improvised, with both developers bringing their own unique perspectives to the role of Nate.
"Nate is one manifestation of my personality," says Cuzzillo. "He's an aspect of who I am." This connection between the game's protagonist and its creators has helped to foster a sense of authenticity and sincerity in Baby Steps.
Throughout the game, players are subjected to increasingly absurd challenges, from navigating treacherous terrain to dealing with Nate's phallic fixation on fruit. However, despite these comedic moments, Foddy and Cuzzillo have managed to craft a game that explores deeper themes of masculinity and vulnerability.
"It should be that it starts out feeling arduous and awkward and annoying and hostile, and then we try to bring you around to find pleasure in it," explains Foddy. This philosophy is evident in the game's narrative, which takes players on a journey of self-discovery with Nate as their unlikely guide.
Ultimately, Baby Steps is a game that defies easy categorization. It is both a joke and a sincere exploration of human emotions, a commentary on our society's expectations of masculinity and vulnerability. As Cuzzillo notes, "Nate is a microcosm of the whole game, where it's both a piss-take and sincere at the same time."
As players navigate the world of Baby Steps, they are invited to confront their own insecurities and vulnerabilities alongside Nate. It's a journey that can be both frustrating and exhilarating, but ultimately, one that leaves a lasting impression on those who take on the challenge.
In an era where gamers are often expected to conform to certain expectations or stereotypes, Baby Steps offers a refreshing alternative. By embracing its absurdity and vulnerability, Foddy and Cuzzillo have created a game that will leave you both laughing and nodding in recognition – it's a loving mockery, because it's also who we are.
. i think its amazing how the devs were able to create this lovable but pathetic character and turn him into something relatable. its not often that you see a game tackle masculinity and vulnerability in such a nuanced way 
. and omg gabe cuzzillo's voice acting is everything 
. also, i'm so down for a game that makes me laugh and cringe at the same time 
. it just goes to show that gaming can be more than just mindless fun – its a reflection of our own insecurities and quirks 
. It's like Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo are poking fun at the gaming community's tendency to expect perfect characters, but also tapping into how we all wish we were a bit more confident (or not). The way the game pokes fun at traditional gaming tropes is on point 
, and it's awesome to see creators taking risks like this. I mean, who wouldn't want to play as a socially awkward, phallic-obsessed protagonist with a big personality? 
developers actually brought their own personality to the role which makes it even funnier 
its like u r walking through this awkward journey with nate and maybe thats why its so enjoyable 
! At first I was like "what's going on with this guy?" but the more I played, the more I felt for him 
? It's actually pretty relatable. And yeah, the humor in this game can be a bit cringeworthy at times 
. So, if you're looking for a game that'll make you laugh and maybe even feel a little vulnerable, Baby Steps is def worth checking out 
i think what i love most about baby steps is how it tackles deeper themes like masculinity and vulnerability in a way that's both silly and sincere 
80% of his animations are just him tripping over his own feet 
also, the game's developer, Bennett Foddy, is only 32 years old and he's already released 3 successful games in his career 
stats:
Top streamed moment: Nate gets stuck in a tree for 10 seconds (13k views)
Revenue growth: 100% YoY
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), but then you start to see Nate's vulnerability and it just hits you 
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. It's like, we're always supposed to be tough and stoic, but really we're all just a bunch of messes trying to figure things out 
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