Does Baby Steps creator Bennett Foddy actually want to make you mad?

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Baby Steps can be really frustrating to play, and you might wonder if the creators just want to make things difficult. But it’s not that simple – there’s more to it than just wanting to challenge players.

Like games such as Getting Over It and QWOP, Baby Steps is incredibly challenging and can be very frustrating. The game is intentionally designed to make players stumble and lose their progress, no matter how skilled they are. Expect to fall, slide backwards, and have to start over frequently.

This is all key to recovering, taking a breath, and trying again – even if it’s your fourteenth attempt. Dealing with difficulty is built into the experience, a hallmark of games created by Bennett Foddy.

I finally got to talk to the creator of Baby Steps, along with the other developers, Gabe Cuzzillo and Maxi Boch, and I just *had* to ask the burning question: do they actually enjoy watching us struggle through the game? It was something I needed to know!

Okay, so the guy who made *Getting Over It* has done it again! This new game, *Baby Steps*, is just as frustrating. You literally control every single step your character takes, and trust me, you *will* get mad. It’s the same kind of rage-inducing challenge, but with walking!

— TopMob (@TopMob) September 18, 2025

Do the Baby Steps creators enjoy making players mad?

It’s a tricky question. Although the game *Baby Steps* sometimes aims to frustrate players, its creator, Bennett Foddy, doesn’t believe frustration is always a bad thing.

He explained that frustration comes in different forms, comparing it to the urge to pick at a scab. He admitted that he actually finds that particular type of frustration enjoyable.

Foddy admits he gets frustrated with his own games too, even quitting ‘Baby Steps’ when he’s really angry. However, he believes that even getting annoyed or upset *adds* to the experience, creating excitement and making the game more engaging because you feel like something’s at stake.

That’s what makes video games different from things like movies or books – there’s a real sense of risk and consequence, something important is at stake.

When it comes to watching people struggle with his games, Foddy has a straightforward answer: he avoids it. Despite the popularity his games gain from viral videos and streams, he doesn’t watch them.

I know it might seem strange coming from me, but I can’t bring myself to watch it. Seeing their suffering is too upsetting, and it makes me feel bad.

Baby Steps devs biggest tips for improving

Okay, so as a Baby Steps fan, I’ve been thinking… we *know* things are gonna be tough for the characters before they get better, that’s just part of the story. But I’m wondering, what could the players actually *do* to speed up their progress and see results a little faster?

It’s hard to offer advice on developing mechanical skill – it mostly comes with practice. However, all three developers shared some personal tips to make the learning process more enjoyable.

Cuzzillo added, suggesting we appreciate everything we encounter and not focus too intensely on any single thing.

“Take some breaks,” Boch added. “Gameplay skills cement really well with some sleep.”

“Brush your teeth every day,” Foddy said. “And floss!”

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2025-09-24 02:49