Game Developers Create Pathetic Protagonist to Explore Masculinity
For Baby Steps, developers Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo drew inspiration from their own social awkwardness and feelings of inadequacy. The game follows Nate, a 35-year-old man who lives in his parents' basement and struggles with masculinity. Through the story and gameplay, the game explores what it means to be a man.
Cuzzillo, who also voiced Nate, says that the character is a manifestation of his own personality. "Nate is one manifestation of my personality," he says. "He's an aspect of who I am." Foddy notes that many players initially dislike Nate, but as they play through the game, they begin to identify with him and see themselves in his struggles.
The game features a range of humorous and relatable moments, including a scene where Nate tries to climb a mountain using only his feet. The developers also drew inspiration from their own experiences with video games, noting that players often create characters who are unprepared and incompetent.
One of the most striking aspects of Baby Steps is its exploration of masculinity. Unlike many games that feature female protagonists, Baby Steps delves into the complexities of male identity. Foddy says, "Men can have problems with masculinity just by themselves." The game's portrayal of Nate's struggles with confidence and competence is both humorous and poignant.
Throughout the game, players are rewarded with short animations of Nate eating fruit. These cutscenes provide a moment of levity in an otherwise frustrating experience. Cuzzillo explains that the developers wanted to create something that would make players feel like they were vicariously experiencing Nate's joy.
The game's use of camera angles and visuals is also noteworthy. The developers drew inspiration from trainspotter Francis Bourgeois, who created a distinctive style of photography. In Baby Steps, this aesthetic is used to great effect, particularly in the cutscenes featuring Nate enjoying fruit.
Ultimately, Baby Steps' final joke is that it's lying to players about the existence of a final destination. Instead, the game concludes with Nate learning to ask for help, a poignant moment that resonates deeply with the player. As Cuzzillo reflects on his own experiences, he realizes that the game has helped him understand its themes better.
In an interview, Cuzzillo notes that the game is both a "piss-take" and sincere at the same time. He feels that it's a microcosm of the whole experience, where players are forced to confront their own insecurities and limitations. As he finishes his first commercial game, Ape Out, Cuzzillo realizes that Baby Steps has helped him grow as a developer.
Baby Steps is a game that will likely polarize players, but its unique blend of humor, relatability, and poignant themes make it a must-play experience for fans of the genre. By creating a character like Nate, Foddy and Cuzzillo have crafted a game that's both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving.
For Baby Steps, developers Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo drew inspiration from their own social awkwardness and feelings of inadequacy. The game follows Nate, a 35-year-old man who lives in his parents' basement and struggles with masculinity. Through the story and gameplay, the game explores what it means to be a man.
Cuzzillo, who also voiced Nate, says that the character is a manifestation of his own personality. "Nate is one manifestation of my personality," he says. "He's an aspect of who I am." Foddy notes that many players initially dislike Nate, but as they play through the game, they begin to identify with him and see themselves in his struggles.
The game features a range of humorous and relatable moments, including a scene where Nate tries to climb a mountain using only his feet. The developers also drew inspiration from their own experiences with video games, noting that players often create characters who are unprepared and incompetent.
One of the most striking aspects of Baby Steps is its exploration of masculinity. Unlike many games that feature female protagonists, Baby Steps delves into the complexities of male identity. Foddy says, "Men can have problems with masculinity just by themselves." The game's portrayal of Nate's struggles with confidence and competence is both humorous and poignant.
Throughout the game, players are rewarded with short animations of Nate eating fruit. These cutscenes provide a moment of levity in an otherwise frustrating experience. Cuzzillo explains that the developers wanted to create something that would make players feel like they were vicariously experiencing Nate's joy.
The game's use of camera angles and visuals is also noteworthy. The developers drew inspiration from trainspotter Francis Bourgeois, who created a distinctive style of photography. In Baby Steps, this aesthetic is used to great effect, particularly in the cutscenes featuring Nate enjoying fruit.
Ultimately, Baby Steps' final joke is that it's lying to players about the existence of a final destination. Instead, the game concludes with Nate learning to ask for help, a poignant moment that resonates deeply with the player. As Cuzzillo reflects on his own experiences, he realizes that the game has helped him understand its themes better.
In an interview, Cuzzillo notes that the game is both a "piss-take" and sincere at the same time. He feels that it's a microcosm of the whole experience, where players are forced to confront their own insecurities and limitations. As he finishes his first commercial game, Ape Out, Cuzzillo realizes that Baby Steps has helped him grow as a developer.
Baby Steps is a game that will likely polarize players, but its unique blend of humor, relatability, and poignant themes make it a must-play experience for fans of the genre. By creating a character like Nate, Foddy and Cuzzillo have crafted a game that's both laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving.
. The protagonist, Nate, is definitely an imperfect and relatable character - who hasn't felt like they're not quite measuring up? 
The way the game pokes fun at societal expectations of what it means to be a man is really well done, and I love how Nate's struggles with confidence and competence are portrayed in a both humorous and poignant way. 
However, some players might find his awkwardness and incompetence frustrating to watch at times 
. Overall, though, the game's use of satire and self-deprecation makes it a refreshing take on a often-misunderstood topic 
.
I think it's awesome how Bennett Foddy and Gabe Cuzzillo used their own social awkwardness to create a relatable protagonist in Baby Steps. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we're not perfect, and our games don't have to be either." The game's humor and honesty about masculinity are really refreshing, especially in the gaming world where it can get pretty serious sometimes.
the way they tackle masculinity is super relatable & honestly kinda funny! Nate's struggles with confidence are SO real, like who hasn't felt like they're just faking it? 
I feel like it's really brave to tackle topics like masculinity in a way that's not always straightforward. The main character Nate is just so... human, you know? 
The animations with Nate eating fruit are literally the best thing ever! 
It's like, we're all struggling with something, whether it's confidence or feeling like we fit in. And the ending, oh man... it's just so satisfying. 
it was super relatable! I mean, who hasn't felt like they're living in their parents' basement at some point? The main character Nate is just so... human 
.
. It sounds like it's about some guy who lives in his parents' basement and struggles with being a man 
. And why do they keep showing this guy eating fruit like he's happy or something? 
It just feels like a bunch of awkward moments strung together.
. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not convinced this game is worth playing 
. But at the same time, Nate's character can be kinda frustrating to play as - I mean, who wants to feel like they're constantly failing at stuff? 
. but at the same time, he's trying to become a man and overcome these masculinity issues... I'm not sure if I agree with how they handled it though. 
.
. I liked the part with Nate eating fruit in the cutscenes... that was so cute! 
i get what they're tryna do tho - explore masculinity and stuff, but nate feels like such a caricature 
anyway, the devs did a great job w/ the cutscenes tho 
those fruit animations are lit 
overall its def worth checkin out if ur into that sorta thing 