While most game studios strive for intuitive and user-friendly design, the creators of Baby Steps – Gabe Cuzzillo, Bennett Foddy, and Maxi Boch – have deliberately taken a different path. At a recent GDC event, Cuzzillo revealed that their project directly contradicts the design philosophy of Valve’s Half-Life series, where elements that could confuse players for more than a few minutes were actively removed. In stark contrast, Baby Steps intentionally immerses players in a bewildering labyrinth, where it’s easy to get lost and find oneself back at the starting point after extensive wandering.
The developers explain that this “trolling” design isn’t born of malice but is a strategic choice. This deliberate disorientation encourages players to explore the world’s boundaries, experiment with its physics, and forge their own unique paths. The primary goal is to provoke the question “What else can I do?” rather than offering predetermined solutions.
A compelling example of this approach emerged during a challenge involving knocking over a stack of cans. The developers intentionally left a section untried by themselves, anticipating players would find their own innovative methods. Indeed, players demonstrated remarkable creativity, utilizing the game’s walking mechanics to deliver a precise stone hit and successfully complete the task.
The creators emphasize that in Baby Steps, players learn not from developer guidance, but from their own mistakes, falls, iterative attempts, and the unexpected situations that arise during their exploration.