Upcoming walking simulator Baby Steps tasks players with crossing a rugged, mountainous landscape using physics-based mechanics that make putting one foot in front of the other far more challenging than players are likely accustomed to. It's a refreshing concept, and one that its developers quickly realized would be challenging but rewarding to bring to life with Baby Steps.
The Best War Games recently spoke with developers Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy about how much Baby Steps changed during development. It turns out that the initial idea immediately stood out as one they should follow through on. They explained that, as with any other game, the final product has changed, but perhaps not the wide-scale ones that some would expect.
Baby Steps' Concept Immediately Stood Out to Its Developers
When developers brainstorm their next project, many ideas are usually offered up for consideration before one is finally settled on. It can take dozens of concepts before something sticks. With Baby Steps, however, Cuzzillo and the team knew they were onto something special shortly after prototyping the concept. He explained,
"We eventually decided that this prototype was the one that was going to be the next real project. I remember Bennett saying, 'I think this might be the one,' like two months into prototyping it. It was already becoming really fun, we were really enjoying just walking up the little test slope we'd built. I don’t think the vision of the game has changed drastically since those initial prototypes, it feels more like it’s been added to. A lot has been built up around it."
Baby Steps Became More Streamlined Further Into Its Development
A game's development journey can sometimes result in the final product looking quite different from how it was originally conceived. Foddy explained that, with Baby Steps, it was more about ensuring the final version of the game wasn't overloaded with ideas, mechanics, characters, or story elements. He continued,
"The first year was mostly ‘adding,’ the last year was mostly ‘subtracting,’ at least for my part in it. At some point, our story had about 45 characters in it!"
When Baby Steps' unique concept was revealed, it quickly struck a chord with those gamers who crave something a little bit different from the usual offerings. Clearly, the developers have tried to keep the experience as clutter-free as possible, choosing instead to focus on the game's core movement mechanics. This decision should help to ensure that gamers will get the best possible version of Baby Steps when it is released later in September, with the title taking a 'less is more' approach that has worked quite well for many other small-scale projects.
- Released
- September 23, 2025
- Developer(s)
- Gabe Cuzzillo, Maxi Boch, Bennett Foddy
- Publisher(s)
- Devolver Digital
- Number of Players
- Single-player
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Nate, an unemployed failson with nothing going for him, until one day he discovers a power he never knew he had… putting one foot in front of the other.
Explore a world shrouded in mist, one step at a time. Hike the serene mountains by placing each footstep yourself, in original physics-based gameplay from the minds behind Ape Out and Getting Over It. Take in the sights, fall in love with the local fauna, and try to find meaning in a wasted life.
Get ready to fall for Nate, in Baby Steps, a literal walking simulator.
KEY FEATURES
• Fully-simulated physics based walking.
• A world that seems to come alive with a dynamic soundtrack built up out of 420 beats and vibes.
• A lengthy trek up a mountain-sized mountain that you can explore at your own pace, or slower.
• Fully dynamic onesie soilage system.
• Non-collectible hats.
