Baby Steps is an independent game by Devolver Digital and was first announced earlier this year in June to have a launch date set for Summer 2024 on PC and PlayStation 5 platforms. It is a narrative-driven game that sees a three-dimensional version of Foddy's original walking simulator.
Players are able to control each one of the main character's steps independently. The new game follows the same route and is just as comical as the previous work by the developer. The trailer sees dynamic moans, mumbles, curse words, and groans from the character as he is learning how to walk. These sounds notable came from the developers themselves as they took on the role of voice acting to capture the audio.
Boch explains, "The developers themselves are handling voiceover duties, recording and experimenting until they discover the humor of each scene. This seat-of-our-pants approach comes through thanks to the unconventional editing, which leaves in giggles and breaks, as well as the playful rapport between Cuzziilo and Foddy, together lending Baby Steps a slacker-comedy feel."
Digital Comical Independent Games
The Baby Steps Game is Looking at a Summer 2024 Launch
Trend Themes
1. Narrative-driven Games - The success of Baby Steps highlights the growing popularity of narrative-driven games, offering opportunities for developers to create immersive storytelling experiences.
2. Independent Game Development - Baby Steps, developed by an independent game studio, showcases the potential for small teams to create innovative and unique gaming experiences.
3. User-controlled Gameplay - The ability for players to independently control each step of the main character in Baby Steps pioneers a new level of player agency and interactivity in games.
Industry Implications
1. Video Game Development - The release of Baby Steps demonstrates opportunities for video game development companies to explore narrative-driven, independent game projects with unique gameplay mechanics.
2. Entertainment - The success of Baby Steps points to a demand for comical and narrative-driven gaming experiences, presenting a disruptive innovation opportunity for entertainment companies to invest in this emerging market.
3. Voice Acting - The developers' involvement in voice acting for Baby Steps emphasizes the potential for voice actors and studios to collaborate directly with game developers, opening up new avenues for voice acting opportunities in the gaming industry.