152: Walking Over It with Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps)

152: Walking Over It with Gabe Cuzzillo and Bennett Foddy (Baby Steps)

Author: The Secret Lives of Games February 13, 2026 Duration: 2:59:14

Rob, Doug, Andy, and Sarah chat with Gabe Cuzzillo (Ape Out, Despelote) and Bennett Foddy (Getting Over It with Bennett Foddy, QWOP) about their (with Maxi Boch) latest game, the multi-IGF-nominated open-world hard-walking manchild simulator Baby Steps. We discuss the game's in-house approach to voice acting, balancing challenge with humor, creating (and hiding) a looping environment, telling an honest story about masculinity, including explicit content without getting banned from Steam, rock curation, secrets, and so much more!

Audio edited by Dylan Shumway

Discussed in this episode:

Baby Steps
https://www.babystepsgame.com/

Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111942/

My Summer Car
https://store.steampowered.com/app/516750/My_Summer_Car/

zk map (for stranger)
https://www.glorioustrainwrecks.com/node/11388 

La belle noiseuse (1991)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101428/

Kelly Reichardt
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0716980/

Perfect Days (2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27503384/

The Taste of Things (2023)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt19760052/

NYU Game Center Lecture Series Presents Jane Ng
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yWIoRuwpm0 

DESPELOTE: FIFTH TRAILER (now on nintendo switch)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MXKlgMZ3Jc

The Love That Remains (2025)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt33381401/

Solo (Australian ad) 1983
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCkz0JsaU8k

Solo Man ad, Australia 1986
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6T3RS78Tp58

Solo (Australian ad) 1984
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_1nZZrv8aU 

Frog Detective 3
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1171320/Frog_Detective_3_Corruption_at_Cowboy_County/ 


https://secretlives.games 

https://discord.gg/tslog

https://www.patreon.com/tslog


Ever wonder what really happens between the initial spark of an idea and the final product you play? The Secret Lives of Games pulls back the curtain, offering a rare, unvarnished look at the creative journey. Each episode is built around a candid conversation with a game creator, moving far beyond simple promotion to explore the messy, beautiful, and often surprising realities of their work. You’ll hear about the late-night breakthroughs, the frustrating dead ends, and the personal philosophies that shape the games we love. This podcast is less about reviews or news and more about understanding the human effort behind the pixels and code. It’s for anyone who’s curious about the art and craft of game development, whether you’re a seasoned player, an aspiring designer, or simply fascinated by creative processes. Listen in for genuine stories about problem-solving, narrative design, artistic choices, and the intricate process of building interactive worlds. These are the detailed, behind-the-scenes discussions that reveal how games truly come to life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Secret Lives of Games
Podcast Episodes
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Campanella 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:24:15
We're joined by Liz Ryerson (musician, writer, podcaster), Russ Frushtick (The Besties), and Xanagear (youtube.com/xanagear) to discuss Campanella 2, the 35th game in the UFO 50 collection. "Pilot's gone missing on a gia…
Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Episode 9 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:45
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 9 (reunion) and try to rank and contextualize the season. Join us on the Discord for tips on ho…
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Overbold [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:59
We're joined by Izzy Kestrel (Funomena, No Goblin) and John Axon (Capy Games) to discuss Overbold, the 34th game in the UFO 50 collection. "In the notorious Red Arena, the more risk you take, the more money you make!" Ne…
Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Episode 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 8 and share their Mole suspicions. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about…
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Fist Hell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:54
We're joined by Shawn Alexander Allen (Treachery in Beatdown City), Robert Ashley (A Life Well Wasted), Greg Ford (EGM), and Trent Kusters (League of Geeks) to discuss Fist Hell, the 33rd game in the UFO 50 collection. "…
Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Episode 7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:55
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 7 and share their Mole suspicions. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about…
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Mortol II [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:31
We're joined by Stephanie Boluk (UC Davis), Patrick LeMieux (UC Davis), and Aaron "ix" Kearsley (Speedrunner) to discuss Mortol II, the 32nd game in the UFO 50 collection. "How many will have to sacrifice their lives to…
Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Episode 6 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:49
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 6 and share their Mole suspicions. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about…
EP: A Year of UFO 50 - Pingolf [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:35
We're joined by Ben Wilson (Saltsea Chronicles), John Axon (Capybara Games), and Scott Anderson (Unity) to discuss Pingolf, the 31st game in the UFO 50 collection. "Each year the best golfers in the galaxy show up to com…
Eggplant TV Plays De Mol (2025 season) - Episode 5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:35
We're recapping the 2025 season of our favorite tv show, Flemish De Mol (Season 13). Laura, Jey, and Doug break down Episode 5 and share their Mole suspicions. Join us on the Discord for tips on how to watch, chat about…