Bennett Foddy, the designer behind QWOP and Baby Steps, remains glued to Baldur's Gate 3 despite knowing he'll never finish it. In a recent feature, the developer walked through his current PC library, revealing that Larian's sprawling RPG has become his go-to "friendslop" game. He admits the sheer scope overwhelmed him. "It was too big and so I stopped," Foddy explained.
Friendslop describes games designed for casual social play rather than completion. These titles prioritize accessibility and low-pressure engagement over traditional progression. Foddy embraces this philosophy for relaxation, contrasting sharply with his own design philosophy that prioritizes mechanical difficulty and unconventional control schemes.
The designer's fascination with Baldur's Gate 3 highlights the game's cultural penetration beyond traditional completionists. Larian's RPG became a phenomenon, selling over 20 million copies since its August 2023 launch. Its modular structure lets players drop in and out without guilt. That flexibility appeals to veterans like Foddy who value experimentation over campaign completion.
Foddy's career has centered on games that frustrate and challenge. QWOP demands mastering individual muscle groups through a four-key system. Baby Steps applies similar philosophy to platforming. His work proves designers respect struggle and specific mechanical depth. Yet even Foddy craves the opposite sometimes. Baldur's Gate 3's systems reward tinkering and roleplay without demanding perfection.
The broader trend shows how open-world RPGs and live service games reshaped player expectations. Games no longer demand finish lines. Baldur's Gate 3 proves players will invest hundreds of hours in a single title simply by removing completion pressure. Foddy's admission reflects a shift in how seasoned designers approach gaming itself.