Baldi Basics

1.1. The Talented Creator: Micah McGonigal

Baldi's Basics was developed by Micah McGonigal (also known by the pseudonym Mystman12), a talented and passionate programmer. Notably, he was the sole developer of the original game. Initially released on March 31, 2018, as a submission for the "Meta Game Jam" competition, the game quickly became a global viral phenomenon due to its surreal gameplay, distinctive retro graphics, and ominous atmosphere.

1.2. Genre and Setting

• Genre: Survival horror, puzzle, educational, parody.

• Setting: The player is trapped in a bizarre school and the objective is to collect enough notebooks to escape the control of the terrifying teacher: Baldi.

• Educational Value: Contrary to its appearance, the game has no real educational value, but serves mainly as an unsettling and addictive joke.

2. Challenging and Tense Gameplay

The core gameplay of Baldi's Basics is described as being similar to the popular survival horror game Slender: The Eight Pages.

2.1. The Main Goal

The player's core mission is to:

• Collect 7 notebooks scattered throughout the classrooms.

• Solve the math problems in each notebook.

• Escape the school before being caught by Baldi.

2.2. The Danger Named Baldi

Baldi is the menacing math teacher. When solving problems in the notebooks, you will face a critical challenge:

• Correct Answers: Help you get closer to victory.

• Incorrect Answers: Every wrong answer makes Baldi angrier and more determined to catch you. Baldi's movement speed significantly increases after each mistake. You will hear the sound of Baldi's ruler slapping his hand, signaling that he is getting closer.

2.3. Diverse Game Modes

Baldi's Basics offers two main game modes:

1. Story Mode:

   • Objective: Collect all 7 notebooks, and then find the exit to escape the school and win.

2. Endless Mode:

   • Objective: Collect as many notebooks as you can before Baldi catches you. Baldi will speed up over time, but successfully solving the problems in a notebook will slow him down slightly.

2.4. The Eccentric "Support" Cast

It's not just Baldi; you also have to avoid and deal with other quirky characters in the school. These individuals often try to obstruct the player, slowing down progress or putting you in dangerous situations, especially when Baldi is in hot pursuit. Understanding how each character operates is key to survival.

2.5. Items and Strategy

Players can collect various items around the school to aid them, such as:

• Candy Bar: Temporarily prevents your character's stamina from decreasing (allowing you to run longer).

• BSoda: Can be used to push other characters away.

• Scissors/Keys: Used to temporarily disable certain obstacles or unlock doors.

Using items strategically is a decisive factor in escaping dangerous situations.

3. Game Controls (WASD and Mouse)

To survive this school, you need to master the basic controls:

• Movement: Press WASD to move.

• Look Around: Use the mouse to look around.

• Interaction: Left click to collect items and interact with the environment (open doors, pick up notebooks).

• Running: Hold the Shift or Ca key to run for a short duration (Remember to watch your stamina bar).

• Quick Look: Press the Space bar to quickly glance behind you.

4. Conclusion

Baldi's Basics is a testament to the fact that a simple yet unique idea, combined with the talent of a single developer like Micah McGonigal, can create a global phenomenon. With its retro graphics, eerie atmosphere, and addictive mix of puzzle-solving and horror, Baldi's Basics offers a thrilling experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Grab your notebooks, prepare your mind for math problems, and brace yourself for the ultimate scare—are you ready to challenge your wits and courage?