A Game of the Year contender and super successful, Balatro came out of nowhere this year from an anonymous developer called LocalThunk. It sounds like the perfect feel-good story, but the creator of the poker-inspired roguelike title has second guessed releasing it.
Speaking with GQ, LocalThunk reflected on what a whirlwind 2024 has been since launching Balatro and whether the card game’s supernova rise has led to any regrets. “Honestly, yeah,” the Balatro creator said. “Don’t get me wrong–this has changed my life in a lot of amazing ways. I’m so grateful. But I do miss that time before. It was just a hobby that recharged my batteries. Sometimes I think, ‘Maybe I would’ve been happier if I had never released this game to the public.'”
