Indie Hit Balatro Crosses Insane Milestone

Indie Hit Balatro Crosses Insane Milestone

Key Takeaways

  • Balatro has been cumulatively played for over 11,000 years across all platforms, according to the game’s developer.
  • The poker-inspired roguelike deck-building game has been one of the most popular titles of 2024.
  • A free major update is coming in 2025, with the game’s creator promising new strategies and ideas.

As a lifelong gamer with countless hours spent navigating virtual worlds and mastering complex strategies, I must confess that Balatro has quickly become one of my all-time favorites. With its roots firmly planted in the classic game of poker and the innovative twist of roguelike deck-building, it’s no wonder this game has captivated players for over 11,000 years!


The poker-inspired roguelike deck-building game Balatro has reportedly been played for over 11,000 years across all platforms. Released in February 2024 to instant acclaim, Balatro quickly became popular among the masses for its satisfying gameplay loop and peaceful synth-heavy soundtrack, with many players calling the title one of the most addictive games to appear in recent memory.

Originally created by independent developer LocalThunk, this game garnered an overwhelming number of favorable reviews upon its release on both PC and console earlier in 2024, placing it among the highest-rated games of the year. The game, titled Balatro, features a quick-tempo gameplay style where players aim to form Poker hands to hit a specific target score. To maintain player engagement, more than 150 distinct Jokers can be found, each with special abilities that add an extra layer of excitement. For instance, certain Jokers boost a player’s final round score, while others provide monetary rewards that can be used to acquire stronger cards.

In a new Twitter post, the game’s developer announced that Balatro has been played cumulatively for over 11,000 years across all platforms. Fans were quick to post congratulatory messages, though the news came as little shock to most, with leagues of players noting that the title has likely boosted a lack of productivity around the world due to Balatro‘s endless replayability. The game’s ease of entry has likely been a major factor in its continued success, along with its availability on all major platforms and low cost.

Fans Have Spent Over 11,000 Years Playing Balatro

After the game’s debut, multiple updates have been rolled out in the ensuing months, one of which was the May “Balatro” update that incorporated the Perishable and Rental Joker features. The Perishable mechanic encouraged players to rethink their usual tactics since it mandated Jokers be discarded following a total of five rounds. On the other hand, the Rental Joker feature altered the game economy by setting the initial Joker price at $1 and increasing it by $3 with each new round played. LocalThunk has also been diligent in fixing bugs and improving performance, while also striving to make the game more user-friendly overall.

At the Nintendo Indie World Showcase in August 2024, the game Balatro unveiled a collaboration with The Witcher 3. The ongoing “Friends of Jimbo” update is offering players an exciting new feature: they can modify their deck’s face cards to showcase beloved characters from Witcher, such as Dandelion, Yennefer of Vengerberg, and Geralt of Rivia. Other games joining this cosmetic crossover event include Among Us, Vampire Survivors, and Dave the Diver. According to LocalThunk, further crossovers might be introduced in future updates of the game.

In the previous month, a significant free upgrade for the game “Balatro” was unveiled, teasing fresh strategies and concepts set to roll out in 2025. It’s anticipated that this update will significantly reshape how “Balatro” is played, although no specific details have been disclosed yet. Enthusiasts are on the edge of their seats, eagerly waiting for more information before the new year begins. With its regular updates and devoted fanbase, it’s clear that the next achievement for “Balato” will be another exciting one.

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2024-10-09 17:43