Balatro Creator Has Some Harsh Words For AI

by

Summary

  • Localthunk disapproves of AI art in Balatro and clarifies that neither they nor Playstack support it.
  • Some publishers, like Activision, are using AI to save time and money, but not all AI is beneficial.
  • Steam requires disclosure of AI use in games, and Balatro adds new guest characters in the latest update.

Although certain game developers are adopting AI in their creations, not all share this enthusiasm. One of the critics voicing strong opposition to its use is the developer behind Balatro, Localthunk.

In response to discussions on the subreddit related to the game, Localhunk expressed thoughts about AI-generated artwork. The moderators had previously stated they would not prohibit such art within the community, which could be interpreted as an endorsement of AI art by both Localhunk and Playstack, their publisher.

Balatro Creator Localthunk Not A Fan Of AI Art

On Bluesky, Localthunk shared that he learned about AI-generated art earlier, and it’s not his personal viewpoint. He usually avoids commenting on the r/balatro community, but he feels this post doesn’t align with his beliefs, and he doubts it reflects Playstack’s stance on AI-created visuals either.

The individual concluded by stating, “I do not support AI-made ‘creations,’ ” using quotation marks around “creations” to imply that what AI produces is not truly considered art.

Furthermore, a message (originally posted by Eurogamer) that has since been removed, indicates that a moderator in this subreddit altered the flair for AI-generated art, giving the impression that Playstation endorses such art. It’s important to clarify that this change was not as a result of instructions from Playstation but rather an interpretation of a rule enforcement message within the subreddit.

In simple terms, the person who oversees discussions on Balatro subreddit is no longer part of the moderation team, and posting AI-created pictures is now prohibited in that community.

As a gamer, I’m worried that the advancements in AI art could bring more harm than benefits, as it seems to be a recurring theme with new technology. Companies like Activision are eager to use AI to cut costs on assets, but not all AI applications are beneficial for gamers and developers. A recent example is the French voice cast of Apex Legends quitting en masse because Electronic Arts forced them to sign contracts requiring them to train AI using their voices. This issue highlights the potential downsides that AI may bring along with its conveniences.

On certain platforms such as Steam, developers are being required to reveal whether they incorporate AI in their games, and I hope this practice becomes commonplace among others too.

Regarding the latest developments in Balatro, the game has just received its fourth Friends of Jimbo update, introducing fresh guest characters into the card game. In total, these guest characters serve as facecards and can be enjoyed for free within Balatro, making a grand total of 72 available options now.

Is there a chance we’ll see additional card characters with a human face? I wouldn’t rule it out. However, rest assured that whatever new characters we introduce won’t be artificially intelligent in any way. For those of you considering starting Balatro, our beginner’s guide offers valuable tips and tricks to help you get off on the right foot.

Read More

2025-03-13 19:09