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Balatro Creator Reflects on Game's Success and Personal Struggles During Development

The anonymous developer behind the hit poker roguelike shares insights into the game's creation, its overwhelming reception, and the toll it took on his mental and physical health.

the balatro timeline
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Overview

  • Balatro's developer, known as LocalThunk, shared a detailed blog post reflecting on the game's development and release, revealing the intense pressure he faced as a solo creator.
  • The game, launched in February 2024, quickly became a critical and commercial success, garnering a 90 Metacritic score and generating over $600,000 in revenue within hours of release.
  • LocalThunk described severe stress and health issues during the final months of development, including anxiety attacks and sleep disruptions, which led to a doctor's visit in January 2024.
  • Despite anticipating post-launch issues, Balatro's release went smoothly, with minimal bugs and overwhelmingly positive feedback from players and media outlets alike.
  • Since its launch, Balatro has sold over five million copies, been nominated for Game of the Year, and inspired collaborations with major franchises like Fallout and Assassin's Creed.