Overview

• Balatro, developed by LocalThunk, won Best Debut Indie Game at the 2025 BAFTA Game Awards, marking a significant achievement for indie games.
• Actor Ben Starr, dressed in clown attire, accepted the award on behalf of LocalThunk, delivering a humorous and unconventional speech.
• Starr’s remarks critiqued the commercialization of art in gaming, calling out traditional publishers like Playstack as ‘freeloaders.’
• The speech emphasized the importance of supporting indie games, urging the audience to recognize titles like ANIMAL WELL as vital to the industry.
• Fans and industry figures praised Starr’s performance, which blended satire, humor, and a call to action for greater respect for independent creators.