Indie Hit Balatro Gains Momentum with Game Awards Nominations and Surging Sales

The poker-themed roguelike has earned five Game Awards nominations and generated over $4.4 million on mobile since its release.

Balatro, developed by solo creator LocalThunk, received five nominations at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year and Best Independent Game.
The game's mobile version, launched in September, has generated $4.4 million in revenue, with a notable sales spike following the award nominations announcement on November 18.
Balatro has become one of the most-played games on Steam Deck in 2024, ranking fourth behind Elden Ring, Baldur's Gate 3, and Stardew Valley.
The roguelike combines poker mechanics with deckbuilding and has been praised for its addictive gameplay and frequent updates, including crossovers with popular franchises like The Witcher 3 and Vampire Survivors.
Since its February release, Balatro has sold over two million copies across platforms and continues to see rising player engagement and critical acclaim.