Indie Hit 'Balatro' Wins Big at Golden Joystick Awards and Earns Game of the Year Nomination

The roguelike poker-inspired game, developed by a solo creator, secures two major awards and multiple nominations at The Game Awards 2024.

Balatro, a roguelike deckbuilding game with poker mechanics, won Best Indie Game and the Critics' Breakthrough Award at the Golden Joystick Awards.
The game combines traditional poker hand-building with innovative mechanics, including special Joker, Tarot, and planet cards that enhance gameplay.
Balatro was created by a single developer, known as LocalThunk, who started it as a personal project during a vacation three years ago.
Since its February release on PC and consoles, and a mobile launch in September, Balatro has gained widespread popularity for its addictive gameplay.
The game is nominated for five categories at The Game Awards 2024, including Game of the Year, Best Game Direction, and Best Mobile Game.