Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit

Localthunk, the creative mind behind the acclaimed roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a heated discussion within the game's subreddit. The controversy arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, regarding the acceptance of AI-generated art.

The situation unfolded when DrTankHead announced that AI art would be allowed in the subreddit, provided it was properly tagged and claimed. This stance was purportedly made after consultations with Playstack, Balatro's publisher. However, Localthunk quickly clarified on Bluesky that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI art. Localthunk then took to the subreddit to issue a definitive statement.

"Neither Playstack nor I condone AI 'art'. I don't use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on the topic. We have removed this moderator from the moderation team," Localthunk stated firmly. They also announced a new policy: "We will not be allowing AI generated images on this subreddit from now on. We will make sure our rules and FAQ reflect this soon."

In response, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the rules could have been clearer, particularly a previous rule against "unlabeled AI content," which might have been misinterpreted. The mod team plans to revise the language to prevent future confusion.

DrTankHead, after being removed from their moderator role at r/Balatro, posted in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, clarifying that they did not intend to make the subreddit AI-centric. However, they suggested considering a specific day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user retorted, urging DrTankHead to take a break from Reddit.

This incident highlights the broader debate over generative AI within the gaming and entertainment industries. Despite significant layoffs, tech companies continue to explore AI's potential. For example, Keywords Studios attempted to develop a game entirely with AI but reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent. Meanwhile, major players like EA and Capcom are integrating AI into their core business strategies, with EA declaring AI as central to its operations and Capcom experimenting with AI for generating in-game environments. Even Activision has admitted to using AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, amidst criticism over an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.