Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit

Localthunk, the creative force behind the roguelike poker sensation Balatro, recently took decisive action to address a controversy stirred up on the game's subreddit concerning AI-generated art. The drama unfolded after DrTankHead, a now-former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and also a moderator of a related NSFW subreddit, announced that AI art would not be banned as long as it was properly tagged and attributed. This statement was purportedly made after discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

However, Localthunk swiftly contradicted this claim on Bluesky, asserting that neither they nor Playstack supported AI-generated art. The developer then made a clear statement on the subreddit, emphasizing their stance against AI art. "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 declared. They also announced that AI-generated images would no longer be permitted on the subreddit, and the rules and FAQ would soon reflect this policy.

In a follow-up, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rule against "unlabeled AI content" may have been misinterpreted, and the remaining moderators planned to clarify the policy.

DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator from r/Balatro, confirmed the change on the NSFW Balatro subreddit and mentioned considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. This suggestion received pushback from some users, with one urging DrTankHead to take a break from Reddit.

The debate around AI-generated content is a significant issue within the video game and broader entertainment industries, which have faced substantial layoffs recently. AI's use in these fields has been met with criticism due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the challenge of producing content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create an entirely AI-generated game failed, with the company admitting to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite such setbacks, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has proclaimed AI as central to its business model, while Capcom is exploring generative AI to generate ideas for game environments. Activision also admitted to using AI for certain assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, amidst criticism over an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.