Balatro Creator Rejects Microtransactions Over Frustration

The creator of Balatro revealed why his wildly popular poker game avoids microtransactions and ads, joking that seeing such features in other games "makes me want to toss my computer into the dishwasher on pots-and-pans mode."

"The real reason Balatro has no microtransactions, season passes, ads, or endless DLCs isn't just ethical—it's because games crammed with those elements make me rage-quit reality," developer Localthunk stated on Bluesky. "I understand why they exist, but flooding players with monetization junk before they even experience the actual game is UX suicide."

When questioned if his comments targeted free-to-play card game Marvel Snap, Localthunk clarified: "Not singling them out, but let's be real—95% of F2P games have main menus more convoluted than the gameplay itself."

The gaming industry continues debating microtransactions, with critics accusing developers of predatory monetization. Norway's consumer council classified loot boxes as exploitative, leading to bans in Belgium and the Netherlands. U.S. senators have even demanded restrictions on aggressive in-app purchases following FTC investigations.

Recently, Activision faced player fury after covertly inserting ads into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone's loadout screens, later removing them while calling the move an "accidental feature test."

Localthunk also made headlines rejecting AI art after a subreddit mod falsely claimed neither he nor publisher Playstack opposed AI-generated content. The developer stated: "Playstack and I unequivocally reject AI 'art.' It harms real artists, and we've removed this misrepresentative moderator."

Balatro—a breakout hit blending poker with rogue-like deckbuilding—lets players assemble forbidden hands, unlock transformative jokers, and unleash wild combos. IGN's 9/10 review praised it as "the kind of brilliant, addictive experience that kidnaps your weekend."