Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit

Localthunk, the developer behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently addressed a controversy on the game's subreddit involving AI-generated art. The issue arose when DrTankHead, a now-former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, stated that AI art would not be banned as long as it was properly tagged and claimed. DrTankHead claimed this decision was made after discussions with the staff at Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

In response, Localthunk took to Bluesky to clarify that neither they nor Playstack condone AI-generated imagery. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, stating, "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 also announced a new policy for the subreddit: "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."

Following this, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules could have been clearer, as a previous rule against "unlabeled AI content" might have been misinterpreted. The remaining mod team plans to update the language to prevent future confusion.

DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator of r/Balatro, posted in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, stating that they do not intend to make it AI-centric but are considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a week or two.

The use of generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries remains a contentious issue, especially amidst widespread layoffs. Critics argue that AI raises ethical and rights concerns and often fails to produce content that audiences enjoy. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game entirely with AI failed, as the company reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite these challenges, tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has described AI as "the very core" of its business, while Capcom is experimenting with generative AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Activision recently faced backlash for using generative AI in some assets for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly over an "AI slop" zombie Santa loading screen.