Balatro dev says they’re expanding the hit game, not changing it

As a dedicated follower and ardent fan of Balatro, I must say that LocalThunk has truly captured the essence of what it means to be a game developer – passion, perseverance, and a deep-rooted commitment to their craft. His journey from a hobbyist to a professional game designer is nothing short of inspiring.

As a gaming enthusiast immersed in the world of Balatro, the sensationally popular poker-inspired roguelike, I can confidently say that things have been remarkably smooth sailing. The community’s engagement remains strong, with players consistently drawing cards, purchasing jokers, and setting record-breaking high scores. However, just because Balatro is currently thriving doesn’t mean its creator, LocalThunk, is taking it easy. He’s diligently working behind the scenes to ensure that this gaming success story continues unfolding seamlessly.

On Wednesday, I learned from LocalThunk that Balatro’s “first significant gameplay update” is planned for release sometime in 2025. The very next day, I managed to secure a video call with the developer, and although they haven’t revealed what this update will entail (believe me, I asked!), I did get a glimpse into their development process. Here’s what we know: it won’t feel like a sequel. Instead of a big button on the main menu with options for “New Balatro” and “Old Balatro”, you can expect the same game with the same user interface. However, LocalThunk assured us that this update will make the game feel much more expansive than the one launched in February 2024.

In 2025, a significant gameplay overhaul is scheduled for Balatro, introducing fresh concepts and tactics! As a gesture of immense gratitude towards our dedicated and enthusiastic player base, this update will be offered complimentary to all players.

— Balatro (@BalatroGame) August 7, 2024

LocalThunk explained to TopMob, “It’s not going to be a completely new experience, you know. You’ll still be enjoying the game Balatro. I prefer to keep things consistent, rather than having it suddenly transform into something else one day.”

“He went on to say that he’s not planning on changing his original vision, but rather expanding it to its natural limits instead of moving into a different genre of game that he enjoys. Instead, his focus is on fully realizing the design potential within the current scope and then pushing those boundaries in exciting ways that fans will appreciate.”

Is it likely that we’ll see additional jokers in the Balatro game soon, as hinted by the game’s official account? It seems so, yes. These new features might even arrive before the end of this year. Moreover, you should know that all these updates and modifications for Balatro will be free, absolutely free.

Why? Well, for one it’s just good marketing.

LocalThunk mentioned, “Folks will pick it up again soon, attracting new players. This could potentially boost its sales even further. Time will tell, but what matters most to me is the initial aspect, which aligns with the game’s overall philosophy. I firmly oppose microtransactions or any similar features in this game. I appreciate that it comes with a single cost, offering the entire designed experience for that price.”

Enthusiasts seem equally enamored with this aspect, earning an estimated $20 million. Regarding Balatro’s future, LocalThunk expresses eagerness to develop the game for a prolonged period. However, deriving pleasure from this work will be crucial in maintaining his commitment to the project.

“For the past ten years, I’ve been creating games, usually in my spare time during college or after work – it was just a pastime for me. But eventually, one unexpected day, game development became my full-time job with no boundaries. Consequently, I found myself working 12 to 14 hours daily, every day, which took a toll on my health. It was clear that this wasn’t a sustainable lifestyle.”

After getting very close to exhaustion, but not quite crossing that boundary, LocalThunk gained a fresh viewpoint on things.

“If I lose my interest in this project, I won’t continue with it,” said LocalThunk. “It makes sense for a creator not to force themselves to work on something they dislike, as it wouldn’t yield quality results.”

Speaking of Balatro, the mobile version is currently being developed. According to LocalThunk, we should keep an eye out for updates through the game’s main channel on X. If you’d like to share your thoughts directly, feel free to join the discussion on the official Discord.

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2024-08-09 18:49