'It Does Real Harm to Artists of All Kinds' — Balatro Dev Localthunk Steps In to Resolve AI Art Reddit Fiasco

Localthunk, the creative mind behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently addressed a controversy sparked within the game's subreddit community over the use of AI-generated art. The issue came to light following statements made by a former moderator, DrTankHead, who also moderates a NSFW version of the Balatro subreddit. DrTankHead had indicated that AI art would be allowed on both subreddits if properly tagged and credited, a stance purportedly supported by discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly clarified their position on Bluesky, emphasizing that neither they nor Playstack endorse AI-generated art. They expressed a strong belief that such technology harms genuine artists and confirmed that DrTankHead had been removed from the moderation team of the main Balatro subreddit. Localthunk also announced a ban on AI-generated images on the subreddit and promised forthcoming updates to the rules and FAQ to reflect this policy.

In a follow-up, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules might have been ambiguous, allowing for misinterpretations about AI content. They committed to clarifying these rules to ensure no confusion in the future.

DrTankHead, now removed from the main subreddit's moderation, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that their goal was not to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric but mentioned considering a specific day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art.

This incident highlights the broader debate surrounding generative AI within the gaming and entertainment industries. Amid significant layoffs and ethical concerns, AI's role in content creation remains contentious. High-profile examples include Keywords Studios' failed attempt at creating an entirely AI-generated game and various tech companies, including EA, Capcom, and Activision, embracing AI for different aspects of game development, despite criticism and challenges in producing content that resonates with audiences.

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