Balatro is the best game of 2024 – its anonymous creator may never release another

I listened to you on a podcast where you talked about not playing a lot of games. Is that true?

I do play games, but I don’t play them as much as I think other people do. I like designing games, making my own mistakes, and exploring a designed space. They’re two hobbies that look like they’re really close to each other but are actually really far ap... See more

Available on Apple Arcade, PC, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch, it was made by one anonymous Canadian developer who goes by the pseudonym LocalThunk. His game’s success is only continuing – in November it was nominated for Game of the Year at The Game Awards.

On the surface, the game doesn’t look like much at all: it’s poker, just poker, with pixelated graphics and an odd, almost hallucinogenic vibe. But then you play a few rounds and the game layers in multipliers, augments and new rules. It cascades into the best dopamine rush of the year – one that, even if you aren’t into card games, feels like sigh... See more

Balatro made some $700,000 during nomination week from sales on iOS and Android alone, and more than $4m in total since its mobile release in September.

Is there any part of you that regrets Balatro’s success?

Honestly, yeah. Don’t get me wrong – this has changed my life in a lot of amazing ways. I’m so grateful. But I do miss that time before. It was just a hobby that recharged my batteries. Sometimes I think, ‘Maybe I would’ve been happier if I had never released this game to the public.’