LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the critically acclaimed indie hit Balatro, has declared Animal Well his Game of the Year for 2024. This accolade, humorously dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights the "engrossing experience, style, and secrets" of Animal Well, praising its creator, Billy Basso, and calling the game a "true masterpiece." Balatro, a deck-building game that sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024, shares the spotlight with Animal Well, which achieved comparable critical success. Basso responded to the recognition, complimenting LocalThunk's humility. The exchange exemplifies the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk's "runners-up" for his favorite games of 2024 include Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing. He highlighted specific aspects he appreciated in each title. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art deck-building game developed by a single person.
Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. He has also hinted at a potential collaboration with another prominent 2024 game for a future crossover.
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