Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit

In a recent development within the gaming community, Localthunk, the creator of the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, has taken decisive action to address a controversy over AI-generated art on the game's subreddit. The situation unfolded after DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would not be banned from the subreddit if properly tagged and claimed. This stance was presented as being in line with discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly refuted these claims on Bluesky, clarifying that neither they nor Playstack condone the use of AI art. In a detailed statement on the Balatro subreddit, Localthunk emphasized their opposition to AI-generated imagery, 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." As a result, DrTankHead was removed from the moderation team, and a new policy was announced prohibiting AI-generated images on the subreddit, with plans to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.

Playstack's communications director later acknowledged that the existing rules could have been clearer, particularly a clause about "no unlabeled AI content," which may have led to misunderstandings. The remaining moderation team is set to revise the language to prevent future confusion.

In a separate post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, DrTankHead confirmed their removal and mentioned considering a dedicated day for posting AI-generated non-NSFW art, clarifying that it was not their intention to make the subreddit AI-centric. This proposal received mixed reactions from the community.

The use of generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries remains a contentious issue, especially amid widespread layoffs. Critics argue that AI poses ethical and rights-related challenges and often fails to produce content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create an entirely AI-generated game was unsuccessful, as the company reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite these challenges, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has described AI as central to its business model, while Capcom is exploring generative AI to generate numerous ideas for in-game environments. Recently, Activision 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.