Balatro Dev Localthunk Resolves AI Art Reddit Controversy

Localthunk, the creative mind behind the acclaimed roguelike poker game Balatro, recently stepped into a heated discussion on the Balatro subreddit sparked by a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. This incident, highlighted by Garbage Day and Rock Paper Shotgun, unfolded around DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of an NSFW Balatro subreddit.

The controversy began when DrTankHead stated that AI-generated art would not be banned on either subreddit, provided it was appropriately tagged and claimed. This decision, DrTankHead claimed, was made following discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

In response, Localthunk took to Bluesky to clarify their position, asserting that neither they nor Playstack supported AI-generated imagery. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, denouncing AI "art" and emphasizing its detrimental impact on artists. Localthunk confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a new policy banning 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 misinterpreted and promised clearer guidelines moving forward. Meanwhile, DrTankHead, now removed from the r/Balatro mod team, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that they did not intend to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric but were considering a designated day for posting AI-generated, non-NSFW art.

The debate over AI in gaming and entertainment continues to intensify, especially amidst widespread industry layoffs. Ethical and rights concerns, coupled with AI's difficulty in creating engaging content, have fueled criticism from both players and creators. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game using solely AI failed, with the company admitting to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite such setbacks, major tech companies remain committed to AI. EA has described AI as central to its business, while Capcom explores generative AI for generating vast numbers of ideas for game environments. Most recently, Activision faced backlash for using generative AI in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly for an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen, which was criticized as "AI slop."