The developer of Balatro has explained that the reason his viral poker sensation features no microtransactions or ads is because encountering such elements in games "makes me want to put my computer in the dishwasher and set it to pots and pans."
"The real reason Balatro doesn't include microtransactions, season passes, ads, or tons of DLC isn't purely about ethical concerns—it's because when I play other games filled with that stuff, it makes me want to shove my computer in the dishwasher on the pots and pans cycle," Localthunk shared on Bluesky.
"I understand why developers implement those features, but you're sabotaging the user experience when players form their first impression while being flooded with distractions that aren't part of the actual gameplay."
When questioned if he was specifically referring to the free-to-play digital card game Marvel Snap, Localthunk responded: "This isn't targeted at them specifically, but I'm not giving them a free pass either lol. There's about a 95% chance that if a game is free-to-play, its main menu interface ends up more convoluted than the actual game interface."
Microtransactions remain a consistently heated debate within gaming circles, with some developers and publishers facing accusations of exploiting players through predatory in-game stores. Government bodies like Norway's consumer council have labeled loot boxes as exploitative and predatory, leading to their prohibition in regions including Belgium and the Netherlands. Even U.S. senators have advocated for banning "greedy" in-app purchases following FTC investigations.
Just last week, Activision faced significant backlash after discreetly introducing advertisements into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone's loadout menus. The company later pulled the ads, stating they were an accidental "feature test" released "in error."
Localthunk recently found himself needing to publicly condemn AI art after a subreddit moderator incorrectly stated that neither the developer nor publisher Playstack had any "problem" with AI-generated artwork. Localthunk went on record to clarify: "Neither Playstack nor I support AI 'art'. I don't incorporate it in my game, and I believe it genuinely harms artists across all disciplines. That moderator's actions don't reflect Playstack's or my own views on the subject. We've since removed this individual from our moderation team."
Balatro is the breakout deck-building phenomenon where you play forbidden poker hands, uncover game-altering jokers, and execute electrifying, over-the-top combos. IGN's Balatro review scored it 9/10, praising: "This deck-building poker roguelike offers endlessly satisfying gameplay—the kind of fun that can completely derail your weekend plans."
