Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Reddit Controversy

Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy brewing on the game's subreddit. The issue arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a related NSFW subreddit, who had expressed openness to AI-generated art on both platforms.

DrTankHead had stated, "We will not be banning AI art here, if it is properly claimed and tagged as such," claiming this decision was made after discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher. However, Localthunk quickly clarified their stance on Bluesky, emphasizing that neither they nor Playstack supported AI-generated imagery.

In a detailed statement on the subreddit, Localthunk firmly denounced AI "art," 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. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on the topic. We have removed this moderator from the moderation team." They further announced a ban on AI-generated images on the subreddit and promised to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.

Following this, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules could have been misinterpreted and committed to clarifying the language to prevent future confusion. DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator of r/Balatro, posted in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, stating that while they did not intend to make the subreddit AI-centric, they were considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art.

The incident highlights the broader debate over generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs and ethical concerns. The use of AI in game development has been met with criticism due to issues around ethics, rights, and the quality of AI-generated content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game entirely with AI failed, 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 "the very core" of its business, while Capcom is experimenting with generative AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Activision has also admitted to using generative AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, which sparked backlash over an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.