"Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

Localthunk, the creative mind behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy unfolding on the Balatro subreddit concerning a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. The situation escalated after DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of an NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly declared no intention to ban AI art as long as it was appropriately labeled and tagged. This statement was reportedly made following discussions with the staff at Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly refuted these claims, clarifying their position via Bluesky and directly on the subreddit. In a clear statement, Localthunk emphasized their disapproval of AI-generated 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." They further noted that DrTankHead's actions did not reflect the views of Playstack or themselves, leading to DrTankHead's removal from the moderation team. Localthunk also announced a new policy for the subreddit: "We will not be allowing AI generated images on this subreddit from now on."

Following this, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules might have been ambiguous, particularly a rule against "unlabeled AI content," which could have been misinterpreted as permissive. The mod team plans to revise and clarify these rules soon.

DrTankHead, in response to their removal, posted in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirming their dismissal and clarifying that their aim was not to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric. They are, however, considering a designated day for posting AI-generated non-NSFW art.

The issue of generative AI remains a contentious topic within the gaming and broader entertainment industries, particularly amid recent widespread layoffs. Critics argue that AI poses ethical and rights challenges and often fails to create content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game entirely using AI was unsuccessful, as they reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite such setbacks, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has described AI as central to its business, while Capcom is experimenting with AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Most recently, Activision faced criticism for using generative AI in some assets for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly after a poorly received AI-generated zombie Santa loading screen.

This incident with Balatro underscores the ongoing debate and sensitivities around AI-generated content in creative industries.