The developer of Balatro says no to AI-generated art after a conflict in a game subreddit

A recent debate in the Balatro subreddit has led developer LocalThunk to express his stance regarding art generated by artificial intelligence, arguing that this type of art harms artists and is unwelcome in the community. This conflict began after an intervention by former moderator DrTankHead, who stated that the subreddit would not ban AI-generated art as long as it was properly labeled.

LocalThunk is clear: AI harms artists

However, the community’s response was notable, showing a strong disagreement with the apparent acceptance of AI-generated art. LocalThunk, in an attempt to clarify the situation, emphasized that both he and Playstack, the company behind Balatro, do not support the use of this technology in their projects. “I do not use AI in my game, I believe it harms artists of all kinds,” expressed LocalThunk. Following these statements, a moderator was removed from their position due to their previous comments about AI.

In addition, Wout van Halderen, director of communications at Playstack, reaffirmed that the company does not condone the use of AI-generated art and that the subreddit rules would be adjusted accordingly. In fact, the new rules explicitly prohibit any AI-generated content, emphasizing the community’s commitment to protecting artists.

Despite the opposition from LocalThunk and Playstack to AI-generated art, there is a trend of developers and players who are more open to its use. In a twist, the subreddit Balatroromance, known for containing NSFW content, has announced that it will allow AI-generated art, maintaining its support for LocalThunk and the Balatro moderation team.

With this movement, questions arise about the future of art within gaming communities and whether AI will take a place in the culture of development or if we will continue to see resistance to its use on these platforms.

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Balatro is a deck-building card game that emerges as a rebellious fusion providing a fresh take on mechanics and reinvents the game of poker. At the core of this experience are illegal poker hands, an abundant variety of dynamic wildcards, and a wave of combo-driven gameplay that ensures each match feels distinct and equally exciting.