LocalThunk is the one-man team behind Balatro, the poker-inspired roguelike deck builder that took the world by storm this year. The game has sold 3.5 million units as of this week and the tally keeps climbing. There’s no doubt thousands more will pick up the game tonight, as the title is up for Game of the Year at The Game Awards. As far as success goes, LocalThunk is having the best year of his life.
Of course, with all that success comes a change to lifestyle as well. Sure, now the Balatro dev has enough money to retire on (according to their own comments), but money and fame bring with them a new set of problems. In an interview with GQ, LocalThunk opens up on what life is like post Balatro, and how he might have been happier back when he was an unknown dev.
Honestly, yeah (there’s part of me that regrets Balatro’s success). Don’t get me wrong – this has changed my life in a lot of amazing ways. I’m so grateful. But I do miss that time before. It was just a hobby that recharged my batteries. Sometimes I think, ‘Maybe I would’ve been happier if I had never released this game to the public.’
[LocalThunk, Balatro creator]
