To call Balatro anything but a success would be an understatement. In fact, it might require a new word, because the hit game has blazed an incredible path, one that has changed the life of its creator forever.
Balatro is one of the best games that I played in 2024. It also took my life for a month.
To recap, to date, Balatro has sold over five million copies and counting. That figure includes a staggering $4.5 million from mobile sales alone. It was nominated for multiple Game of the Year awards, and before 2024 was up, it managed to crossover with multiple major franchises, including The Witcher.
Still, while the game manages to rise above and set new records, the life of LocalThunk has remained largely the same, and that's by choice.
In an interview with Bloomberg, LocalThunk, the creator of Balatro, who wishes to be as anonymous as possible, shared that development on the game began in 2021. By 2024, the game was ready for release and was a major hit on day one, thanks to a unique marketing plan.
In the wake of its success, he was able to purchase a house for him and his partner,...
