Balatro Dev Localthunk Resolves AI Art Reddit Controversy

Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy that erupted on the game's subreddit concerning the use of AI-generated art. The situation unfolded after DrTankHead, a now-former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of an NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would not be banned on the main subreddit, as long as it was properly tagged. DrTankHead claimed this decision was made following discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly clarified their stance on Bluesky, stating that neither they nor Playstack condoned AI-generated art. They further elaborated on the subreddit, expressing strong opposition to AI art, citing its harmful impact on artists. Localthunk announced the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and confirmed that AI-generated images would no longer be allowed on the subreddit, promising updates to the rules and FAQ to reflect this policy.

In a subsequent statement, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the previous rules could have been misinterpreted and emphasized the need for clearer guidelines. The remaining mod team plans to revise the language to ensure clarity.

DrTankHead, in a post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirmed their removal as a moderator of r/Balatro. They clarified that while they did not intend to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric, they were considering dedicating a specific day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a couple of weeks in response.

The debate over generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries remains heated, fueled by ethical concerns, intellectual property issues, and the often unsatisfactory quality of AI-generated content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game entirely with AI failed, as the AI could not replace human talent effectively. Despite this, tech giants like EA and Capcom continue to explore AI's potential, with EA describing AI as central to its business and Capcom experimenting with AI to generate numerous ideas for in-game environments. Activision also admitted to using generative AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, amidst criticism of an AI-generated zombie Santa loading screen.