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Who makes it · Developer

LocalThunk

Based in Saskatchewan, Canada

LocalThunk is the pseudonym of the anonymous solo developer behind Balatro, a 2024 poker-themed roguelike deck-building game published by Playstack. Balatro is sold once with no real-money purchases, and its post-launch content updates have been free.

Track record FairWorst badge: Good practice
On the record 5dated events, each with a source
In the guide 1game it made or published

Track-record badges

What stands out, worst first

  • Pay-once house

    Pay-once house

    Balatro is sold once; its 'Friends of Jimbo' content updates in 2024 and 2025 were free.
  • Independent

    Independent studio

    A solo developer who owns Balatro and works with Playstack under a publishing deal; no publisher or platform owns the studio.

Track record

What's on the record, newest first

  1. Other

    Delayed Balatro's 1.1 update to avoid crunch

    LocalThunk said the promised 1.1 update would not arrive in 2025, explaining he had burned out after working long hours around launch and now works on the game as a hobbyist, a few hours a day.

    Polygon
  2. Regulator action

    Balatro's European rating was lowered to PEGI 12 on appeal

    PEGI's Complaints Board changed Balatro's rating from PEGI 18 to PEGI 12 after an appeal, concluding that although the game explains poker hands it contains mitigating fantastical elements. PEGI said it would develop more detailed criteria for gambling themes.

    Eurogamer
  3. Good practice

    Released free 'Friends of Jimbo' content updates

    Balatro received a series of 'Friends of Jimbo' updates adding card art from other games such as Stardew Valley and Cyberpunk 2077, free for all players; the first arrived in August 2024.

    PC Gamer
  4. Good practice

    Said his will bars Balatro from being sold or licensed to gambling companies

    LocalThunk said that when he made his will he stipulated that the Balatro intellectual property may never be sold or licensed to any gambling company or casino.

    PC Gamer
  5. Regulator action

    Balatro was re-rated 18+ in Europe and briefly pulled from some stores

    Shortly after launch, Balatro's European age rating was changed from 3+ to 18+ for 'prominent gambling imagery', and the game was temporarily removed from sale on some console stores. Publisher Playstack said the game contains no gambling mechanics and that the change was unfounded.

    Eurogamer

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Games in the guide

What LocalThunk made or published

Each game's money rating is its own: it comes from how that game makes money, not from the company's record.

Last checked 1 November 2026. Sources: www.eurogamer.net, www.gamesindustry.biz, www.theverge.com, www.pcgamer.com, www.pcgamer.com, www.eurogamer.net, www.polygon.com, www.gamesindustry.biz, www.france24.com, en.wikipedia.org. Spotted something wrong or missing? Send a correction.