Balatro Dev Localthunk Addresses AI Art Controversy on Reddit

Localthunk, the developer behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy on the game's subreddit concerning the use of AI-generated art. The issue was sparked by statements from DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, who announced that AI art would not be banned as long as it was properly labeled.

This stance was quickly contradicted by Localthunk, who took to Bluesky to clarify their position, stating that neither they nor their publisher, Playstack, supported AI-generated imagery. Localthunk further elaborated in a statement on the subreddit, expressing strong opposition to AI "art" and its potential harm to artists. They confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a ban on AI-generated images on the subreddit, promising updated rules and FAQs to reflect this policy.

Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules could have been clearer, particularly a rule about "no unlabeled AI content," which might have been misinterpreted. The remaining moderators plan to revise the language to prevent future confusion.

DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator, posted in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, stating that they did not intend to make it AI-centric but were considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a couple of weeks.

The debate over generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries is intense, fueled by ethical concerns, rights issues, and the quality of AI-generated content. Despite failures, such as Keywords Studios' unsuccessful attempt to create a game entirely with AI, tech companies like EA and Capcom continue to explore AI's potential. EA has described AI as central to its business, while Capcom is using it to generate ideas for in-game environments. Activision's use of generative AI for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets has also stirred controversy, particularly over an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.