The creator of Balatro did not expect such a grand success for his game

In 2024, the indie game *Balatro*, developed by the solo creator under the pseudonym LocalThunk, emerged as a groundbreaking success, selling over 5 million copies. This unexpected hit not only shook the gaming industry but also captivated players worldwide, leading to multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024. Neither the players nor LocalThunk himself anticipated such a phenomenal reception.

LocalThunk had modest expectations for *Balatro*, predicting reviews around 6-7 points due to its unconventional gameplay. However, the game received a stellar 91 from PC Gamer, propelling it to an impressive 90 on both Metacritic and OpenCritic. Even LocalThunk was taken aback by this success, admitting he would have rated his own game no higher than 8 points.

The publisher, Playstack, significantly contributed to *Balatro*'s success through proactive engagement with the press before its release. Yet, the true catalyst for its sales was the power of word of mouth, which drove the game's performance to exceed forecasts by an astonishing 10-20 times. The game's launch on Steam saw 119,000 copies sold within the first 24 hours, a moment LocalThunk described as the most surreal of his life.

Overwhelmed by the game's success, LocalThunk confessed that he has no universal formula to share with other indie developers, emphasizing the unique and unpredictable nature of *Balatro*'s triumph.