(Image credit: Playstack)
Since August last year, fans have eagerly awaited the first major gameplay update for Balatro, anticipated in 2025. With seven months passing without significant news, concerns have naturally arisen regarding its status. However, it appears the timeline remains unchanged.
Wout van Halderen of Balatro’s publisher, Playstack, reassured audiences during a Game Developers Conference Q&A: “Next update: 2025. It’s one of those things where it’s done when it’s done, because it’s got to be good before it’s fast.”
Earlier this year, a Bloomberg interview with LocalThunk provided additional insight into the update, set to be a ‘1.1’ patch. Key changes will include a rework of the Matador Joker and tweaks to the blue stake feature. LocalThunk stated, “I’m not going to get into exactly what’s going to be in it, because that also means I can’t pivot if something new doesn’t work. It’s healthier for the game that I keep my cards close to my chest, then give you the best version of whatever this new content update is.”
In a candid blog post, LocalThunk shed light on the development process, sharing how the pressure of indie development impacted his “physical and mental health.” Reflecting on Balatro’s review scores, he commented, “I don’t think I would have rated Balatro higher than an 8 and I made the damn thing.”
After a three-month hiatus, the developer returned to work purely because “I was bored but the internet was out so I couldn’t play Rocket League.”
Stay tuned for more updates as Balatro’s journey unfolds, revealing the tales from the communities you love and more.