(Image credit: PlayStack / Localthunk / Makeship)
In a world where digital exposure is the norm, choosing to remain anonymous can offer unique advantages. For LocalThunk, the pseudonymous creator of Balatro, this anonymity allowed an unnoticed entrance at his own GDC demo booth, akin to a sneaky character in a bustling eatery.
“One of my favorite moments from GDC,” LocalThunk reminisced on Bluesky. The booth, highlighting Balatro due to its award nomination, became his playground—for a bit of personal showmanship. “Crushed a white stake run,” he recalls, referencing the notoriously challenging ‘white stake’ level in the poker roguelike, a difficulty that often troubles players and provides fodder for dedicated fan jokes.
After his unexpected triumph at the demo, akin to sparking a thrilling event, an amazed bystander approached as he was exiting. “Wow, you must have played this before!” they remarked. With understated coolness, LocalThunk replied, “I guess you could say that.“
Having never witnessed strangers engage with his creation in person, LocalThunk added, “This was actually the first and only time I have seen strangers play my game in real life.” The success of Balatro since its 2024 release has been undeniable, putting him more in a hero’s seat than anything else. With about as much surprise as seeing a fictional caped crusader, fans might expect a crowd of Jokers lining up.
Reflecting the game’s impact, Swen Vincke, director of Baldur’s Gate 3, declared Balatro his 2024 GOTY, even surpassing contenders like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Astro Bot, and Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree.