"Balatro Dev Localthunk Resolves AI Art Reddit Controversy"

Localthunk, the creative force behind the acclaimed roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened to clarify the game's stance on AI-generated art following a controversy sparked on the Balatro subreddit. The situation arose from comments made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of both the main and NSFW Balatro subreddits, who stated that AI-generated art would not be banned as long as it was properly tagged and attributed. This statement was made after what was claimed to be a discussion with staff at Playstack, the game's publisher.

In response, Localthunk took to Bluesky to express disagreement with the moderator's statements, emphasizing that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI art. Localthunk then made a comprehensive statement on the subreddit, denouncing AI-generated art and its harmful impact on artists. They confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a new policy banning AI-generated images from the subreddit, promising to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.

Playstack's communications director later admitted that the existing rules might have been ambiguous, potentially leading to misunderstandings about the allowance of AI content. They committed to clarifying the language to prevent future confusion.

DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that they did not intend to make the subreddit AI-centric but were open to designating specific days for posting AI-generated non-NSFW art. This suggestion was met with some backlash from users, one of whom suggested DrTankHead take a break from Reddit.

The issue of generative AI remains a contentious topic in the gaming and entertainment industries, particularly in light of recent layoffs and the ethical and rights concerns it raises. Despite the technology's limitations and the criticism it has received for failing to produce engaging content—as evidenced by Keywords Studios' unsuccessful attempt to create an AI-generated game—major companies like EA, Capcom, and Activision continue to explore its potential. EA has described AI as central to its business, while Capcom experiments with it for generating game environments, and Activision has used it for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, despite facing criticism over certain AI-generated images.