"Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

Localthunk, the creative mind behind the innovative roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy unfolding on the game's subreddit. The issue arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit, who also moderates an NSFW version of the community. DrTankHead had announced that AI-generated art would be allowed on both subreddits if properly labeled, a stance purportedly agreed upon with Playstack, the game's publisher.

Localthunk quickly clarified on Bluesky that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI art. They followed up with a detailed statement on the subreddit, emphasizing their opposition to AI-generated imagery and its detrimental impact on artists. "Neither Playstack nor I condone AI 'art'. I don't use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds," Localthunk stated firmly. They also announced the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and a new policy banning AI-generated images from the subreddit, with forthcoming updates to the rules and FAQ to reflect this decision.

In response to the confusion, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rule against "unlabeled AI content" could have been misinterpreted and committed to clarifying the language in the future. Meanwhile, DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, stating they had no intention of making it AI-centric but were considering a designated day for AI-generated non-NSFW art.

The broader context of this incident highlights the contentious role of generative AI within the video game and entertainment industries. Amid significant layoffs, the use of AI has sparked debates over ethics, rights, and the quality of AI-produced content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game entirely using AI failed, as the company reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent. Despite such setbacks, major companies like EA and Capcom continue to explore AI's potential, with EA describing AI as central to its business and Capcom using it to generate vast numbers of ideas for game environments. Activision's recent use of generative AI for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets, particularly a controversial zombie Santa loading screen, further underscores the ongoing tension and debate surrounding AI in gaming.