Some of the most heartwarming tales in game development hail from unlikely origins, and I’ve been following the journey of LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the critically acclaimed game, Balatro, for quite some time. His story is one of passion turned success, a hobby game that secured a Game of the Year nomination and reached a staggering 5 million copies sold.
LocalThunk never anticipated such acclaim for his card-battling roguelike, originally dubbed ‘Joker Poker’. He chronicles this unexpected journey in a recent, diary-like blog post, revealing the whirlwind timeline behind the game’s creation. It’s a captivating read, filled with the raw emotion of an earnest creator who simply loved crafting his game, never expecting the wave of praise that followed. Here are some highlights from his post that stood out to me.
### A Short Vacation in December 2021 Sparked the Beginning
LocalThunk began this adventure during a three-week vacation from his IT job. He wasn’t on a typical holiday, though; he was determined to work on “some kind of project.” Initially focused on creating mods for other games, this time off evolved into crafting a template for an entirely new game. His first concept imagined an online multiplayer experience based on two classic card games, Big 2 and Cheat. However, after watching the streamer Northernlion play Luck be a Landlord, LocalThunk decided to pivot.
What started as just ‘CardGame’ – still the name in the source code – became something unique. LocalThunk decided not to play any more roguelikes as he pushed through development, wanting to avoid external influences and embrace the mistakes along the way. However, in May 2023, he briefly broke this oath to solve a problem with controller inputs, consulting Slay the Spire for inspiration. Fortunately, he managed to do so without imitating their excellent design.
### Venturing into Steam’s Vast Marketplace
In 2022, LocalThunk soldiered on with prototype development, rechristening the game ‘Joker Poker’. Every spare moment outside his IT work was spent honing mechanics and testing placeholder assets, gradually shaping the game with Jokers and Boss Blinds. That May, he thought seriously about launching on Steam. Although he’d dabbled in game development for a decade, his projects were mere prototypes shared among friends. Could ‘Joker Poker’ be the one to go public?
The plan wasn’t fueled by financial dreams or fame, but by the desire to present himself as a credible game developer in job applications – a Steam release would provide a solid portfolio piece. A game-dev pal who tested the beta buoyed his hopes by playing for hours on end, suggesting that maybe a wider audience might enjoy it, too.
### Joker Poker Evolves into Balatro and a Full-Time Dedication
A job opportunity for his partner prompted LocalThunk to leave his IT position and relocate, seizing the chance to dedicate himself fully to Joker Poker without job distractions, albeit funded by his savings. However, the title ‘Joker Poker’ was already taken, so he brainstormed with friends, among them a proposed list that included names like ‘Rogue Hold ’em’, ‘Trial of the Fool’, and ‘Cartomancer’s Hold ’em’. Yet, he felt a particular resonance with ‘Balatro’, an ancient Roman term for a professional jester. Trusting his instincts, he opted for this unique name.
Uploading to Steam also involved a significant step: paying the intimidating $100 fee. While initially skeptical that the game would sell, LocalThunk hoped that any sales would justify the expense. With the beta going live on Steam in May 2023, interest was initially scarce, gathering just 48 wishlists by the month’s end.
### Streamer Spotlight and Publisher Playstack’s Interest Boost Its Reach
As the year progressed, something shifted. Streamers discovered Balatro, with Dan Gheesling, among the first, even featuring LocalThunk on his podcast. This attention substantially increased wishlist numbers to 2,440 by June. Shortly after, Playstack approached to offer publishing support.
The game’s visibility surged with NorthernLion’s endorsement, word-of-mouth exposure, and a showcase at Steam’s Next Fest, leaving Balatro with nearly 50,000 wishlists by September’s close.
### Pushing Through Crunch Time Despite Challenges
Faced with growing anticipation, LocalThunk felt the strain towards the year’s end. He battled stress-related health issues amidst mounting pressure. Nonetheless, he persevered, implementing crucial changes before the February release. At the eventful Next Fest, the game shone brightly, one of the real festival standouts. In a heartening moment, he finally played his creation, surprised by its fun factor. “I actually did it,” he mused, realizing his aspirations had materialized.
Balatro’s big break came with a glowing 91 review from PC Gamer – a score that dazzled and humbled LocalThunk. Buoyed by similar accolades from MetaCritic and OpenCritic, he witnessed transformative financial success, far exceeding previous earnings. Celebrating with burgers and champagne, the journey had come full circle.
### Balatro’s Impact and Expansion Beyond the Launch
Balatro’s release echoed far and wide, capturing a Game of the Year nomination and bringing its iconic jester, Jimbo, to titles like Cyberpunk 2077. With four Friends of Jimbo updates, Balatro enriched its offering with cards drawing inspiration from celebrated games like The Witcher 3 and Slay the Spire, expanding its universe.
Merchandise opportunities followed, from quirky Jimbo pillows to real-life card decks. Initially brushed off as an indie darling, its addictive appeal won many skeptics over. If you haven’t yet tried Balatro, it’s now featured on Xbox Game Pass or available for purchase at CDKeys. As for LocalThunk, his personal blog offers a deeper dive into his inspiring creative journey and design influences such as Solitaire. If you’re ready to dive into the charm of Balatro, you won’t regret it.
