Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy brewing within the game's subreddit community. The issue centered around statements made by a moderator, DrTankHead, regarding the use of AI-generated art on the Balatro subreddit and its NSFW counterpart.
The situation escalated when DrTankHead, who was also a moderator of an NSFW Balatro subreddit, announced that AI-generated art would be allowed on both subreddits, provided it was properly labeled. This decision was purportedly made after discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher. However, Localthunk quickly clarified on Bluesky that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated imagery.
In a detailed statement on the Balatro subreddit, Localthunk expressed a strong stance against AI "art," emphasizing its harmful impact on artists and confirming that it was not used in Balatro. They also announced the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and a new policy banning AI-generated images from the subreddit, with plans to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.
Playstack's communications director later acknowledged that the existing rules could have been misinterpreted and promised clearer guidelines in the future. Meanwhile, DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator, stated in the NSFW Balatro subreddit that they did not intend to make it AI-centric but were considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art.
The incident reflects broader tensions within the gaming and entertainment industries over the use of generative AI, which has faced criticism for ethical and rights issues, as well as its inability to consistently produce engaging content. Despite these challenges, major companies like EA, Capcom, and Activision continue to explore AI's potential, with varying degrees of success and public reception.
