"Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

The situation began with DrTankHead, a former moderator of the official Balatro subreddit and current moderator of an NSFW version of the same community. The mod had made a public statement indicating that AI art would be permitted in both communities, provided it was properly labeled. “We will not be banning AI art here, if it is properly claimed and tagged as such,” they wrote. According to them, this decision followed internal discussions with Playstack, the game’s publisher.

This stance quickly drew attention—and pushback—from Localthunk. The developer took to Bluesky to clarify their position, stating that this was not aligned with their views or those of Playstack. Soon after, Localthunk posted directly on the subreddit to set the record straight.

“Neither Playstack nor I condone AI ‘art’. I don't use it in my game, and I believe it does real harm to artists across all disciplines. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on this issue. We have removed this moderator from the moderation team,” Localthunk stated firmly. They also confirmed that going forward, AI-generated images would no longer be allowed on the subreddit, and promised updated rules and FAQs to make that policy clear.

In a follow-up, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the previous rule prohibiting "unlabeled AI content" may have been ambiguous. It seems some interpreted it as tacit approval of AI imagery rather than a labeling requirement. To prevent confusion moving forward, the remaining moderation team plans to revise the language for clarity.

DrTankHead later responded in the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirming their removal from the main subreddit's moderation team. They clarified that the NSFW community won’t become an AI-centric space, though they are considering a limited approach—such as allowing AI-created non-NSFW art on specific days of the week.

One user’s reaction to the idea? “Please just get off Reddit for a week or two.”

The debate around generative AI in games and entertainment continues to heat up, especially amid industry-wide layoffs and growing concerns about ethics, rights, and artistic integrity. While some studios have tried—and failed—to rely solely on AI, like Keywords Studios whose AI-only game flopped and led to the admission that AI “cannot replace talent,” others continue to double down.

Major publishers including EA have openly embraced AI, calling it “the very core” of their business strategy. Capcom has also announced experiments with generative AI for environmental design, while Activision recently faced backlash after using AI to create a controversial zombie Santa loading screen for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. Players and creators alike remain deeply divided over the impact of these technologies—not only on creativity but on the livelihoods of professional artists.

As the conversation evolves, one thing remains clear: the gaming community wants transparency, respect for human creativity, and boundaries when it comes to AI integration.