"Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently addressed a controversy within the game's subreddit community regarding AI-generated art. The situation arose when DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would not be banned as long as it was properly labeled and tagged. This statement was purportedly made after discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

Localthunk quickly clarified their stance on Bluesky, asserting that neither they nor Playstack condone AI-generated imagery. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, emphasizing their opposition to AI art due to its potential harm to artists. Localthunk confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a ban on AI-generated images on the subreddit, with plans to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.

In response, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules might have been ambiguous, as they only prohibited unlabeled AI content. The remaining moderators intend to clarify this policy to prevent future misunderstandings.

DrTankHead, after being removed from the r/Balatro moderation team, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that their goal was not to make the subreddit AI-centric but mentioned considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a week or two.

The use of generative AI remains a contentious topic in the gaming and entertainment industries, particularly in light of recent layoffs. Critics argue that AI raises ethical and rights issues and often fails to create engaging content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a fully AI-generated game was unsuccessful, as they reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite these challenges, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. Electronic Arts (EA) described AI as central to its business model, while Capcom has been experimenting with generative AI to generate vast numbers of ideas for in-game environments. Activision also admitted to using generative AI for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, following criticism over an AI-generated zombie Santa loading screen.