'It Does Real Harm to Artists of All Kinds' — Balatro Dev Localthunk Steps In to Resolve AI Art Reddit Fiasco

Localthunk, developer of the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, intervened in a dispute on the game's subreddit regarding a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. The controversy began with DrTankHead, a former moderator of the main Balatro subreddit and current moderator of its NSFW counterpart. DrTankHead had previously stated that AI art would be permitted on both subreddits, provided it was properly attributed and tagged, claiming this decision was made "after discussion with the staff at Playstack."

However, Localthunk contradicted this statement on Bluesky, clarifying that neither they nor their publisher, Playstack, approved of AI-generated imagery. Localthunk subsequently issued a statement on the subreddit itself, announcing DrTankHead's removal from the moderation team and a ban on AI-generated images. They emphasized their disapproval of AI art, citing its potential harm to artists. Playstack's communications director later acknowledged that the subreddit's rules regarding AI content lacked clarity, stating that a rule against "unlabeled AI content" could have been misinterpreted. The remaining moderators plan to revise the rules for greater transparency.

DrTankHead, in a post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirmed their removal and stated that while they don't intend to make the subreddit AI-centric, they are considering a schedule where non-NSFW AI-generated art could be posted on specific days. One user responded by suggesting DrTankHead take a break from Reddit.

The Balatro situation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding AI art within the gaming industry. This debate is fueled by ethical and rights concerns, as well as the limitations of current AI technology in producing high-quality, engaging content. Keywords Studios' failed experiment in creating an entirely AI-driven game underscores these limitations. Despite this, major players like EA and Capcom are actively exploring AI's potential, with EA calling AI "the very core" of its business and Capcom experimenting with generative AI for environment creation. Activision recently acknowledged using generative AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, facing criticism for the use of AI in a controversial loading screen image.