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

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 arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a related NSFW subreddit, regarding the use of AI-generated art.

The situation escalated when DrTankHead announced that AI art would be allowed on both subreddits, provided it was properly labeled and tagged. 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 firmly denounced AI "art," emphasizing their commitment to supporting real artists and highlighting the harm AI-generated content can cause. They confirmed that DrTankHead had been removed from the moderation team and announced 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 moving forward. Meanwhile, DrTankHead, now removed from the r/Balatro moderation team, expressed intentions to possibly dedicate a specific day for AI-generated art on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, though not aiming to make it AI-centric.

The broader context of this incident reflects ongoing debates within the gaming and entertainment industries about the role of generative AI. Amidst significant layoffs, the use of AI has been met with criticism over ethical concerns, rights issues, and the quality of AI-generated content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game entirely with AI failed, underscoring AI's limitations in replacing human creativity. Despite such setbacks, major companies like EA and Capcom continue to explore AI's potential, while Activision faced backlash for using AI in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

This incident with Balatro underscores the tensions and complexities surrounding AI in creative industries, highlighting the need for clear policies and communication to align with community values and ethical standards.