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

Localthunk, the developer behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, intervened in a dispute on the game's subreddit concerning a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. The situation, highlighted by Garbage Day and Rock Paper Shotgun, 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, provided it was properly attributed and tagged, claiming this decision followed discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.

However, Localthunk contradicted this on Bluesky, clarifying that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated imagery. A subsequent statement on the subreddit from Localthunk confirmed this, stating that the moderator's actions did not reflect their or Playstack's views. DrTankHead was subsequently removed from the main subreddit's moderation team, and a policy prohibiting AI-generated images was implemented. Playstack's communications director acknowledged that their previous guidelines were unclear, leading to misinterpretations. The remaining moderators are working to clarify the subreddit's rules.

DrTankHead, in a post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, acknowledged 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 might be permitted on specific days. One user responded by suggesting DrTankHead take a break from Reddit.

The debate around AI art is significant within the gaming industry, particularly given recent widespread layoffs. Concerns about ethical and rights issues, coupled with AI's limitations in producing consistently high-quality content, have led to criticism from players and creators alike. Keywords Studios' failed experiment in creating an entirely AI-driven game serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting AI's current inability to replace human talent. Despite this, major players like EA, who declared AI "the very core" of its business, and Capcom, who are experimenting with AI for environment creation, are actively investing in AI technology. Activision's recent admission of using generative AI for some Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 assets, amidst criticism over an AI-generated loading screen image, further underscores the ongoing debate surrounding AI's role in game development.