Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently found themselves at the center of a controversy on the game's subreddit. The drama unfolded after a now-former moderator, DrTankHead, who also moderated a NSFW Balatro subreddit, announced that AI-generated art would not be banned from the subreddit, provided it was properly tagged. This statement was made after supposed discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.
However, Localthunk quickly clarified their stance on Bluesky, stating that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated imagery. They followed up with a more detailed statement on the subreddit, expressing their opposition to AI "art" and its potential harm to artists. Localthunk confirmed that DrTankHead had been removed from the moderation team and that AI-generated images would no longer be allowed on the subreddit. They promised to update the rules and FAQ to reflect this policy.
Playstack's communications director admitted that the previous rule about "no unlabeled AI content" could have led to misunderstandings and promised clearer guidelines moving forward. DrTankHead, now removed from the r/Balatro mod team, mentioned in the NSFW Balatro subreddit that they did not intend to make it AI-centric but were considering a designated day for AI-generated art posts.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate around generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have seen significant layoffs. Critics argue that AI poses ethical and rights issues and often fails to create engaging content, as evidenced by Keywords Studios' unsuccessful attempt to develop a game using entirely AI-generated content. Despite these challenges, major players like EA, Capcom, and Activision continue to explore AI's potential, with varying degrees of success and public reception.
