"Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

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

In response, Localthunk took to Bluesky to clarify that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated imagery. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, expressing a strong stance against AI 'art' and its potential harm to artists. Localthunk confirmed the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and announced a new policy prohibiting AI-generated images on the subreddit, promising updates to the rules and FAQ to reflect this change.

Playstack's communications director later acknowledged that the existing rules might have been misinterpreted, as they only prohibited unlabeled AI content. The remaining moderators plan to revise the language to prevent future confusion.

DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator, posted on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, clarifying that they do not intend to make the subreddit AI-centric but are 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 following the incident.

The debate over AI-generated content is a hot topic in the gaming and entertainment industries, especially amidst recent layoffs. Both players and creators have criticized AI due to ethical concerns, rights issues, and the often poor quality of AI-produced content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game solely using AI failed, as the company reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.

Despite these challenges, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has declared AI as central to its business, while Capcom is exploring generative AI to generate numerous ideas for in-game environments. Activision recently faced backlash for using generative AI in some assets for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly highlighted by an unpopular "AI slop" zombie Santa loading screen.