"Balatro Dev Localthunk Tackles AI Art Controversy on Reddit"

Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a heated discussion on the Balatro subreddit, sparked by a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. The situation unfolded after DrTankHead, a former moderator of both the main and NSFW Balatro subreddits, declared that AI art would not be banned as long as it was properly tagged and claimed. This statement was made following what DrTankHead claimed were discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

However, Localthunk quickly clarified their position on Bluesky, emphasizing a starkly different view from that of DrTankHead. In a detailed statement on the subreddit, Localthunk made it clear that neither they nor Playstack condone the use of AI-generated art. "I don't use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds," Localthunk stated, adding that the former moderator's actions did not reflect the views of Playstack or themselves. Consequently, DrTankHead was removed from the moderation team, and a new policy was announced: AI-generated images would no longer be allowed on the subreddit.

In a follow-up, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rules may have been ambiguous, with a previous rule against "unlabeled AI content" potentially misinterpreted as allowing such content. The remaining moderators plan to clarify the subreddit's rules and FAQ to reflect this new stance.

DrTankHead, in a post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirmed their removal and expressed that while they do not intend to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric, they are considering a dedicated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a while.

The controversy around AI-generated content in the gaming and entertainment sectors is part of a broader debate, fueled by ethical concerns, copyright issues, and the often disappointing quality of AI-generated content. Notable examples include Keywords Studios' failed attempt at creating an entirely AI-generated game, and the mixed reactions to EA and Capcom's embrace of AI technology for game development. Activision's use of AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 has also stirred controversy, particularly with the backlash against an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.