Localthunk, the creative mind behind the hit roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy sparked within the game's subreddit over the use of AI-generated art. The drama unfolded after DrTankHead, a now-former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and also a moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would not be banned from either subreddit as long as it was properly labeled and tagged. DrTankHead claimed this decision was made after discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher.
Localthunk quickly took to Bluesky to clarify that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated art. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, expressing a strong stance against AI "art" due to its potential harm to artists. Localthunk confirmed that DrTankHead had been removed from the moderation team and announced that AI-generated images would no longer be permitted on the subreddit, with plans to update the rules and FAQ accordingly.
In response, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the existing rule against "unlabeled AI content" may have been misinterpreted, and the remaining mod team intends to clarify the language in the future.
DrTankHead, now removed as a mod from r/Balatro, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, stating that they do not aim to make it AI-centric but are considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art.
The incident highlights the broader debate around generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs in recent years. Critics argue that AI raises ethical and rights issues and often fails to produce content that audiences appreciate. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create an entirely AI-generated game was unsuccessful, leading them to admit to investors that AI could not replace human talent.
Despite these challenges, tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has stated that AI is central to its business model, while Capcom is exploring generative AI to generate vast numbers of ideas for in-game environments. Most recently, Activision faced backlash for using generative AI in some assets for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly after an "AI slop" zombie Santa loading screen stirred controversy.
