Localthunk, the creative force behind the innovative roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy unfolding on the game's subreddit. The issue arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a NSFW Balatro subreddit, regarding the use of AI-generated art.
The situation escalated when DrTankHead declared that AI art would not be banned on the subreddit, provided it was appropriately labeled. This stance was purportedly made after consultations with Playstack, the game's publisher. However, Localthunk quickly refuted this on Bluesky, clarifying that neither they nor Playstack supported AI-generated imagery. Localthunk then made a definitive statement on the subreddit, emphasizing their opposition to AI "art" and its harmful impact on artists.
"Neither Playstack nor I condone AI 'art'. I don't use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on the topic. We have removed this moderator from the moderation team," Localthunk stated firmly.
They also announced a ban on AI-generated images on the subreddit and promised to update the rules and FAQ to reflect this policy. In a follow-up, Playstack's communications director admitted that the existing rule against "unlabeled AI content" may have been ambiguous and should have been clearer. The remaining mod team plans to refine the language to prevent future misunderstandings.
DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator of r/Balatro, acknowledged the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that their goal was not to make the NSFW subreddit AI-centric but floated the idea of dedicating a specific day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. This suggestion was met with a user's plea for DrTankHead to take a break from Reddit.
The debate over generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries is intense, fueled by ethical concerns, rights issues, and the struggle to create content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to develop a game entirely with AI failed, as the company reported to investors that AI could not replace human talent.
Despite such setbacks, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has declared AI to be at the "very core" of its business, while Capcom is experimenting with generative AI to generate vast numbers of ideas for in-game environments. Activision's use of generative AI for assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, including a controversial "AI slop" zombie Santa loading screen, has also sparked significant backlash.
