Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened to address a controversy in the Balatro subreddit sparked by a moderator's stance on AI-generated art. The situation unfolded when DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of an NSFW Balatro subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would not be banned, provided it was properly tagged and claimed. This statement was purportedly made after discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.
Localthunk quickly clarified their position on Bluesky, asserting that neither they nor Playstack condoned AI-generated art. In a comprehensive statement on the subreddit, Localthunk expressed strong opposition to AI art, emphasizing its harmful impact on artists and confirming that AI-generated imagery would no longer be permitted on the subreddit. They also announced the removal of DrTankHead from the moderation team and promised to update the subreddit's rules and FAQ to reflect this policy.
Playstack's communications director later acknowledged that the existing rule against "unlabeled AI content" might have been misinterpreted and committed to clarifying the language to prevent future confusion.
DrTankHead, in a post on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, confirmed their removal as a moderator of r/Balatro and expressed intentions to possibly designate a specific day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a couple of weeks.
The controversy comes at a time when generative AI is a highly debated topic in the video game and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs. Critics argue that AI poses ethical and rights issues and often fails to produce content that resonates with audiences. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game using entirely AI resulted in failure, with the company admitting to investors that AI could not replace human talent.
Despite such setbacks, tech giants like EA and Capcom continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has declared AI to be central to its business, while Capcom explores using generative AI to generate numerous ideas for in-game environments. Most recently, Activision faced criticism for using generative AI in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly after backlash against an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.
