If you're a fan of indie games or rogue-like adventures, you might find Local Thunk's candid reflection on the development of Balatro particularly intriguing. In a recent post on his personal blog, the anonymous developer delves into the journey of creating this unique card-based game, sharing both the triumphs and challenges along the way.
From the start, Local Thunk was determined to approach Balatro with a sense of creative freedom. He intentionally avoided playing other rogue-like games during development, preferring instead to explore uncharted territory and experiment with ideas. As he noted, "Making games is my hobby, releasing them and making money from them is not," emphasizing his desire to innovate rather than replicate existing designs.
However, curiosity eventually got the better of him. Around December 2021, Local Thunk decided to break his self-imposed rule and played Slay the Spire. His reaction was immediate and enthusiastic: "Holy shit, now that is a game." Despite his initial intent to study the controller input mechanics, he found himself captivated by the game's design, admitting that copying its mechanics consciously or subconsciously would have compromised the uniqueness of Balatro.
Throughout the development process, Local Thunk shared several anecdotes and insights. One notable revelation was the game's working title, which was "Joker Poker" for much of its lifecycle. Additionally, he admitted to keeping the production folder named "CardGame," a decision he never revisited.
The blog post also highlights some scrapped features, such as a system where card upgrades were the sole method of progression, a separate currency for rerolls, and a 'golden seal' mechanic. Each idea brought its own set of challenges and opportunities for growth.
An unexpected discovery involved the number of Jokers in the game. During a meeting with Playstack, the publisher, Local Thunk initially mentioned "120 Jokers." A subsequent discussion referenced "150 Jokers," leading him to decide that the higher number was more appealing. This serendipitous change resulted in the final count of 150 Jokers.
The origin of the developer's pseudonym, Local Thunk, is equally fascinating. Inspired by his partner's coding practices, he adopted the term "thunk" as a playful nod to programming culture. The combination of "local" and "thunk" became the foundation for his online identity.
For those interested in diving deeper into the development story, Local Thunk's full blog post is available [here]. IGN has also praised Balatro, awarding it a 9/10 and describing it as "a deck-builder of endlessly satisfying proportions."
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