What Happened?

LocalThunk, known for the indie hit Balatro, revealed that they took a three-month break from development. The unexpected halt was caused by boredom combined with a lack of internet connectivity, which prevented them from playing their backup game, Rocket League.

“The reason I went back to making Balatro 3 months after I essentially gave it up in March 2022 was because I was bored but the internet was out so I couldn’t play Rocket League.” - LocalThunk

During the hiatus, LocalThunk had abandoned development of the game, but this unique circumstance reignited their passion for creating the innovative card game.

Development Timeline

Reflecting on their journey, LocalThunk shared insights into the challenging yet rewarding phases of their game development journey, highlighting a timeline that began in December 2021.

Balatro Image credit: LocalThunk

Despite the ups and downs of indie game development, such as seeking publishers and dealing with self-doubt, LocalThunk’s story is one of resilience and creativity. The last year has been filled with joy and surprises for both developers and players alike, culminating in their success with Balatro.