Like a king moving anonymously among his subjects, LocalThunk, the developer behind Balatro, showcased his skills at the recent GDC. Despite the game’s success, he remains notoriously private, according to Wout van Halderen, the communications director of Balatro’s publisher, Playstack.

“He’s not trying to pull a Banksy, he’s just a person who doesn’t really like the spotlight,” said Halderen. This choice of anonymity helps him manage the pressures of stardom as he enjoys the success of his game.

While attending GDC, he casually demonstrated his prowess at Balatro and faded into the crowd, leaving onlookers impressed. “One of my favorite moments from GDC—they had a booth set up to play Balatro since it was an award nominee,” LocalThunk revealed on Bluesky. “I watched for a bit then I gave it a go myself. Crushed a white stake run. Someone approached me as I was about to leave. ‘Wow, you must have played this before!’ ‘I guess you could say that.’”

Although he prefers to keep his real identity a secret, the enthusiasm and creativity he brings to his work ensure he garners attention, much like a ghost moving among the living, enveloped in mystery.