Balatro is a game that seems ripe for microtransactions—ranging from card backs to seasonal passes—but it offers none of these. Creator LocalThunk explained his rationale, stating, “The honest reason I don’t have microtransactions/season pass/ads/100 DLCs/etc in Balatro isn’t just about the ethics of those practices but because when I play other games that have those things, it makes me want to put my computer in the dishwasher and set it to pots and pans.”

Translation: The real reason for excluding microtransactions and similar models isn’t merely ethical concerns, but because they severely reduce the enjoyment of the game experience.

He continued to express that the clutter of ads and in-game purchases compromises user experience significantly. LocalThunk aspires for players to have an unblemished experience, allowing them to pay for the game and enjoy it fully without distractions.

In a humorous comparison, he mentioned: “You’re shooting your UX in the foot if players are having their first impression and also being bombarded with a bunch of nonsense that isn’t actually the game.”

This perspective resonates with players who often feel overwhelmed by aggressive monetization strategies in the gaming industry, making Balatro’s approach refreshing and commendable.