Localthunk, the creative mind behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, has recently addressed a controversy sparked within the game's subreddit community regarding the use of AI-generated art. The issue came to light after DrTankHead, a former moderator of both the main Balatro subreddit and a related NSFW subreddit, publicly stated that AI art would be permitted in the community, provided it was properly labeled.
This stance was quickly challenged by Localthunk, who took to Bluesky to clarify their position, asserting that neither they nor their publisher, Playstack, supported the use of AI-generated imagery. In a subsequent post on the subreddit, Localthunk firmly stated, "Neither Playstack nor I condone AI 'art'. I don't use it in my game, I think it does real harm to artists of all kinds. The actions of this mod do not reflect how Playstack feels or how I feel on the topic. We have removed this moderator from the moderation team."
Localthunk also announced a new policy prohibiting AI-generated images on the subreddit and promised to update the rules and FAQ to reflect this change. In response, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the previous rule regarding "no unlabeled AI content" could have been misinterpreted, and they committed to clarifying the language in future updates.
DrTankHead, after being removed from their moderator position, posted on the NSFW Balatro subreddit, clarifying that they do not intend to make the subreddit AI-centric. However, they floated the idea of dedicating a specific day of the week for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. This suggestion received a mixed response, with one user suggesting that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit.
The debate over AI-generated content is particularly heated within the video game and entertainment industries, which have seen significant layoffs in recent years. Critics argue that AI poses ethical and rights issues and often fails to create engaging content. For example, Keywords Studios attempted to develop a game entirely using AI but reported to investors that the technology was "unable to replace talent."
Despite these challenges, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has described AI as "the very core" of its business, while Capcom is experimenting with generative AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Meanwhile, Activision faced backlash after admitting to using generative AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, particularly following criticism of an AI-generated "zombie Santa" loading screen.
This situation underscores the ongoing tension and debate surrounding the use of AI in creative industries, with developers and companies navigating the balance between innovation and ethical considerations.
