Localthunk, the creator of the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy sparked within the game's subreddit. The issue arose when a moderator, DrTankHead, stated that AI-generated art would be allowed on both the main and NSFW Balatro subreddits, claiming this decision was made after discussions with Playstack, Balatro's publisher.

This stance led to confusion and disagreement, prompting Localthunk to clarify their position on Bluesky and then directly on the subreddit. Localthunk firmly stated that neither they nor Playstack support AI-generated art, emphasizing that such content is not used in Balatro and is harmful to artists. As a result, DrTankHead was removed from the moderation team, and a new rule was implemented banning AI-generated images from the subreddit.

Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the previous rules might have been ambiguous, allowing room for misinterpretation. The remaining moderators plan to revise the language to make the policy clear.

DrTankHead, now removed from the main subreddit's moderation team, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that while the NSFW subreddit would not become AI-centric, they were considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art.

The incident highlights the broader debate over generative AI in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs and are grappling with ethical and rights issues related to AI. Examples of AI's limitations include Keywords Studios' unsuccessful attempt to create a game entirely with AI, and criticisms faced by companies like EA, Capcom, and Activision for their use of AI in game development and content creation.