Balatro Creator Rejects Microtransactions, Jokes About Dishwashers

The creator of Balatro revealed why his viral poker-inspired game contains no microtransactions or ads, stating that encountering such monetization "makes me want to put my computer in the dishwasher and set it to pots and pans."

"The real reason Balatro lacks microtransactions/season passes/ads/excessive DLC isn't just about ethics—it's because seeing those features in other games makes me physically recoil," developer Localthunk explained on Bluesky. "I understand why companies implement them, but you're ruining the user experience when players get bombarded with non-game elements during their first impression."


When questioned if he was specifically criticizing free-to-play card game Marvel Snap, Localthunk responded: "This isn't targeted at them, but I'm not excusing them either lol. Most free-to-play games have menus more complex than their actual gameplay."

The microtransaction debate remains contentious in gaming circles, with growing scrutiny over predatory monetization. Norway's consumer council has classified loot boxes as exploitative, leading to bans in Belgium and the Netherlands. U.S. senators have similarly pushed to restrict "predatory" in-app purchases following FTC investigations.

Recently, Activision faced criticism for briefly inserting ads into Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Warzone, which the company later removed, calling it an accidental "feature test."

Localthunk also recently addressed an AI art controversy after a subreddit moderator falsely claimed the developer approved AI-generated content. He clarified: "Neither Playstack nor I endorse AI 'art.' I don't use it in Balatro and recognize its harm to artists. That moderator no longer represents us."

Balatro is the breakout deckbuilder where players assemble illicit poker hands, unlock powerful jokers, and execute explosive combos. IGN's 9/10 review praised it as "the sort of fun that threatens to derail whole weekend plans."