Localthunk, the creative force behind the popular roguelike poker game Balatro, recently intervened in a controversy brewing within the game's subreddit community. The issue arose from statements made by DrTankHead, a former moderator of the Balatro subreddit and current moderator of a related NSFW subreddit, regarding the use of AI-generated art.
The situation escalated when DrTankHead announced that AI art would not be banned from the subreddits, provided it was properly labeled and tagged. This stance was purportedly made after discussions with Playstack, the game's publisher. However, Localthunk quickly clarified on Bluesky that neither they nor Playstack supported the use of AI-generated imagery. They further elaborated on the Balatro subreddit, stating, "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 for the subreddit: "We will not be allowing AI generated images on this subreddit from now on. We will make sure our rules and FAQ reflect this soon." In response, Playstack's communications director acknowledged that the previous rules could have been misinterpreted and emphasized the need for clearer guidelines. The remaining moderators are set to revise the language to prevent future confusion.
DrTankHead, after being removed as a moderator of r/Balatro, addressed the situation on the NSFW Balatro subreddit. They clarified that their goal was not to make the subreddit AI-centric but mentioned considering a designated day for posting non-NSFW AI-generated art. A user suggested that DrTankHead take a break from Reddit for a week or two.
The debate over AI-generated content is particularly relevant in the gaming and entertainment industries, which have faced significant layoffs recently. The use of AI has sparked ethical and rights concerns, as well as criticism over the quality of AI-produced content. For example, Keywords Studios' attempt to create a game using AI failed, with the company admitting to investors that AI could not replace human talent.
Despite these challenges, major tech companies continue to invest heavily in AI. EA has described AI as central to its business, while Capcom is exploring generative AI to generate ideas for in-game environments. Activision has also admitted to using generative AI for some assets in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, following backlash over an AI-generated zombie Santa loading screen.
