The highly successful deck-building roguelike game, Balatro, will not be receiving its anticipated 1.1 update in 2024 as originally planned, according to an announcement by its solo developer, LocalThunk.
In a statement titled “I’m slow,” LocalThunk apologized to players for not meeting the initial timeline, admitting, “I probably shouldn’t have announced any date.” He expressed regret for breaking the promise of a 2024 release, stating, “I feel bad for not keeping that promise, and I am sorry.”
Following Balatro’s release, LocalThunk dedicated himself to a balance patch and a mobile port. He then began working on the 1.1 update this year but opted for a more relaxed pace, mirroring the game’s initial development. “However, I chose to only work on the game like I did when the project began, as a hobbyist,” he explained, noting that this approach is “a lot slower than working in crunch mode 12 hours per day like I was around launch.”
LocalThunk emphasized the importance of avoiding rushed development, stating that the prospect “felt terrible.” He acknowledged his past aversion to deadlines, saying, “I have never, before Balatro, set a deadline for any of my creative projects and I now realise how important that is for my process.”
He further explained his commitment to a sustainable work-life balance: “I am in a very lucky position in that I can choose to work this job however I wish, and I think the best version of ‘work’ for me is the version that makes me want to come back to my keyboard every day, healthy, and hopefully just as excited about game development 5 years from now as I am today. I don’t want 1.1 to be the last update this game gets.”
The 1.1 update will be released “when it’s done” and will be free on all platforms. LocalThunk reassured players of his commitment to Balatro’s continued development, affirming, “The Balatro player in me will absolutely not allow me walk away from developing this game…Rest assured, it will happen.”
Despite initial challenges with ratings boards, Balatro has achieved considerable success. LocalThunk has now “100 percent completed his own game,” which he says has equipped him to design the upcoming update more effectively.
