The creator of Balatro did not expect such a grand success for his game

Balatro, a game developed by solo creator LocalThunk, unexpectedly became a 2024 indie sensation, selling over 5 million copies. This achievement significantly impacted the gaming industry, earning Balatro accolades and awards at The Game Awards 2024. The game's success surprised both players and the developer himself.

LocalThunk initially anticipated modest reviews, predicting a 6-7 point rating given the game's unconventional concept. However, a 91-point review from PC Gamer, followed by similarly positive critical reception, propelled Balatro to a 90 Metacritic and OpenCritic score. This outcome astonished LocalThunk, who admitted he'd personally rate his own creation no higher than 8 points.

Playstack's proactive pre-release press engagement played a crucial role in Balatro's success. However, word-of-mouth marketing proved the true sales engine, exceeding initial projections by a factor of 10 to 20. The game's Steam launch saw 119,000 copies sold within the first 24 hours—an experience the developer described as surreal.

The overwhelming success of Balatro has led the creator to admit he lacks a universal recipe for success that he can share with other indie developers.