LocalThunk, an anonymous game developer from Saskatchewan, created the surprise hit Balatro, a poker-inspired deck-building game. Despite its massive success—winning three awards at the 2024 Game Awards and selling over 3.5 million copies—LocalThunk remains a mystery, choosing to stay out of the spotlight. Balatro has become a cult favorite, with a thriving community and rave reviews. The indie developer, who worked solo for three years on the game, says he made it for fun and enjoys the creative freedom of working alone. Despite the game's success, he remains humbled and unsure why his "weird" game became such a hit.
