The AIAS Game Maker's Notebook Balatro Creator LocalThunk Talks Inspirations and Jokers
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Dec 9, 2024 LocalThunk, the creative mind behind the card-based roguelite Balatro, dives into his journey from childhood gamer to developer. He discusses how personal experiences shaped the unique Joker designs and the importance of community feedback in game mechanics like the innovative blind skip. The conversation also touches on ethical concerns regarding gambling-like mechanics, emphasizing the need for safety in gaming, while celebrating the blend of humor and nostalgia that influences his creative process.
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First Gaming Memory
- LocalThunk's first gaming memory is playing Midtown Madness as a child.
- He enjoyed the sandbox experience, not racing or campaigns.
Discovering Game Dev
- LocalThunk discovered game development in university through a computer science course.
- He switched from engineering to computer science after getting "totally hooked."
Early Projects
- LocalThunk's "Map Game", inspired by Europa Universalis, taught him the importance of obsession in game development.
- Another project, a digital Crokinole game, was his first foray into physics and AI.