A developer from Canada who goes by the name LocalThunk recently took a jab at the Pan-European Game Information (PEGI) system, critiquing its decision to slap an 18+ rating on his popular roguelike deck-builder, Balatro. Despite the hefty rating, LocalThunk finds humor in the situation, jesting on social media about potentially introducing real gambling mechanics, like those found in EA Sports FC 25—which amusingly has a PEGI 3 rating—to lower his game’s rating. PEGI rationalizes Balatro’s higher classification by citing its educational elements on poker mechanics, which may be associated with gambling.
LocalThunk, who operates as a solo developer in Canada and prefers to keep a low profile, has been quite vocal online since Balatro’s explosive entry into the gaming scene in early 2024. Despite deliberately steering clear of poker in his personal life, as he disclosed in a February 2024 chat with PC Gamer, LocalThunk has been frustrated by any insinuation that Balatro promotes gambling. He even went as far as to include a clause in his will that prevents Balatro’s intellectual property from ever being sold or licensed to gambling entities.
In a recent playful outburst on Twitter dated December 15, LocalThunk openly questioned the logic behind PEGI’s decision, pointing out the irony of EA’s kid-friendly football game harboring gambling elements. Through his humorous critique, he underscored the inconsistency in rating standards by humorously calling it “comedy.”
Interestingly, Balatro’s portrayal of poker doesn’t involve any actual wagering during gameplay. This distinction was crucial in ESRB’s classification, leading to a more lenient rating suitable for players aged 10 and above. Germany’s USK also assigned it a more moderate rating, making it accessible to gamers 12 and older.
This isn’t LocalThunk’s first complaint against PEGI’s assessment of his game. Earlier in the year, during a Reddit AMA, he labeled the rating process as both “unwarranted” and rather disappointing. Nevertheless, this seemingly excessive rating did not hinder Balatro’s commercial success. By mid-December 2024, the game had sold over 3.5 million units and emerged as a standout at The Game Awards, clinching three awards—tying with Metaphor: ReFantazio for the second-most wins of the event.
Sources: PC Gamer, LocalThunk / Twitter, ESRB, USK, LocalThunk / Reddit
Regarding Balatro itself, it’s a captivating blend of strategy and digital card game mechanics within a roguelike framework. The game invites players in with its exciting premise, merging the strategizing of poker hands with unique jokers to deliver vibrant synergies and builds. As you progress, your goal is to earn enough chips to overcome cunning obstacles, discover hidden bonuses, and adequately equip yourself for the ultimate showdown—a true test of skill and strategy. The journey promises many exhilarating twists as players aim for victory in this dynamic deck-building adventure.
