LocalThunk
LocalThunk business and news from across the web.
'Balatro' Plays Winning Hand at GDCA 2025, Receiving Game of the YearBalatro, the indie roguelike deckbuilder from solo developer LocalThunk, won Game of the Year at the 25th annual Game Developers Choice Awards. The game also secured wins for Best Debut, Best Design, and the Innovation Award. Other notable winners included Astro Bot for Best Audio and Best Technology, and Sam Lake received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Best Casino-Style Xbox Games to Play in 2026 (Without Spending Real Money)This guide highlights six Xbox and Game Pass titles that incorporate casino mechanics without requiring real money, focusing on elements like risk, math, and strategy. Games such as Balatro, Inscryption, and Luck be a Landlord are featured for their engaging gameplay loops and casino-inspired design.
Balatro Player Finally Hits 100% After Marathon Completion RunA player has achieved 100% completion in the indie roguelike game Balatro, a feat described as more impressive than many AAA platinum trophies. The game combines poker mechanics with complex joker interactions and modifiers, requiring significant dedication and mastery of its systems, including multiple difficulty levels and specific challenge runs.- ‘Balatro’ Is Coming to Apple Arcade and Also iOS as a Standalone Premium Release Beginning September 26th – TouchArcadeThe popular roguelike card game Balatro is launching on iOS, Android, and Apple Arcade on September 26th for $9.99. Developed by LocalThunk and published by Playstack, the game has already sold over 2 million units on PC and consoles. A major free update is planned for 2025.