Balatro, the dangerously addictive poker-like from anonymous indie dev LocalThunk, has sold over five million copies, raking in millions of dalloars in revenue, over $4.5 million earned on mobile alone. In addition to multiple GotY nominations, Balatro enjoys one of the most fanatical, devoted fanbases we’ve yet observed; despite it all, fame and fortune haven’t changed the life of its creator much.
In an interview with Bloomberg (thanks, TheGamer), the famously private developer revealed that he was able to quit his day job in IT and purchased a house for himself and his partner. Aside from a little travel, however, the great work of Balatro must go on:
“It’s been a lot of stress, but very fulfilling, being able to walk on something that I love all day, every day, as long as I want. We’d been living below our means anyway when I had that IT job, so our lifestyle hasn’t changed all that much. I travel a little more so I can visit friends. I’m just trying to be responsible right now with anything. I still have a job to do.”
So what does the future hold? Balatro’s 1.1 update is in the works, but LocalThunk says, “It’s healthier for the game that I keep my cards close to my chest” regarding the details. Beyond that, he doesn’t have “any imminent game ideas” and will continue working on the title that changed his life forever. In the grand tradition of the greatest indie devs, he wants to give back to the community that made it all possible.