In 2024, the indie game Balatro, developed by the solo creator known as LocalThunk, emerged as a groundbreaking success, selling over 5 million copies and shaking the gaming industry to its core. This unexpected hit not only captivated players but also swept several awards at The Game Awards 2024. Neither the players nor LocalThunk himself anticipated such a monumental achievement.

LocalThunk had initially set modest expectations for Balatro, given its unconventional concept. He believed the game would receive scores in the range of 6-7 points. However, the critical acclaim was far beyond what he had imagined. PC Gamer awarded Balatro a stellar 91, a score that other critics echoed, propelling the game to an impressive 90 points on both Metacritic and OpenCritic. LocalThunk admitted that he would have given his own project no more than an 8, making the high scores a complete surprise.

The publisher, Playstack, significantly contributed to the game's success through proactive engagement with the press before its release. Yet, it was the power of word of mouth that truly drove sales, exceeding initial forecasts by 10-20 times. In the first 24 hours on Steam, Balatro sold 119,000 copies, a moment LocalThunk described as the most surreal of his life.

Overwhelmed by the game's success, LocalThunk confessed that he has no universal formula to share with other indie developers, underscoring the unique and unpredictable nature of Balatro's triumph.