Balatro dev "disappointed" actual gambling games "aren't rated the same way" after ratings boards grilled the roguelike for gambling mechanics that don't exist

GamesRoguelikeBalatroBalatro dev “disappointed” actual gambling games “aren’t rated the same way” after ratings boards grilled the roguelike for gambling mechanics that don’t existWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

GamesRoguelikeBalatroBalatro dev “disappointed” actual gambling games “aren’t rated the same way” after ratings boards grilled the roguelike for gambling mechanics that don’t existWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Playstack)

Balatro

The solo dev behind the indie poker roguelike Balatro is disappointed over how games with “actual gambling mechanics” are given age ratings, after seeing their own game’s rating skyrocket due to gambling-related concerns. This came despite the fact that Balatro doesn’t actually feature gambling, and the developer is strictly against it.

Developer Localthunk elaborated on the age rating saga during a recent Reddit “ask me anything” session, saying they still firmly believe the decision to raise Balatro’s age rating in certain regions is “unwarranted.”

While being taken off stores temporarily was hardly ideal for an indie game which was peaking in popularity, thankfully, it’s still been incredibly successful, and even reached500,000 copies sold in just 10 days.

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

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1

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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

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5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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