Key Points
– Balatro’s sales skyrocketed with five nominations for The Game Awards 2024.
– The game raked in $727,000 in just one week.
– It’s up for Best Game Direction, Best Mobile Game, and more, even contending for Game of the Year.
Since earning five nominations for the 2024 Game Awards, Balatro, an indie poker roguelike, has surged in popularity, drawing in over $700,000 during the week post-announcement. The game made its debut on PC and consoles in February and expanded to mobile by late September, amassing nearly $4.4 million across iOS and Android platforms.
Released in early 2024, Balatro quickly captured gamers’ attention with its engaging and accessible gameplay. Developed solo by LocalThunk, the game revolves around crafting poker hands to achieve certain point targets, integrating over 150 unique Joker cards to add special powers and multipliers. Its easy-to-pick-up nature makes it ideal for brief play sessions throughout the day. With its mix of monetary success and award nominations, Balatro continues to make waves as 2024 draws to a close.
Following its mobile release on September 26, Balatro has scored almost $4.4 million, recording $1 million in its initial week on Android and iOS. The flood of Game Awards nominations announced on November 18 has significantly boosted its sales, earning $727,000 in just one week. Nominated in categories such as Best Game Direction and Game of the Year, Balatro stands alongside major contenders like Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Black Myth: Wukong. The results will be revealed on December 12, sparking excitement among fans eager to see if this indie star clinches the award.
Balatro has undergone several updates since its launch, including a May patch which introduced additional Joker cards and new mechanics like Perishable and Rental Jokers. Its “Friends of Jimbo” updates have brought collaborations with other popular games, allowing players to customize their decks with characters from acclaimed titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, The Witcher 3, and Stardew Valley, among others. The developer, LocalThunk, is enthusiastic about exploring further collaborations down the line.
The game is gearing up for a significant update in 2025, though specific details remain under wraps. The free update is set to introduce fresh strategies and concepts as a gesture of gratitude towards the passionate Balatro community. As of August 2024, Balatro had sold over 2 million copies, solidifying its status as a high-performing indie game with no sign of halting its momentum.
