![[News] Balatro Dev](https://imgs.lxtop.com/uploads/89/1736153112677b98180ee84.jpg)
LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the incredibly successful indie game Balatro (which sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024), has declared Animal Well his "Game of the Year." This accolade, playfully dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights Animal Well's immersive gameplay, stylish presentation, and hidden secrets. LocalThunk specifically praised Billy Basso, Animal Well's solo developer, calling the game Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in response, lauded LocalThunk as a "Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year." This exchange exemplifies the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his appreciation for several other 2024 indie titles, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, highlighting specific aspects he enjoyed in each. The inclusion of Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, a fellow pixel art deck-building game created by a solo developer, is particularly noteworthy due to its thematic similarities with Balatro.
Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. Further collaborations, potentially with another top 2024 game, are also hinted at. This dedication to post-launch content underscores LocalThunk's commitment to player satisfaction.
