In 2024, the indie game Balatro, crafted by the solo developer known as LocalThunk, emerged as a phenomenal success, selling over 5 million copies and shaking the gaming industry to its core. The game's unexpected rise to fame culminated in multiple awards at The Game Awards 2024, astonishing both players and its creator.

LocalThunk, who anticipated modest reviews around 6-7 points due to the game's unconventional concept, was taken aback when PC Gamer rated Balatro at 91. This high score was soon echoed by other critics, propelling the game to a stellar 90 points on both Metacritic and OpenCritic. LocalThunk himself admitted he would have capped his own project's rating at no more than 8 points, making the overwhelming success a complete surprise.

The publisher, Playstack, contributed significantly to this triumph by actively engaging with the press prior to the game's release. However, it was the power of word of mouth that truly propelled Balatro's sales, surpassing initial forecasts by a staggering 10-20 times. The game sold 119,000 copies within the first 24 hours of its Steam release, 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, emphasizing the unique and unpredictable nature of Balatro's journey to the top.