The monumental success of Balatro in 2024 was a defining moment, profoundly impacting its solo developer, LocalThunk. However, as a single individual, LocalThunk has now announced that the highly anticipated 1.1 update for Balatro will not be released this year, pushing back its arrival indefinitely.
LocalThunk explained the reasons behind this delay in a comprehensive message posted on his official website, succinctly titled `I`m Slow.` He offered apologies to the player community for the postponement, clearly stating his commitment to avoid replicating the intense, 12-hour “crunch” periods he endured during Balatro`s initial launch phase. Instead, he prefers to approach game development as a cherished hobby rather than a demanding occupation.
“I still find joy in crafting my whimsical jokers,” LocalThunk shared. “My notebook is brimming with new concepts to integrate or test within the game, and fortunately, I still view this as my pastime. Yet, the thought of rushing the development and re-entering a crunch mode just to release it this year felt utterly disagreeable. I`m progressing slowly, and that`s how I prefer it. I relish delving into creative `rabbit holes` and dislike forcing the creative process.”
The developer also mentioned his recent personal achievement of completing 100% of the achievements in his own game, expressing excitement at the prospect of tackling that challenge again once the 1.1 update is fully implemented. He reassured fans that the update is certainly on its way, but underscored that it will only be launched when it is truly ready and polished.
Balatro has garnered significant critical acclaim, earning a spot among GameSpot`s best games of 2024. Its impressive list of accolades includes nominations and wins at prestigious events such as the 2025 DICE Awards, New York Game Awards 2025, and The Game Awards 2024, culminating in the esteemed Game of the Year title at the Game Developers Choice Awards.