LocalThunk postpones Balatro update to avert "crunch mode"

The much-anticipated 1.1 update for Balatro has been put on hold indefinitely. The game's creator, LocalThunk, shared that they have returned to developing the game on a part-time basis, treating it as a hobby.

In a blog post titled "I'm Slow," published on September 12, 2025, LocalThunk announced that the update, which was initially slated for release in 2025, has been postponed. "I know, I announced that it would, but it has become clear now that it won’t happen by the end of the year, and I wanted to tell you all now," LocalThunk stated, expressing regret for not adhering to the initial timeline.

The developer admitted they should not have committed to a specific date for the upgrade. Since Balatro's public release in 2023, LocalThunk has experienced the pressures of professional game development, which persisted beyond the launch.

After the initial version, Balatro 1.0, launched in February 2024, LocalThunk quickly worked on a balance patch, released in August 2024, followed by a mobile version that premiered in September 2024. The intense schedule led to burnout.

"I took a break from everything to do with the game for a few months until the start of 2025, when I very slowly eased myself back into the work," the developer wrote, describing the gradual return to game development.

Currently, LocalThunk is choosing to work at a slower pace, akin to when the game was initially conceived as a personal project, dedicating a few hours daily rather than the exhaustive 12-hour days near launch. The developer now regards game creation as a hobby.

The slow, methodical pace allows for creative exploration without pressure. The developer expressed the importance of not rushing the process, emphasizing, "I have never, before Balatro, set a deadline for any of my creative projects and I now realize how important that is for my process."

They are intent on continuing work in a manner that fosters enthusiasm for the craft over the long term. "I don’t want 1.1 to be the last update this game gets," LocalThunk remarked, determining that the update will be completed when ready.

The developer remains committed to Balatro, having recently achieved all game achievements themselves and expressing eagerness to do it again once the 1.1 update is realized.

Originally released on February 24, 2024, Balatro has been a remarkable success for both LocalThunk and Playstack, its publisher. The deck-building roguelite grossed $1 million in the first eight hours post-launch and has earned several accolades, including Game of the Year at the 2025 Game Developers' Choice Awards and Best Debut Game at the 2025 BAFTA Game Awards.

Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack, praised the indie title for setting a new standard in the industry. Speaking with GamesIndustry.biz in May 2025, Elliott commented on how the game exemplifies the potential for impact, regardless of team size: "I think it's really shown, once again, [that] when great, highly captivating games come to market, it doesn't matter if it's made by one person or a hundred people."