Solo developer LocalThunk has shared some new details on Balatro update 1.1, which has been in the works for quite some time although is still without a release date.
LocalThunk provided a lengthy statement on the new update, notably apologising for the fact it didn’t turn up last year as he had hoped, and in retrospect stated he “should have never given a release window.” As such, LocalThunk said that he isn’t going to give any concrete details about a launch window for the time being.
‘I’m happy the leaks are going over so well. I know you guys want to know as much as possible about 1.1 but I can’t give away too much. I know it’s taken a very long time and I’ve completely blown past the 2025 timeframe but I promise I’m cooking in the way that is both best for me and ultimately for the game.
Sorry about the 2025 thing, I never should have given a release window, especially when I’m the only guy working on it and there never really was any pressure to announce it. I understand how frustrating that must be and I wish I could go back in time and slap some sense into myself. At the time it was still go-go-go and I never even considered that I could allow myself to stop, then after mobile came out I was just so burnt out I couldn’t touch the game for a bit. Luckily things have changed.
I’ll pop in here every now and then to give you the whole ‘yes I’m still working on 1.1!’ message and possibly give a few more leaks, but I won’t give concrete details about a launch window. It’s entirely possible that after everything is completed, I want to scrap something large or expand on something (I feel like I already have). I don’t want this to be half baked and wreck Balatro, I love the game too and I want to play a fun game not a rushed botch job.
On the personal side, I truly am having the best time making the game now. This past year of dev has been probably the most fulfilling work I’ve ever done, including pre launch times when it was a little hobby project. I’m trying to keep offline as much as possible because that’s a recipe that works well for me but I’ll ease back in when 1.1 is ready to go.’
You can read a summary of the update below courtesy of the Balatro Reddit.
- A tier 2 voucher named “Lunker”
- The algorithm for picking the next voucher will bias Tier 2 a bit more. (Specifically, if you have N tier 1 vouchers of M incomplete voucher sets, you will have an N in M chance to get a tier 2 voucher at voucher draw time)
- New mechanic! “When a card is drawn to hand.” Triggers in rounds as well as Tarot and Spectral packs. E.g. you could have a joker: “Ace up your Sleeve”, “+1 Mult when an Ace is Drawn To Hand.”
- There will in fact be at least 4 new jokers (previously reported there were at least 2 new jokers)
- Blue stakes have been reworked (he had a previous blue stakes rework but switched to a new blue stakes a few months ago and he likes it a lot more and reports it fits much better)
- In the 1.1 update, blue stakes and joker reworks will always apply but a checkbox in the profile will enable new content (e.g. vouchers and jokers). Achievements will still be possible with 1.1 new content checked off
- Steam will have a 1.0 branch selectable after 1.1 for legacy mod support.
- No Balatro 1.2 planned. He truly expects to release 1.1.0 then 1.1.1 a few months later with bug fixes and balance tweaks and that will be it.
- No multiplayer version of Balatro planned
- He uses placeholder art while he works on the game (see smiley card)
- The pictured smiley joker is for a new joker called “Survey” that “does the thing with the face cards, you know”