The remarkable success of Balatro in 2024 has been a transformative experience for its solo developer, LocalThunk. However, despite previous announcements, LocalThunk has now confirmed that the much-anticipated 1.1 update for Balatro will not be released this year, taking an indefinite pause.
In a detailed message on his official website, LocalThunk explained the reasons behind the delay, succinctly titled `I`m Slow.` While expressing regret for the wait, he emphasized his firm commitment to preventing a return to the grueling `crunch` periods—such as the intense 12-hour workdays that preceded Balatro`s initial launch. He articulated a clear preference for treating game development as a fulfilling hobby rather than a high-pressure job.
“I still love drawing my silly jokers,” LocalThunk wrote. “I carry around a notebook that is now teeming with ideas to implement or test in the game, and thankfully I still consider this my hobby, but the prospect of rushing the work and going back into crunch mode to get it out this year just felt terrible. I am working slowly, but I like it that way. I love getting sucked into rabbit holes and I don`t like trying to force things creatively.”
LocalThunk further shared that he recently achieved 100% completion in his own game, sparking his excitement at the prospect of repeating that accomplishment once the 1.1 update is finalized. He reassured fans that the update is definitely coming, but underlined that it will only be launched when it truly meets his exacting standards of readiness, ensuring quality over speed.
Balatro has garnered significant critical acclaim, earning a spot among GameSpot`s top games of 2024. Its impressive array of accolades includes nominations and wins at major industry events such as the 2025 DICE Awards, New York Game Awards 2025, and The Game Awards 2024, notably culminating in the prestigious Game of the Year award at the Game Developers Choice Awards.