LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the hugely successful indie game Balatro, has declared Animal Well his Game of the Year for 2024. Balatro, a deck-building game, sold over 3.5 million copies in 2024, receiving critical acclaim and player praise. However, LocalThunk singled out Animal Well, another indie hit developed by Billy Basso of Shared Memory, for its "engrossing experience," unique style, and hidden secrets, calling it Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso responded by affectionately calling LocalThunk one of the nicest and most humble developers of the year. This exchange highlights the positive camaraderie within the indie game development community.
This mutual appreciation wasn't limited to just Animal Well. LocalThunk also shared several other 2024 favorites, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, providing brief commentary on each. Interestingly, Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, like Balatro, is a pixel art deck-building game created by a solo developer.
Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. Further collaborations are hinted at, suggesting continued engagement with the gaming community.
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