Balatro won three trophies, including Best Independent Game, at The Game Awards 2024. [Image: Balatro]

2024 has been a year beyond the wildest dreams of localthunk, the developer of the poker-based roguelike deckbuilder video game Balatro. On Thursday night, Balatro nabbed three trophies at The Game Awards, the industry’s most prestigious awards ceremony.

Held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, The Game Awards 2024 featured the best and brightest from the video game, music, and entertainment worlds.

While Balatro may have been a surprise hit, its success at The Game Awards was not, as it swept the three categories that most expected it to: Best Independent Game, Best Debut Indie Game, and Best Mobile Game.

Balatro was also up for Game of the Year, an astounding achievement, considering it was made by just a single person and was up against AAA titles developed by huge studios. Astro Bot, developed by Team Asobi, which is owned by PlayStation Studios, took the well-deserved trophy for Game of the Year.

Anyone know where to buy a sturdy trophy shelf? Asking for a friend.”

localthunk is not one for the spotlight; Wouter van Halderen and Liz Cheng-Moore of Balatro’s publisher Playstack accepted the awards on his behalf. He is active on social media, though, tweeting this morning: “Anyone know where to buy a sturdy trophy shelf? Asking for a friend.”

Balatro was released on February 20, 2024 and has sold over 3.5 million copies. It is available on Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and mobile (Android and Apple).