The anonymous developer of Balatro, known as LocalThunk, has once again sidestepped the spotlight—this time by sending Final Fantasy 16 voice actor Ben Starr to accept the game’s BAFTA award in full Joker regalia. The surreal moment, initially reported by Dexerto as "a man dressed as a joker" accepting the award, ignited a wave of fan backlash and humor across social media, with many defending Starr’s legacy while celebrating the developer’s eccentric anonymity.

The Joker’s Podium Speech

Starr, who voiced Clive in Final Fantasy 16 and starred as the live-action clown "Jimbo" in Balatro’s viral trailer, leaned into the absurdity during his acceptance speech:

"This is weird, isn’t it? For those of you who aren’t chronically online, this might be a rather confusing—and at first glance, suspiciously arousing—moment."

He quipped about his minimal involvement ("a bit of sucking on a banana for a few seconds") and joked that LocalThunk—now "really rich" with "shoes made of gold"—had outsourced the award collection to maintain secrecy.

Fan Outrage and Memes

The vague descriptor "a man" sparked outrage among Starr’s fans, who highlighted his prolific career. Social media erupted with reactions:

• "Calling Ben Starr ‘a man’ is like calling Shakespeare ‘some guy who wrote plays.’"
• "Plot twist: LocalThunk is the Joker, and this is all a meta-game." Others applauded the stunt as fitting Balatro’s irreverent tone, with one user noting: "The Joker bit is peak Balatro—chaotic, cheeky, and utterly original."

Why LocalThunk Stays Hidden

The developer’s team clarified that anonymity isn’t a gimmick but a preference for creative freedom. Playstack’s communications director, Wout van Haldren, stated: "He just wants to be left alone to make his game and live his life." LocalThunk, a former IT worker, initially created Balatro as a hobby project inspired by Luck Be a Landlord and Cantonese card games.

Despite selling 3.5 million copies and winning multiple Game of the Year awards, LocalThunk’s only public presence remains a blog and cryptic updates—like teasing Balatro’s 1.1 patch with zero fanfare.

The Bigger Picture

The incident underscores gaming’s evolving relationship with celebrity. While some devs, like Hades’ Greg Kasavin, embrace visibility, others—like Dwarf Fortress’ Tarn Adams—prioritize privacy. LocalThunk’s approach, amplified by Starr’s theatrics, turns anonymity into a statement: artistry doesn’t require a face.

Final Word: As Balatro’s updates loom, one question lingers—will the next award be accepted by a sock puppet? Fans are betting on "yes."