Goodbye to Balatro’s free DLC in 2025: its creator will release it “when it’s done”

The free Balatro DLC is taking its time. A few days ago, the game’s official X account hinted that a big announcement was in the works, so many of us understandably assumed it was about the free expansion, announced for sometime in 2025. However, when the reveal turned out to be a set of official pins and magnets, many fans were disappointed. This led LocalThunk, the game’s creator, to retract the original announcement and clarify that the DLC will not arrive in 2025, but rather when it is finished.

LocalThunk, the creator of Balatro, clears up doubts about its free DLC: it won’t arrive in 2025, but when it’s finished

On September 12, LocalThunk, the creator of Balatro, clarified the numerous doubts raised about the eagerly awaited free expansion of the popular indie video game. This publication also served as an apology for the expectations generated a few days earlier, when it was implied that the DLC would arrive very soon... but which turned out to be a teaser for new merchandise related to the game. Broadly speaking, the developer admits to having been overly ambitious with his 2025 date for the expansion, so the DLC remains undated beyond “it’s done when it’s done.”

“The promised 2025 Balatro 1.1 update isn’t going to come out in 2025. I know, I announced that it would, but it has become clear now that it won’t happen by the end of the year and I wanted to tell you all now. I feel bad for not keeping that promise, and I am sorry,“ begins the post in question. ”Balatro 1.1 will still come out, of that I am certain, but the new timeline is going to be it’s done when it’s done. It will be a free update for everyone on all platforms when it’s ready,” the post states. Although some fans have been visibly disappointed, the general reaction has been one of understanding and empathy towards the developer.

At the time, this DLC was announced as “The first major gameplay update is coming to Balatro,” and as such, we can expect new gameplay mechanics to be added in the form of new wildcards, card seals, or even new card types beyond steel and glass. There could also be new challenges that will test both our patience and our knowledge of the game. “This update will bring new ideas and strategies to the game and as a token of huge appreciation to the game’s brilliant and passionate community, the update will be completely free,” read the original announcement on August 7, 2024.

With its simple but hugely addictive concept, Balatro garnered outstanding reviews, million-dollar sales, and won numerous game of the year awards, including the 2024 BAFTA for Best Debut Game. Its premise couldn’t be simpler: using the classic poker scoring system, we must beat increasingly demanding scores, while cheating with wild cards and other accessories that multiply our score or modify the behavior of our deck in ways as absurd as they are unexpected.

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