Last year was a banner year for gaming, but one title that truly captivated both players and critics was the indie roguelike, Balatro. Developed by the solo developer LocalThunk, this game not only garnered critical acclaim but also achieved staggering commercial success, with sales soaring past 5 million copies.

The pace of Balatro's sales has been nothing short of phenomenal. Just over a month ago, LocalThunk celebrated hitting the 3.5 million mark. In an astonishing 40-day span, the game added another 1.5 million copies to its tally. This surge can likely be attributed to the 'The Game Awards effect,' a phenomenon hinted at by the developer in a recent tweet.

Harvey Elliott, the CEO of publisher Playstack, hailed this milestone as an incredible achievement, deserving of celebration. He expressed immense pride in the efforts of both Balatro's developer and the dedicated team at Playstack.

Even nearly a year after its release, Balatro shows no signs of slowing down. The card-based roguelike continues to thrive, bolstered by ongoing updates and exciting collaborations. Recently, it even set a new personal record for peak concurrent players on Steam, underscoring its enduring appeal and success in the gaming community.