Mysterious Saskatchewan game developer creates internationally recognized video game

WATCH: A mysterious local game developer has created an internationally recognized video game. Angela Stewart has the story.

The rules are simple. Try and get the best poker hand.

“Got another full house here,” said Kaylor Coons, a player of the game “Balatro.”

It doesn’t stop there. Players can use the Joker cards to their advantage. The cards increase their chances of earning points.

Coons has been playing the game for six months and finds it very addictive.

“I think the game gives you really good dopamine hits. Getting the cards that work to make combos to make your score get even higher,” he said.

The game is believed to have been created on a spreadsheet by an IT developer somewhere here in Saskatchewan. He goes by the name “LocalThunk.”

“LocalThunk” declined an interview with CTV News but gaming journalist Brendan Sinclair with “The Logic” was able to chat with the creator earlier this year.

“He’d done a hobby game development for awhile, so he started bashing together this new version of a card game that he had in mind,” Sinclair said.

“Balatro” earned five awards at this years DICE Awards. He took home hardware for Strategy/Simulation Game of the Year, Outstanding Achievement for an Independent Game and Mobile Game of the Year.

Local experts said his success has helped to amplify the indie game development scene.

“One thing that ‘Balatro’ has been doing is they’ve actually been collaborating with other games to bring character into the game and kind of cross pollination of these different platforms kind of celebrating each other,” said Shaye Ruecker, the president and CEO of the Saskatchewan Esports Association.

The accolades continue to roll in, as “Balatro” is up for Game of the Year and is a nominee in three other categories at the 25th Annual Game Developers Choice Awards in March.

The creator is believed to be working on upgrades to the game all while continuing to remain incognito.

“He had made a conscious choice to try and stay humble, throughout the success. While it definitely has changed his life, he’s not trying to let it change every aspect of his life,” Sinclair said.