If there is a great indie game this year that has managed to outperform larger competitors in budget and scope, it’s Balatro. The game by LocalThunk, a poker roguelike as hypnotic as it is addictive, is considered by many to be one of the best of the year, and in fact is the highest-rated game of 2024 on Steam with a 97% positive ratings. This high rating has led to it being nominated for three Golden Joystick Awards in 2024, something that, while it has pleased its creator, he believes we should vote for another indie instead.
Although we are still a bit far from the “best of the year” lists, the first award ceremonies have begun to set their gears in motion and the Golden Joystick Awards 2024 have opened the gates. This British award ceremony, which will take place on November 21, 2024 and has 42 years of tradition, is known for being based solely on player voting, opening a one-month voting period until November 1 for the general categories, and just four days for the UGOTY, a category limited to the best of the year.
In this case, we don’t yet know which games will enter this select group, but Balatro has already received three nominations for Best Sound Design, PC GOTY, and Best Indie Game, demonstrating its impact in the independent gaming scene. A triple nomination it shares with Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, Animal Well, and Arco, with the latter being the focus of this news.
LocalThunk Prefers Us to Focus on Arco
The RPG Arco, a direct competitor of Balatro in the Best Indie Game category, has received praise for its turn-based strategy and Mesoamerican setting. With an impressive 97% favorable reviews based on 650 opinions, Arco has garnered extremely positive user reviews, standing out for its immersive narrative and strategic gameplay system, echoing the opinion of Localthunk.
Click on the image to access the post on Twitter
Although Localthunk has made it clear that he greatly appreciates the nominations, the author praised the unique qualities of Arco, inviting Balatro followers to vote for this gaming experience instead of his own. “Public voting is open, but I implore you to try/vote for the amazing Arco that was also nominated today. A gem that truly deserves it,” the author added on Twitter.
This unique gesture highlights the camaraderie and respect among independent developers, who, beyond competition, share a deep appreciation for creativity and diversity in the gaming industry. Furthermore, although Localthunk did not mention it, it is understood that the success of Balatro, which has just been released on mobile and physical formats, has already given it a huge status and equally important publicity, so awards like this could do the same for games like Arco.
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