Balatro's Early Demo Security Flaw Turned Marketing Challenge Into Success

The roguelike deckbuilder overcame a cracked demo and unconventional design to sell over 3 million units and win multiple Game Awards.

The original 2023 demo of Balatro had a major security flaw that allowed players to unlock the full game using Windows Notepad.
Playstack quickly responded by releasing a more secure and polished demo in September 2023, effectively addressing the issue.
Balatro faced significant marketing challenges due to its unconventional visuals and mechanics, which were difficult to showcase through traditional trailers or screenshots.
Word-of-mouth marketing and a playable demo helped the game gain traction, leading to critical acclaim and commercial success.
With over 3 million units sold, Balatro's first major update is planned for 2025, prioritizing quality over speed in its development.