LocalThunk, the solo developer behind the hugely successful indie game Balatro (3.5 million copies sold!), has declared Animal Well his 2024 Game of the Year. This accolade, humorously dubbed the "Golden Thunk" award, highlights Animal Well's "engrossing experience," "style," and "secrets," praising solo developer Billy Basso's "true masterpiece." Basso, in response, lauded LocalThunk as a "Nicest Most Humble Dev of the Year." The mutual admiration reflects a positive spirit within the indie game development community.

Balatro and Animal Well, both indie hits of 2024, share a similar trajectory of critical acclaim and player popularity. This mutual success prompted LocalThunk's public acknowledgment of Animal Well's achievement. The Twitter exchange generated positive fan comments celebrating the camaraderie between indie developers.

Beyond Animal Well, LocalThunk also shared his appreciation for several other 2024 indie titles, including Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, Arco, Nova Drift, Ballionaire, and Mouthwashing, highlighting specific aspects he enjoyed in each. The inclusion of Dungeons and Degenerate Gamblers, a fellow pixel art deck-building game created by a solo developer, is particularly noteworthy.

Despite Balatro's phenomenal success, LocalThunk continues to actively support the game with free updates. Three "Friends of Jimbo" updates have already introduced crossover content from popular IPs like Cyberpunk 2077, Among Us, and Dave the Diver. Further collaborations are hinted at, suggesting continued engagement with the gaming community.