[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:00.34,0:00:01.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Balatro!
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.24,0:00:03.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s the hot new indie darling.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:03.66,0:00:06.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It shifted\Na million copies in a month,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.23,0:00:09.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it’s been streamed\Nby pretty much everyone on Twitch,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.42,0:00:13.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it’s one of the top-rated games of 2024 so far.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:13.82,0:00:14.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ve also played it...
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.13,0:00:16.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,quite a bit.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.27,0:00:19.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, this game has,\Naccording to its own designer,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:19.97,0:00:22.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a “fundamental design flaw”.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:23.35,0:00:27.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A “cursed problem” that the designer has been\Nunable to solve.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.46,0:00:29.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Let me explain.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:30.28,0:00:33.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,First, if you somehow haven’t\Nplayed Balatro,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.34,0:00:36.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it’s a card game about trying\Nto find poker hands
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.36,0:00:37.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in order to score points.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:38.00,0:00:40.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Better hands score bigger points.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:40.11,0:00:41.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But on top of that,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.58,0:00:45.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you can do all sorts of wily tricks\Nto boost your score.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.38,0:00:47.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Special cards rack up more points.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:47.80,0:00:51.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Crazy joker cards change\Nthe rules of the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:51.37,0:00:54.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can stack your deck,\Nor toss away cards,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.57,0:00:57.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to make certain hands more happenable.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.64,0:00:59.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s a really fun game.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.55,0:01:04.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A sublime, synergistic slot machine\Nthat feels fun to play,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.29,0:01:06.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and is even more fun to break.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.21,0:01:08.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s also really elegantly designed
Dialogue: 0,0:01:08.79,0:01:11.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with its clean UI,\Nstraightforward concept,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:11.39,0:01:12.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and, well,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:12.60,0:01:17.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just how much depth has been squeezed\Nout of a few key systems.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.36,0:01:20.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But there’s one…\Ninteresting design choice in there.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.78,0:01:21.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it’s this:
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.79,0:01:25.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the game doesn’t tell you\Nhow many points you’re going to score
Dialogue: 0,0:01:25.54,0:01:27.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before you play your hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.40,0:01:31.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You simply pick your cards,\Ncross your fingers, and hit go.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.18,0:01:35.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, this would be really\Nquite helpful information.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:35.86,0:01:39.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It could tell you to play one hand\Nover another.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.42,0:01:42.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It could tell you if you’re about to\Nscrape past the ante
Dialogue: 0,0:01:43.09,0:01:45.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or miss it by a few points.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.19,0:01:48.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It could tell you if you’re about\Nto win the entire game
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.53,0:01:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or lose the whole thing\Nand have to start from scratch.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.93,0:01:52.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And yet…
Dialogue: 0,0:01:52.64,0:01:57.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Balatro doesn’t give you a,\Nlet’s call it a "score preview".
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.30,0:02:02.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Of course, this was\Nan entirely intentional design choice.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.70,0:02:06.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,LocalThunk, the game’s anonymous\NCanadian designer,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.36,0:02:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,has explained that, for him,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:08.06,0:02:13.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the joy of Balatro lives in\Nthat precise moment I just described.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:13.50,0:02:15.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you cross your fingers\Nand hit play.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.98,0:02:18.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When you’ve set up\Nyour point-scoring engine
Dialogue: 0,0:02:18.85,0:02:21.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and hope that it will\Nbring home the bacon.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:21.52,0:02:26.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,LocalThunk says: “My personal belief is\Nthat the game is more fun when you set up
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.20,0:02:29.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your Rube Goldberg machine\Nand watch it go
Dialogue: 0,0:02:29.23,0:02:32.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,before knowing whether or not\Nthe hand will win the round.”
Dialogue: 0,0:02:33.34,0:02:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And Balatro totally plays into this!
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.02,0:02:39.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s so much hype and pageantry\Nafter playing your hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:40.06,0:02:43.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The numbers tick up,\Nwith escalating sound effects.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.28,0:02:46.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Each card and joker steps forward\Nin turn
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.47,0:02:48.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to add their points to the total.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:48.48,0:02:51.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If you’re lucky,\Nthe score multiplier will set on fire
Dialogue: 0,0:02:52.05,0:02:54.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and start to burn hotter and hotter
Dialogue: 0,0:02:54.45,0:02:56.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with each multiplication.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.54,0:02:59.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, if you already knew\Nhow many points you were going to get.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:59.89,0:03:03.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,If a bit of UI had\Npre-calculated the score
Dialogue: 0,0:03:03.39,0:03:06.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and told you that you were going to\Nwin the ante with this hand…
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.75,0:03:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,well none of that would matter.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:08.11,0:03:10.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it would just get in the way.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:10.81,0:03:13.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is not the only reason\Nto forgo a score preview, mind.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.08,0:03:16.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It would also add cruft to the UI,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:16.36,0:03:20.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially when you need to account\Nfor cards that have random properties.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.40,0:03:25.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,How do you elegantly show\Na range of possible scores?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.35,0:03:26.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It would slow the game down,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:27.12,0:03:30.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,incentivising players to check\Nevery possible hand
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.36,0:03:32.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to find\Nthe highest-scoring combination.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:32.67,0:03:34.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And it would change the entire feel,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.77,0:03:37.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,from a chill game about\Nvibing with cards
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.82,0:03:41.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to a stern spreadsheet-style\Nstrategy game.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:41.68,0:03:45.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so this is a totally legit\Ngame design decision, right?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:46.15,0:03:47.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Every game designer has to choose
Dialogue: 0,0:03:47.95,0:03:50.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how much information\Nto give to the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.40,0:03:53.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, should you show\Na boss’s health bar,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.56,0:03:55.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or keep it hidden?
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.71,0:03:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Should enemies come\Nup with their strategies in secret,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:58.37,0:04:01.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or should their intent be explained\Nto the player?
Dialogue: 0,0:04:01.54,0:04:04.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I’ve explored in\Nvarious other videos,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.29,0:04:06.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how much information\Na player has
Dialogue: 0,0:04:06.30,0:04:10.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,will change their behaviour,\Nand change the way the game feels.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.78,0:04:15.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so, Balatro hides its score preview\Nto make players act more quickly
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.77,0:04:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and to create\Na feeling of suspense and drama
Dialogue: 0,0:04:18.78,0:04:20.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whenever you play a hand.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.36,0:04:22.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,LocalThunk had an experience in mind
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.95,0:04:24.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and picked mechanics\Nthat would nudge players
Dialogue: 0,0:04:25.09,0:04:26.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,towards that feeling.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:26.67,0:04:28.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A smart design choice.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.89,0:04:29.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,However!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:30.02,0:04:33.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Balatro is not like those other games\NI just showed.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:33.67,0:04:37.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because while the score preview is\Nhidden from the player…
Dialogue: 0,0:04:37.70,0:04:41.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the information is still\Ntechnically available!
Dialogue: 0,0:04:41.34,0:04:44.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because you can just…\Nyou can just calculate it yourself.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:44.44,0:04:48.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, like…. a straight is worth\N30 chips and 4 mult.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.26,0:04:51.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,These cards are going to add an extra
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.54,0:04:55.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,10, 20, 30, 39, 47 chips,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:55.21,0:04:58.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then the two face cards will add\Nanother 30 each
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.85,0:04:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thanks to this joker.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.86,0:05:02.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So that’s 137 chips times 4…
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.47,0:05:04.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,548.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:05.12,0:05:07.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Not quite enough to beat the ante,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.16,0:05:07.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but close.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:08.24,0:05:10.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so,\Nif information in a game can be
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.02,0:05:12.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hidden, or visible…
Dialogue: 0,0:05:13.00,0:05:16.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Balatro’s score preview falls\Ninto a weird half category:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.27,0:05:21.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hidden, but attainable\Nif you really want it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:21.38,0:05:25.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that’s the fundamental design flaw\Nat the heart of Balatro.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:25.52,0:05:28.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The designer wants the excitement\Nof a slot machine,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:28.98,0:05:31.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but also the numerical predicability
Dialogue: 0,0:05:31.50,0:05:32.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of an Excel spreadsheet.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:33.06,0:05:35.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so the only way\Nto square that circle
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.97,0:05:40.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is to hope that players won’t bother\Nto calculate the final score.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:40.96,0:05:44.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, if we go back to\Nthat timeless Soren Johnson quote:
Dialogue: 0,0:05:45.05,0:05:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“Given the opportunity,\Nplayers will optimize the fun out of a game.”
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.17,0:05:52.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It shouldn’t be surprising that\Na number of Balatro players
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.54,0:05:55.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are playing the game with the calculator app\Nopen on their phone,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.96,0:05:59.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or with a spreadsheet\Nset up on a second monitor,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:59.17,0:06:01.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or with Steam’s in-game overlay
Dialogue: 0,0:06:01.39,0:06:05.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,showing a bespoke website\Nthat calculates Balatro hands.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:05.68,0:06:10.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, actually this is exactly why\NBalatro has a deck view.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.84,0:06:13.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,During playtesting,\Nthe game did not show you
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.66,0:06:15.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,which cards were left in your deck.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:15.90,0:06:20.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, playtesters could technically\Nget that information
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.26,0:06:22.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by tracking which cards\Nhad already been played.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:22.96,0:06:24.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And after polling users,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:24.64,0:06:27.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,LocalThunk found\Nthat many were doing just that
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.79,0:06:30.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,even though it really wasn’t much fun.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:30.11,0:06:33.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So he added\Na powerful deck peek feature.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.58,0:06:36.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But a score preview felt different.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:36.32,0:06:39.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It felt like it encroached upon\Nthe DNA of the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:39.99,0:06:42.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It stepped on the stuff\Nthat made Balatro…
Dialogue: 0,0:06:42.55,0:06:43.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Balatro.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:43.58,0:06:45.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so,\Nwhile the designer is empathetic
Dialogue: 0,0:06:45.59,0:06:48.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to people who wish to\Nplay more strategically.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:48.42,0:06:52.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And is bummed out that\Nthe optimum way to play involves busywork,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.07,0:06:56.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and doing calculations\Noutside of the game,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:56.32,0:06:59.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,he worries that adding\Na score preview would spoil the fun
Dialogue: 0,0:07:00.00,0:07:02.03,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for those who wish to play\Nmore casually.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:02.34,0:07:03.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that’s totally true!
Dialogue: 0,0:07:04.11,0:07:08.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Making a game better for one group\Ncan make it worse for another.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:08.64,0:07:12.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As a designer, you need to be certain\Nwho the game is for
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.24,0:07:16.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then protect that player base\Nfrom certain design decisions.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:16.52,0:07:20.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even if that design decision is provided\Nmerely as an option.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:20.70,0:07:24.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Speaking on the Eggplant podcast,\NLocalThunk says:
Dialogue: 0,0:07:24.32,0:07:26.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“If I add an option\Nto have this score preview,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:26.86,0:07:28.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,people are just going to click on it,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.77,0:07:32.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and they're not going to experience\Nthe game that I wanted to create.”
Dialogue: 0,0:07:32.34,0:07:36.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And besides, should a designer even have\Nto endorse an option
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.72,0:07:39.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that directly goes against\Ntheir intentions for the game?
Dialogue: 0,0:07:39.94,0:07:43.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,LocalThunk has been clear\Nthat he made the game for himself
Dialogue: 0,0:07:43.49,0:07:46.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and isn’t interested in changing the game for other people.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:46.93,0:07:49.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Even if there are a million of them.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:50.59,0:07:52.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, here’s the rub.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:52.27,0:07:54.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s one thing to make\Na bold design choice
Dialogue: 0,0:07:54.64,0:07:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then stand by it, for\Nthe betterment of the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:58.40,0:08:01.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,To shun the haters\Nand stick by your design.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.48,0:08:03.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But that doesn’t really work
Dialogue: 0,0:08:03.93,0:08:07.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,if there’s a way for players\Nto find a way around your choice,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:07.79,0:08:10.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,no matter how tedious\Nthat loophole might be.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:11.02,0:08:12.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we know this!
Dialogue: 0,0:08:12.15,0:08:15.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because this is not the first time\Nthis has happened to a game.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:16.02,0:08:18.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact, it’s not even the first time\Nit’s happened
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.75,0:08:21.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to an extremely popular roguelike.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:21.27,0:08:23.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Enter The Binding of Isaac.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.78,0:08:26.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So this basement-dwelling\Ndungeon crawler
Dialogue: 0,0:08:26.25,0:08:28.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is packed with powerful\Nitems and upgrades…
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.05,0:08:31.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but the game doesn’t tell you\Nwhat they do.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:32.06,0:08:33.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They just have a name,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.11,0:08:35.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or a cryptic tagline,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:35.100,0:08:38.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or maybe just three question marks.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:38.94,0:08:41.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game’s designer, Edmund McMillen,\Ndid this on purpose
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.84,0:08:43.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to create\Na feeling of mystery,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:44.04,0:08:47.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,similar to the sensation he got\Nwhen playing games as a kid
Dialogue: 0,0:08:47.13,0:08:49.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like the original Legend of Zelda.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:49.49,0:08:51.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,He described that game by saying:
Dialogue: 0,0:08:51.28,0:08:54.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,“You weren't sure what things did\Nuntil you experimented with them,
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.72,0:08:56.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and you had to brainstorm\Nwith your friends
Dialogue: 0,0:08:56.50,0:08:59.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and put all your findings together\Nin order to progress.”
Dialogue: 0,0:09:00.15,0:09:03.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so to mimic\Nthat mysterious sensation in Isaac,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:03.41,0:09:06.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the items are deliberately left\Nunexplained.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:06.27,0:09:08.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’ll need to pick things up,\Ntry them,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:08.85,0:09:10.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and puzzle out their properties.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:10.94,0:09:14.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Finding a new item\Nshould lead to curiosity,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:14.28,0:09:16.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,experimentation, and surprise.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:17.22,0:09:18.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And that worked…
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.68,0:09:20.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for about five seconds.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:20.60,0:09:23.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then people figured out\Nwhat all the items did
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.15,0:09:26.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and put that information up on wikis\Nand other websites.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:26.60,0:09:29.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Want to know what\Nthis weird little thing will do?
Dialogue: 0,0:09:29.41,0:09:31.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Just find it on Platinum God
Dialogue: 0,0:09:31.47,0:09:33.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and mouse over it\Nfor a full description.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:34.15,0:09:35.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, like Balatro,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.77,0:09:39.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,McMillen chose to hide information\Nto create a certain feeling.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:39.52,0:09:42.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But because that information is\Ntechnically attainable
Dialogue: 0,0:09:42.56,0:09:45.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this time with a Google search\Nrather than a spreadsheet,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:45.34,0:09:47.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a number of players ended up\Nplaying the game
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.50,0:09:50.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in a completely different way\Nthan the designer intended.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:50.75,0:09:52.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Arguably, a worse way.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:52.82,0:09:56.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And so after multiple DLC packs\Nwhich added hundreds of new pick-ups,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:57.12,0:09:58.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this has become, basically,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:59.17,0:10:02.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the defacto way to play\NThe Binding of Isaac.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:02.58,0:10:04.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,McMillen says:\N“People would always say,
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.55,0:10:07.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,'You can't play Isaac\Nwithout a browser open on your phone.'
Dialogue: 0,0:10:07.61,0:10:10.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I hated that that's how everyone played\Nfor so long...
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.70,0:10:11.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and still play."
Dialogue: 0,0:10:12.31,0:10:15.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In fact,\Nhe’s described the lack of item descriptions
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.27,0:10:17.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,as the biggest flaw\Nwith Binding of Isaac.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:18.15,0:10:20.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This design choice has\Nbasically haunted him
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.52,0:10:22.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the years since Isaac’s release.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:22.63,0:10:25.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in a post in 2023,\NMcMillen has said
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.51,0:10:28.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that he’s considering finally adding\Nitem descriptions
Dialogue: 0,0:10:28.32,0:10:30.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,into the game as an optional feature.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.68,0:10:33.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Perhaps deciding that it’s better\Nto support them officially
Dialogue: 0,0:10:33.46,0:10:35.59,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than players having a worse time\Nwith your game
Dialogue: 0,0:10:35.77,0:10:37.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because of the way you designed it.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.36,0:10:42.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I wonder if something similar\Nmight happen with Balatro.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:42.50,0:10:45.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, I don’t think the two examples are\Nexactly the same.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:45.74,0:10:49.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I agree that Balatro is more fun to play\Nwithout score previews
Dialogue: 0,0:10:49.61,0:10:52.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and I’ve never once thought\Nto pre-calculate a score
Dialogue: 0,0:10:53.07,0:10:55.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the 30-odd hours\NI’ve played the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:55.37,0:10:58.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This issue only really affects\Na small portion
Dialogue: 0,0:10:58.17,0:11:02.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of the game’s most hardcore,\Nstrategy-minded audience.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:02.31,0:11:06.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But over time,\Nas the game’s long tail stretches out,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:06.23,0:11:09.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think this decision might come\Nto haunt the developer,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:09.42,0:11:11.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,just like Isaac’s item descriptions.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:11.74,0:11:13.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, if you’re watching LocalThunk,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.97,0:11:17.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think there are ways to provide this\Nas an option to these players…
Dialogue: 0,0:11:17.59,0:11:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without spoiling the game\Nfor everyone else.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:20.47,0:11:23.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For one, a score preview is only needed
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.49,0:11:26.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by players who are incredibly invested\Nin the game,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:26.76,0:11:29.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so the option could be granted\Nas a late-game unlock,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:30.10,0:11:32.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and not as something\Nyou can switch on from the word go.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:33.04,0:11:37.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Kinda like how Chrono Cross has\Na fast-forward button,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:37.67,0:11:40.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it only unlocks\Nafter you’ve beaten the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:40.52,0:11:43.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The option could also be\Nclearly communicated to the player,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:43.95,0:11:47.08,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like how Celeste prefaces\Nits powerful assist mode
Dialogue: 0,0:11:47.39,0:11:50.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with a message that explains\Nwho this option is for.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.55,0:11:54.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or how Heat Signature politely asks you\Nto not turn off Permadeath,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:54.49,0:11:56.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,please, it’s there for a reason.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:56.95,0:11:59.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or Balatro could open itself up\Nto mods,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:00.02,0:12:03.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so users can hack\Ntheir own score preview into the game,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.48,0:12:06.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without the developer needing to\Nofficially support it.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:06.48,0:12:08.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is actually what\Nhappened to Isaac.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.19,0:12:13.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The ‘External Item Descriptions’ mod is\Nthe most popular Isaac add-on
Dialogue: 0,0:12:13.48,0:12:17.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the game’s Steam workshop,\Nwith almost 2 million subscribers.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:17.53,0:12:19.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That’s not great for console players,\Nthough.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:19.52,0:12:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So it could instead be provided\Nas a cheat code,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:22.32,0:12:25.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so players have to actively seek\Nthis thing out,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:25.45,0:12:29.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rather than stumble onto it\Nas an innocuous option in the menu.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.36,0:12:32.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As I’ve discussed in my\Nvideos about accessibility,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:32.69,0:12:36.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,there are plenty of ways\Nto open a game up to a wider audience,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:36.50,0:12:40.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,without necessarily spoiling it\Nfor the target group of players.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:40.98,0:12:43.02,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whatever LocalThunk decides to do,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:43.09,0:12:46.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this has proven to be\Na fascinating game design case study.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.96,0:12:49.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,About how you can change\Nhow a game feels,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:49.42,0:12:52.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by changing how much information\Nyou give to the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:52.29,0:12:55.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,About how players won’t always act\Nin the way you want them to,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.79,0:12:58.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,especially if you\Nleave open a loophole.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:58.62,0:13:01.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And about how the best intentions\Nin game design
Dialogue: 0,0:13:01.28,0:13:02.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,sometimes have to change,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.05,0:13:06.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,when you see how players\Nactually interact with your game.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:06.99,0:13:10.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’ll be curious to see\Nwhat happens with Balatro.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:10.40,0:13:13.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For now, check out this video\Non heads-up displays,
Dialogue: 0,0:13:13.56,0:13:15.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,where I talk more\Nabout how information can change
Dialogue: 0,0:13:15.71,0:13:18.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the way a player acts and feels.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:18.54,0:13:20.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Thanks for watching.