307. How Balatro Became a 7-Million-Copy Indie Hit | Harvey Elliott, CEO of Playstack

Deconstructor of Fun

A one-person poker roguelike sold seven million copies and outperformed studios with hundred-million-dollar budgets. In this episode, Playstack CEO Harvey Elliott joins Michail Katkoff to break down how they discovered Balatro, what makes a modern indie publisher truly valuable, and why the next wave of hits will come from focus—not funding.

02:07 Understanding Bellatro's Success: Metrics and Engagement
04:50 The Indie Developer vs. Publisher Dynamic
08:11 Finding the Right Fit: Indie Publishers and Developers
17:20 Standing Out in a Crowded Market: Indie Publishing Strategies
23:22 AI in Game Development: Opportunities and Challenges
33:26 Post-Launch Support: Keeping Games Alive
38:15 Creative Game Integrations and Developer Relationships
41:05 Royalty Structures and Developer Support
47:09 Negotiating Publisher Agreements and Revenue Shares
50:41 Funding Models and Developer Financial Security
56:27 Budgeting for Indie Games and Financial Viability