2024’s indie gaming title Balatro has found its way into the cultural mainstream with a surprise appearance in Netflix’s popular dystopian series Black Mirror.
The poker-inspired roguelike game features prominently in “Hotel Reverie,” which is the third episode of the newly released 7th season. It shares screen time with stars Issa Rae, Awkwafina, Emma Corrin, and Harriet Walter.
For fans of both the game and the show, this crossover is more than a simple Easter egg. It is a sign of Balatro’s staying power. The game has since enjoyed a meteoric rise, which quietly debuted at the start of 2024.
It wins Indie Game of the Year from Insider Gaming Community. Also, it clinched a coveted BAFTA for Debut Game just days before the Black Mirror season drop.
However, this appearance is not entirely random. Charlie Brooker, the show’s creator, revealed in an August 2024 interview with Deadline that he was deeply hooked on Balatro.
“This is going to sound so tragic, but right now there’s a game called Balatro. It’s like poker, and it’s possibly the most addictive thing ever created. It’s currently on Nintendo Switch and Steam deck, but it’s going to be released on phones, and at that point I think humankind’s activity is going to drop about 25%,” he said.
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