Balatro fans react as Ben Starr delivers hilarious BAFTA speech for mysterious developer

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For enthusiasts of Balatro, witnessing Ben Starr, the star of Final Fantasy 16, frequently wear the Jimbo Jester hat and clown makeup is now a familiar sight, but their heartfelt acceptance speech on behalf of developer LocalThunk at the BAFTA Game Awards 2025 was truly remarkable.

To start off, you might have been curious why LocalThunk wasn’t present to receive the award themselves. However, Ben Starr stepped up to the plate and ensured a great show, as demonstrated at the BAFTA Games Awards 25 ceremony starting from the 1 hour, 45 minutes and 35 seconds mark. Yet, he didn’t forget to acknowledge that it felt a bit unusual in the process.

Indeed, I am the live-action Jimbo from the Balatro commercial you’re referring to. For those who aren’t constantly online, this statement may initially seem puzzling and even a bit intriguing.” Ben Starr began his speech with these words, establishing a tone that would carry throughout his presentation.

However, let me clarify, it wasn’t Ben who created that game. But when I hear some questioning his presence here, it feels a tad judgmental to me. Starr, in a gentle yet firm response, counters with a subtle hint of hurt, “I suppose there might be some confusion, but it stings a bit, you know?

Starr then inquired, “Even if my entire impact on Balatro was limited to creating that trailer and briefly munching on a banana, wouldn’t you agree that offering products is commendable?

In 2025, I see art not as an authentic expression of creativity, but as a cleverly disguised tool for ruthless financial gain, where the wealthy seek to amass even greater fortunes. For instance, some companies like OpenAI are using AI to generate images that mimic established styles, such as Studio Ghibli’s, which feels more like exploitation than innovation.

However, Starr points out to add a touch of humor, “After meeting him in person, it turns out LocalThunk is quite wealthy now. His shoes are even made of gold, all thanks to you!

Instead of following the usual pattern of acceptance speeches, I, as Starr, decided to bypass the traditional thanks-giving part. In a way that mirrors LocalThunk’s unique style, I want to share my gratitude in a manner that feels more authentic to me, a fellow gamer.

He mentions below that he wishes he could express gratitude to more individuals, but in all truth, he was primarily responsible for its creation.

In a humorous jab at their publisher, Starr expressed LocalThunk’s feelings towards them by stating, “It seems everyone else is a free rider, and that includes you, Playstack.

However, it wasn’t just laughter and jesting; LocalThunk concluded with a sincere request for us all to explore more self-reliant games like ANIMAL WELL. He emphasized that such games are the vital essence of this industry and deserve our admiration, appreciation, and respect, thank you very much.

Or simply:

LocalThunk’s final words were a call for us all to try more indie games like ANIMAL WELL. He stressed their importance in the industry and expressed gratitude for our support.

Both sentences convey the same message but with different styles. The first sentence is more formal, while the second one is more conversational. Choose the one that best fits your tone and audience.

At TopMob Gaming, we found the speech captivating, and it wasn’t just us; Balatro and Ben Starr enthusiasts alike flooded social media with their opinions.

Will Lowther (@willlowther), Vice President of Business Management at Splash Damage, recently shared on X (previously known as Twitter), that in his opinion, Benn Starr has undeniably earned the title of delivering the most outstanding acceptance speech.

In a similar vein, @bayerngay (Winiar kinnie) expressed their admiration for Balatro and Ben Starr on platform X.

Prior to playing the role of Clive in Final Fantasy 16, Starr had long been an avid fan of Final Fantasy 8, openly expressing his fandom for the past few years.

Lex (WintersFruit) paused for a moment to acknowledge that Starr acknowledges the accomplishments of various games, not only those of the frequently underestimated Final Fantasy VIII.

With the BAFTAs concluded, we’ll simply have to keep our fingers crossed to find out if Ben Starr dons his hat again for LocalThunk. One certainty, though, is that whatever comes next will continue to be just as eccentric and unpredictable as always.

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2025-04-09 01:34