What Makes the Balatro Card Game a Blueprint for Indie Success

23 Jun, 2025

12 min read

Balatro Card Game: A Blueprint for Indie Success

If you’ve been watching a popular indie game like Balatro card game take off and thinking, “I could build something like that,” you’re not alone. Having worked with teams across both small indie titles and large-scale franchises, I’ve spent years working with teams on everything from small passion projects to massive franchises, and today I want to walk you through how to develop an indie game like Balatro without burning through your savings.

Let’s get this straight: You don’t need millions. You don’t need a studio full of PhDs. You just need clarity, grit, and the right creative process. Today, I’ll walk you through how I would personally approach making something like Balatro card game without breaking the bank and what you can learn from that journey if you’re figuring out how to create an indie game yourself.

Why Balatro Card Game

Before we dive into the details of dollars and strategy, let’s talk about why Balatro is such a great reference point.

It’s a card-based roguelike that exploded in popularity
Built on a simple core loop with layered depth
Polished but not overproduced
It’s a success story for indie video game development

What makes Balatro card game special isn’t flashy visuals or an AAA team; it’s a brilliant core mechanic, well-executed design, and a compelling user experience. That’s the dream for any indie developer. So if you’re wondering how to create an indie game like this, one that punches above its weight, we’re going to break it down.

“The power of an indie game lies not in its budget, but in its ability to turn a bold idea into a playable obsession.”

– Salman Lakhani, CEO of Cubix, a leading game development company

1. Insight into The Magic of Balatro Card Game

Analyzing the DNA of a successful game is a must before one can get down to developing. In the case of Balatro, that would be to look beyond the graphics or even the mechanics. You must inquire.

Why does this game appear so addictive?
What is its fundamental loop that gamers are fond of?
How does it create a community in the absence of titanic marketing?

Balatro card game does so well because of its total boldness of a gameplay loop: poker + roguelike leveling system. It has a simple design, but as you continue playing, you open up the complexity. It stimulates experimentation, mixing up various strategies, and getting better run after run.

The genius is there, in systems, and not in graphics or cinematics.

When the question is how to make an indie game like this, you should every time start with the game feel and psychology of the player. It is not the amount of money that makes you successful, but the conceptual understanding.

2. Building a MLG Like Balatro Card Game

In the startup world, we talk about Minimum Viable Products. In indie games, I prefer to call them Minimum Lovable Games.

Here’s my process:

Core Mechanic: What is the player doing, over and over again?
Progression System: What motivates them to keep going?
Fail Conditions: How does the game push back?
Replay Value: What makes it worth coming back?

That’s it. You don’t need leaderboards, online play, daily events, or even story arcs yet. Those are additions. First, nail the core experience.

If you’re bootstrapping, every feature is an expense. Every week in development adds cost. By focusing on a minimum lovable core, you can validate your idea without overspending.

3. Budget Breakdown: What Costs What

Let’s talk dollars because how to develop an indie game is as much a business question as a creative one.

Here’s a rough breakdown if you’re hiring a small indie game studio or freelancers:

Task	Budget Range (USD)
Game Design	$2,000 – $5,000
Programming	$10,000 – $25,000
Art/Assets	$3,000 – $8,000
Music/SFX	$1,000 – $3,000
QA Testing	$1,500 – $4,000
Marketing & Launch	$2,000 – $7,000
Total	$19,500 – $52,000

At Cubix, we’ve helped teams make polished mobile games for under $40,000 and more ambitious cross-platform indie hits for $100k+. But if you’re solo or working with a lean team, $20k–$40k is your sweet spot.

Where you cut corners

Use open-source tools (Godot, Unity free version)
Buy asset packs
Reuse UI templates
Outsource in phases

Where you don’t cut

Core mechanics polish
QA testing
Game balance

4. Picking the Right Engine

You might be wondering, “Which engine should I use to develop an indie game like Balatro?”

Here’s my quick rundown

Unity: Best for 2D/3D cross-platform titles; strong asset store
Godot: Free, open-source, and getting better every month; excellent for 2D
Unreal: Overkill for a Balatro-type game
GameMaker: Great for pixel-art games or card-based mechanics

For something like Balatro card game, Godot or Unity is ideal. At Cubix, we’ve shipped games in both. Unity gives you reach (iOS, Android, Web, PC) and lots of community support. Godot gives you speed and freedom.

The tool matters less than the discipline of using it efficiently.

5. Hiring Smart: Indie Doesn’t Mean Amateur

One of the myths I often need to bust is that “indie” means “cheap” or “low-quality.” Not true. Most popular indie games are made by small but hyper-professional teams.

If you’re not a coder, hire a developer. If you can’t draw, get an artist. But don’t think you need 12 people from day one.

Here’s how I’d build a lean team

Game Designer (You)
Programmer (Freelance or small dev shop)
2D Artist (freelancer or asset pack collector)
Sound Designer (minimal, royalty-free sources)

Work in milestones, not man-hours. And never pay everything up front; tie payments to completed phases.

If you want more control, hire a game studio like ours. We work on demand, in phases, with fixed budgets.

6. Play Testing and Feedback: Don’t Wait Too Long

This part makes or breaks a game.

You can’t “guess” what’s fun. Even with years of experience, I always push teams to do early playtesting. Build a prototype in 3–4 weeks and get it into the hands of friends, Reddit users, or fellow devs.

Use tools like

Itch.io for free demos
Discord servers for feedback
Trello/Notion for tracking changes
Loom or screen recordings to study player behavior

At Cubix, we sometimes A/B test mechanics using small user batches. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just directionally correct.

The goal: Don’t build in a vacuum. Build with your audience in mind.

“If you focus on what players feel, not just what they see, you’re already halfway to building a game that matters.”

— Umair Ahmed, VP of Growth at Cubix, a leading game development company

Step 7: Pre-Launch Marketing on a Budget

You don’t need a PR firm to market a popular indie game like Balatro card game. But you do need a plan.

What We Recommend

Start a devlog from Day 1
Build a community on Discord and Twitter
Use GIFs, quick clips, and memes to gain interest
Build Steam wishlists if you’re targeting PC
Share your journey

Most games we’ve helped succeed did so because the creator was as present as the product. People follow creators. Share your wins, your doubts, and your progress. It’s part of the marketing.

Step 8: Monetization Models That Work

Now let’s talk about getting paid. There’s no point in learning how to develop an indie game if you can’t make money from it.

Monetization Options:

Premium (One-time Purchase): Works best for PC and console
Freemium with IAPs: Best for mobile (cosmetic upgrades, boosts)
Ad-based: Good for ultra-casual games, but don’t overdo it
DLC or Expansion Packs: Keep loyal players engaged

The sweet spot for pricing?

$4.99–$14.99 for a popular indie game is very reasonable, especially if the experience is replayable.

At Cubix, we also guide creators on Steam bundles, mobile IAP balancing, and cross-platform launch pricing.

Step 9: Your Development Timeline

Every project is unique, but here’s a sample 10-month roadmap we use for most indie launches:

Phase	Duration	Outcome
Concept & Research	1 month	Finalize idea, core mechanics
Prototyping	1 month	Playable build
Pre-Production	1 month	Assets, tools, budget aligned
Development	3–4 months	Core gameplay, menus, art
Testing & Iteration	1 month	Bug fixes, gameplay refinement
Marketing & PR	Ongoing	Community engagement
Polish & Launch	1–2 months	Store prep, soft launch, trailers

If you’re wondering how to create an indie game within a year, this roadmap is your starting point. Keep it flexible, but hold milestones accountable.

Step 10: Final Advice from Someone Who’s Seen It Work

If I could give just three pieces of advice to any dev or team thinking about how to develop an indie game, it would be this:

Start small, finish strong

Don’t dream too big on your first build. Prove your concept first.

Focus on the player’s joy

If it’s fun for them, it will succeed. Period.

Learn before you launch

Test. Read. Iterate. You get one launch. Make it count.

Why the Indie Game Scene Is Stronger Than Ever

One of the best things about learning how to develop an indie game today is that you’re entering the space at a time when the ecosystem is thriving. You no longer need gatekeepers or publishers to get noticed. Platforms like Steam, itch.io, the Epic Game Store, and mobile app stores have democratized discovery.

We’re seeing solo developers hitting six figures with a great popular indie game, and micro-studios consistently outperforming larger teams in terms of creativity and profitability. And the audience? They’re hungry for games that feel fresh, personal, and creative, something the AAA market often lacks.

At Cubix, we work with these creators every day. Many of our clients are entering the market with just an idea and a small budget. What makes them stand out isn’t money; it’s understanding how to create an indie game people will care about.

The Moment I Realized Budget Wasn’t Everything

When I first worked with a team of three developers in a dusty co-working space, we had no real budget, just talent and a burning idea. We didn’t have the best art, the fastest laptops, or any marketing agency. But what we had was clarity: we knew the fun we wanted players to have. And that clarity helped us ship a game that generated $70K in its first month.

That experience stuck with me. Ever since, I’ve been obsessed with helping indie teams figure out how to develop an indie game that doesn’t rely on a massive bank account.

Common Mistakes When Trying to Build a Game Like Balatro

I’ve advised dozens of indie teams, and I’ve seen what derails great projects. If you want to avoid wasting time or money, avoid these traps:

1. Overbuilding Before Testing

You spend six months building a world, menus, and 20 levels, only to find out the core loop isn’t fun. Don’t do this. Build the loop first. Then test.

2. Ignoring Your Audience

If you want to build a popular indie game, build with the players, not just for them. Share devlogs. Run polls. Get feedback.

3. Underestimating QA

Many new developers think QA testing is optional. It’s not. It’s one of the only ways to ensure your game feels polished and fair.

4. Building Too Broad

Trying to make an open-world platformer with crafting, co-op, and trading on your first try? Don’t. Narrow it down.

We emphasize this constantly in our workshops at Cubix: start narrow, validate often, and expand only when there’s traction.

Case Study: From Prototype to Indie Success

Let me share a success story from our indie game studio, with the client’s permission.

We worked with a solo developer from Europe who had an idea for a puzzle game that revolved around music. He wasn’t a programmer, just a passionate designer with a solid concept and some sketches.

We helped him:

Define the Minimum Lovable Game
Build a 2-level prototype in Unity
Use royalty-free assets and music
Launch a pre-alpha on Itch.io
Collect over 1,000 wishlist signups in 3 months

He spent under $18,000 and gained enough traction to raise money from a small publisher. Today, his game is on Steam and Switch. He understood how to develop an indie game on a smart budget and put his energy in the right places.

The takeaway? You don’t need it all. You just need to move fast, test early, and focus on the gameplay.

The Rise of Investor Interest in Indie Games

Let’s talk money.

As someone who handles growth and strategy at Cubix, I’ve been in rooms with both investors and creators. What I’m seeing now is a massive rise in investor attention on indie video game development, especially after games like Balatro card game, Stardew Valley, and Hades showed massive ROI potential.

Investors are now looking for:

Creative ideas that stand out
Small, focused teams
Clear monetization plans
Evidence of early traction (Steam wishlists, community size)

If you understand how to develop an indie game and you can demonstrate early progress, there’s more capital available today than ever before, through incubators, grants, publishers, and even crowdfunded routes.

We often help our clients structure investor decks, build prototypes, and pitch to funding partners. And you’d be surprised; what matters most is clarity of the vision, not just flashy art.

Post-Launch: Growing your Game After Release

Let’s assume you’ve launched. Now what?

The reality of how to create an indie game doesn’t end at launch. The next 6 months post-launch are just as important.

What to Focus On Post-Launch

Collect feedback and patch bugs quickly
Release updates regularly (new content, features, fixes)
Engage with the community on Discord, Steam forums, Reddit
Pitch to influencers and YouTubers for coverage
Run limited-time sales and bundles to increase reach

Some of the most popular indie games exploded months after launch due to streamers, reddit discussions, or updates that made them more appealing.

Balatro’s rise was steady, first a trickle of attention, then a spike when influencers picked it up. That’s how virality works. Be ready to capitalize when the moment comes.

Indie Games Inspired by the Balatro Card Game Formula

Studying the indie greats is like taking free classes from the best.

Celeste

Made with pixel art and simple platforming mechanics, it’s a masterclass in emotional storytelling. You don’t need complex graphics to move people.

Loop Hero

A retro-style, loop-based card game that went viral. What worked? An addictive loop and clean presentation.

Dead Cells

Roguelike meets fast action. This game was built with a clear style, tight mechanics, and responsive controls, not big budgets.

Undertale

Arguably one of the most beloved indie games. Its graphics were minimal, but the characters and dialogue? Unforgettable.

Vampire Survivors

Built by a solo developer using cheap asset packs. Yet it blew up because the gameplay loop was insanely fun.

These titles show that how to develop an indie game isn’t about spending more; it’s about delivering value through fun, narrative, or uniqueness.

Avoid Common Marketing Mistakes for a Game Like Balatro

Marketing can make or break your game. Here are traps that I see often.

1. Thinking that Marketing Starts After Launch

Wrong. Marketing begins when development begins. Build in public. Share your dev journey on Twitter (now X), Reddit, and Discord.

2. Ignoring Your Email List

Collect emails from Day 1. Tease your concept. Give away wallpapers or behind-the-scenes devlogs in exchange for subscriptions.

3. Hoping for “Organic Discovery”

Stores are crowded. Don’t bet your game’s success on luck. Reach out to streamers and reviewers, and build real community engagement.

I’ve seen small studios skyrocket because they focused more on community than graphics. Marketing is gameplay for visibility.

How Balatro Game Developed Without a Big Budget

You can make your game look polished even if you can’t afford custom 3D art.

Use Asset Marketplaces

Kenney.nl, Itch.io, and Envato Elements offer thousands of free or affordable 2D/3D assets.
You can build a full prototype using placeholder or modular assets.

Tools That Help

Aseprite for pixel art animation
TexturePacker for optimizing sprite sheets
Tiled for creating 2D maps

UI/UX Plugins

Polish your menus and in-game HUD with ready-made plugins from the Unity Asset Store or Godot AssetLib. A clean UI = a professional look.

We help indie teams identify and reuse visual components intelligently so the game feels handcrafted even if you’re using public assets.

Tips to Finish Your Balatro-Like Game Without Burning Out

A lot of games die halfway. Here’s what helps projects survive:

Break down the project into sprints, even if you’re solo
Validate early with players; don’t wait until it’s “perfect”
Keep feature creep in check with a strict MVP
Focus on the gameplay loop first; polish it later

Use project management tools like Trello, Notion, or even pen and paper. You’re not running a corporation; you’re building a game that needs to ship.

Balatro Card Game A Blueprint for Indie Success

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FAQs About Balatro Card Game

Here is the attempt to answer a few common questions that I get from the aspirant devs.

1. What’s the Best Engine to Develop a Card-Based Indie Game like Balatro?

Unity works well due to its card game frameworks and asset store tools. But Godot is a solid free option if you want lightweight performance and full control.

2. Can I Make a Balatro-style Card Game Solo?

Yes! Balatro itself was made by a solo developer. With a focused idea and disciplined scope, you can create a polished, addictive card game on your own.

3. How Long Does it Take to Make a Balatro-like Game?

A focused, replayable card game can take 8 to 18 months. If you’re building solo, expect delays—but also the freedom to iterate and perfect the loop.

4. What’s the Cost to Develop a Game Like Balatro?

If you’re doing most of the dev and design, you could keep it under $10K. With a small team, polished art, and solid marketing, the range grows to $50K–$150K.

5. What’s the Most Important Factor Behind Balatro’s Success?

A compelling gameplay loop. Balatro nailed the feeling of “one more run.” Combine that with community buzz and you don’t need AAA visuals to go viral.

6. How to Develop an Indie Game That Players Talk About?

Every hit indie game gets people talking. And talk = sales.

To make your game worthy:

Create unique mechanics or a fresh twist
Make players feel smart, emotional, or empowered
Give them stories to tell (like “I barely beat that boss!”)
Engage your community pre-launch

Balatro card game didn’t just win because it looked cool. It felt smart, satisfying, and endlessly replayable.

Want Help? We’re an Indie Game Studio That Gets It

At Cubix, we’ve helped developers launch across PC, mobile, web, and game consoles. We’re not here to sell you a fantasy. We’re here to help you build your first (or next) great indie game without wasting time or money. If you’re wondering how to develop an indie game the right way, we’ll show you what works.

Whether you want to start small or already have funding and a team, we’ll work with you in phases, with fixed pricing and industry expertise.

The success of the Balatro card game proves that a creative idea executed well can take the indie world by storm, we know how to support that journey.

So if you’re serious about bringing your vision to life, and you’re ready to talk to an indie game studio that’s built its reputation on results, let’s talk.

Shoaib Abdul Ghaffar

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