Analyst: Balatro and Silksong Are “Beloved” Despite Financial Concerns

Balatro and Hollow Knight: Silksong “shouldn’t exist,” according to industry analyst Joost van Dreunen. He explained that while these games may not make financial sense on paper, they have garnered a passionate following. Their commercial success is undeniable, yet it challenges traditional industry expectations. Van Dreunen, a professor at NYU Stern School of Business and a strategic advisor for a community development agency, shared insights on how the evolving economics of gaming are paving the way for smaller projects to achieve remarkable success. He likened this shift to how television disrupted the Hollywood model. Free-to-play titles like Candy Crush are now competing with and even overshadowing major franchises like GTA and Call of Duty. However, there’s a growing number of games that operate outside these conventional frameworks, such as Silksong. The simpler production values of some indie titles can actually be a significant advantage. Van Dreunen noted, “I’m a big fan of the idea that low tech is a much more interesting design factor than high tech. I think, demonstrably, whenever new technology comes out, what studios tend to do is just increase the final product. They make it more complex, and therefore they negate the productivity gains.” This suggests that games like Balatro and Silksong can shine with smaller budgets and teams by capitalizing on the productivity shifts that larger studios often mismanage. Ultimately, van Dreunen emphasized that there’s a clear demand for smaller, engaging games at a price point similar to Balatro or Silksong. He stated, “I think increasingly it’s clear that what people want is a $20 Silksong game that’s challenging, but it doesn’t have to make my eyes bleed in order for me to want it.” Balatro was one of the most downloaded games on the App Store in 2025. In other news, Silksong is set to receive a free expansion titled Sea of Sorrow.