Earthblade Cancellation: A Heartbreaking Update from Extremely OK Games
Extremely OK Games (EXOK), the creators of the acclaimed indie title Celeste, have announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated project, Earthblade. This decision, detailed in a recent blog post, stems from significant internal challenges.
EXOK Director Maddy Thorson revealed a "fracture" within the team, primarily involving disagreements concerning the intellectual property rights of Celeste. This conflict, involving Thorson, programmer Noel Berry, and former art director Pedro Medeiros, ultimately led to Medeiros' departure to pursue his own project, Neverway. Thorson emphasized that despite the difficulties, there are no hard feelings, and EXOK welcomes continued collaboration with Medeiros and his team in the future.
Beyond the internal conflict, Thorson cited the immense pressure resulting from Celeste's success as a contributing factor. The expectation to surpass their previous achievement proved to be incredibly demanding, leading to burnout and a reevaluation of the project's viability. Thorson acknowledged that Earthblade, despite its potential, wasn't as far along in development as anticipated.
Looking Ahead: EXOK's Future Focus
With a reduced team, EXOK plans to refocus on smaller-scale projects, prioritizing a more sustainable and enjoyable development process. Thorson and Berry aim to recapture the creative energy that fueled Celeste and TowerFall, experimenting with prototypes and rediscovering their passion for game development.
Earthblade, envisioned as an explor-action platformer featuring the character Névoa, will not see the light of day. While disappointing for fans, EXOK's commitment to prioritizing team well-being and a healthier creative process signals a promising, albeit altered, future for the studio.
