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 regarding the intellectual property rights of Celeste. While a resolution was reached, it resulted in the departure of former Art Director Pedro Medeiros, who is now pursuing his own project, Neverway. Thorson emphasized that there are no hard feelings, stating that Medeiros and his team are not considered adversaries.
However, Medeiros' departure wasn't the sole reason for cancellation. Thorson cited the game's protracted development and the immense pressure following Celeste's success as contributing factors. The team ultimately concluded that continuing development wasn't the optimal path forward.
Looking Ahead: A Return to Roots
With a smaller team, Thorson and programmer Noel Berry plan to refocus on smaller-scale projects, aiming to recapture the creative energy of their earlier works, Celeste and TowerFall. They expressed hope for future collaborations with former team members.
Earthblade, envisioned as an explor-action platformer featuring the character Névoa, will not see the light of day. While disappointing for fans, the developers' decision reflects a prioritization of team well-being and a return to a more sustainable development approach.
