Celeste Devs-helmed 'Earthblade' Axed Amid 'Disagreements'

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 update on their website, stems from significant internal challenges.

EXOK Director Maddy Thorson explained that a fundamental disagreement regarding the intellectual property rights of Celeste created a rift within the team, particularly between herself, programmer Noel Berry, and former art director Pedro Medeiros. While a resolution was reached, it resulted in Medeiros departing to pursue his own project, Neverway, under a new studio. Thorson stressed that despite the circumstances, there are no hard feelings, and EXOK welcomes continued support for Medeiros and his new endeavor.

The loss of Medeiros, coupled with the realization that Earthblade's development was further behind schedule than anticipated, prompted the cancellation. Thorson candidly admitted that the immense success of Celeste created undue pressure to surpass expectations, leading to burnout and ultimately, a decision to halt development.

Looking Ahead: A Return to Roots

With a significant portion of the team moving on, EXOK is refocusing on smaller-scale projects, prioritizing a more sustainable and enjoyable development process. Thorson and Berry are currently prototyping and experimenting, aiming to recapture the creative energy that fueled Celeste and TowerFall. They expressed hope for future collaborations with former team members.

Earthblade, envisioned as an explor-action platformer following the journey of Névoa, a child of Fate, across a ruined Earth, will unfortunately remain unrealized. However, EXOK's commitment to returning to their creative roots offers a glimmer of hope for future projects.