Cancellation of Earthblade

In a surprising turn of events, Extremely OK Games has announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated follow-up game, Earthblade, which was eagerly awaited by fans following the incredible success of Celeste.

Unveiled in a teaser trailer in late 2022, Earthblade promised to deliver an expansive fantasy experience featuring a “free-roaming, dynamically-loading map,” according to co-founder Maddy Thorson.

Reasons Behind the Cancellation

The decision to abort the project, made in December, stemmed from a combination of internal conflicts and overwhelming pressure to surpass the monumental impact of their previous hit.

Thorson explained that a significant disagreement arose among key team members – Thorson, Noel Berry, and Pedro Medeiros – centered around the intellectual property rights of Celeste.

While they eventually found common ground, it prompted all parties to agree to part ways, with Medeiros now exploring new horizons in a game titled Neverway.

Reflecting on the Situation

Despite acknowledging that losing a key collaborator like Medeiros was a contributing factor to their decision, Thorson emphasized that the situation encouraged the team to reflect critically on the project's direction.

The immense success and popularity of Celeste created "unrelenting pressure" to deliver an even "bigger and better" successor, which ultimately led to what Thorson described as an exhaustive struggle during development.

Moving Forward

"We’ve realized that the excitement that drove us at the outset of Celeste and TowerFall has dimmed, and this introspection has provided an unexpected clarity," Thorson stated.

"Admitting defeat has been daunting, but it's essential for our creative rejuvenation."

Thorson and Berry are now turning their focus towards smaller-scale projects, which they believe will allow them to reconnect with the fundamental joys of game development.

"We are prototyping again, aiming to rediscover the passion and excitement that fueled our earlier endeavors," Thorson remarked.

Looking Ahead

While the cancellation of Earthblade is undoubtedly disheartening for fans, it opens the door for new creative possibilities and projects from Extremely OK Games.

As the gaming community watches closely, many are left wondering what fresh experiences lie ahead from this talented team!