Earthblade, a Game by Celeste Devs, Cancelled Due to \"Disagreements\"

Earthblade: A Heartbreaking Cancellation

The much-anticipated Earthblade, from the creators of the acclaimed indie game Celeste, has been cancelled. This difficult decision, announced by Extremely OK Games (EXOK), stems from internal challenges within the development team.

Internal Conflicts Lead to Cancellation

In a heartfelt message on their website, EXOK Director Maddy Thorson revealed the reasons behind the cancellation. A significant factor was a growing internal fracture, primarily involving Thorson, programmer Noel Berry, and former art director Pedro Medeiros. This fracture centered on a disagreement regarding the intellectual property rights of Celeste, a detail Thorson chose not to elaborate on, citing the sensitivity of the situation.

While a resolution was reached, it ultimately led to Medeiros departing to pursue his own project, Neverway, under a new studio. Thorson emphasized that despite the circumstances, Medeiros and his team are not considered adversaries, and any negativity towards them will not be tolerated within the EXOK community.

The loss of Medeiros wasn't the sole reason for cancellation, however. Thorson acknowledged that the project's progress was slower than anticipated, and the immense pressure stemming from Celeste's success contributed to team burnout. The decision to cancel, while painful, was ultimately seen as necessary to regain creative momentum.

EXOK's Future Focus

With a restructured team, Thorson and Berry plan to refocus on smaller-scale projects, prioritizing a more sustainable and enjoyable development process. They are currently experimenting and prototyping, aiming to recapture the creative energy of their earlier work on Celeste and TowerFall. They expressed hope for future collaborations with former team members. The statement concluded with a message of optimism, emphasizing a return to their roots and a renewed focus on creative joy.

Earthblade, envisioned as an explor-action platformer, would have followed the journey of Névoa, a child of Fate, returning to a ruined Earth to uncover its mysteries.