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

Earthblade, the highly anticipated title from the creators of the indie sensation Celeste, has been officially cancelled due to internal conflicts within the development team. Fans of the game have been left disappointed, but the developers at Extremely OK Games (EXOK) have shared the reasons behind this tough decision.

Developers Cite Internal "Fracture"

In a somber announcement titled the Final Earthblade Update on their official website, EXOK Director Maddy Thorson revealed the cancellation of Earthblade. She expressed deep regret and apologized to the eager fanbase, admitting that the team is still grappling with the aftermath of this decision.

Thorson explained that the core issue leading to the project's cancellation was a "fracture" within the team, particularly between herself, EXOK Computer Programmer Noel Berry, and former Art Director Pedro Medeiros. The central conflict revolved around a "disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste," though Thorson did not delve into specifics due to the sensitive nature of the issue.

Despite reaching a resolution, Medeiros chose to pursue his own project, Neverway, under a new studio. Thorson made it clear that there are no hard feelings and that Medeiros and his team are still considered friends and allies, not adversaries. She emphasized that hostility towards them is not welcome in any EXOK community.

The departure of Medeiros was not the sole reason for cancelling Earthblade, but it prompted a critical evaluation of the project's viability. Thorson admitted that the game, while promising, was not as advanced as expected after such a lengthy development period. The immense success of Celeste had placed significant pressure on the team to exceed their previous achievements, which contributed to the exhaustion felt by the developers. Ultimately, Thorson concluded that it was time to admit defeat and move on.

EXOK’s Future Plans

With many team members having moved on, Thorson and Berry are now looking to the future with a focus on smaller, more manageable projects. They are currently in the experimental phase, aiming to recapture the joy and creativity that characterized the early days of Celeste and TowerFall. Thorson expressed hope for future collaborations with former team members and concluded on an optimistic note, stating that despite the setback, they are eager to return to their roots and find joy in the creative process once more.

Earthblade was envisioned as an "explor-action platformer" featuring Névoa, the child of Fate, on a journey to restore a ruined Earth. Although this vision will not come to fruition, the team at EXOK is determined to move forward and continue their journey in game development.