Extremely OK Games, the studio behind the critically acclaimed Celeste, has announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated “2D explor-action game,” Earthblade. Originally unveiled in April 2021 for release on PC via Steam, the project has faced significant challenges, leading to its ultimate termination.
The Announcement
In a detailed statement, Extremely OK Games co-founders Noel and Maddy Thorson outlined the reasons behind the decision. While acknowledging the disappointment fans may feel, they emphasized the emotional toll the project had taken on the team.
“Yes, we are opening the year with a huge, heartbreaking, and yet relieving failure,” Maddy wrote. “We made this decision in December and felt it best to wait until now to announce it. For us on the inside, we’ve had some time to process, grieve, and work toward accepting this.”
Team Conflict and Departure of Pedro
A significant contributing factor was internal conflict within the team. This involved a dispute between co-founders Noel and Maddy and Pedro, a founding member and the art director for Earthblade. The disagreement centered around the intellectual property rights of Celeste. While details of the dispute remain private, it ultimately led to Pedro’s departure.
Pedro has since focused on his new game, Neverway, which Maddy described as “very promising.”
Development Struggles
The loss of Pedro prompted Noel and Maddy to re-evaluate the viability of Earthblade. Despite years of work, the game’s progress was slower than anticipated.
“The project had a lot going for it but, frustratingly, it was also not as far along as one would expect after such a protracted development process,” Maddy explained.
The pressure of following up on the success of Celeste further exacerbated the challenges. Maddy described the development process as exhausting and unsustainable, ultimately leading to the decision to cancel the game.
Accountability
The co-founders took full responsibility for the cancellation and urged fans not to direct their frustrations toward Pedro or his team.
“Pedro and the Neverway team aren’t the enemy, and anyone who treats them as such isn’t welcome in any [Extremely OK Games] community,” Maddy stated.
What’s Next for Extremely OK Games
The studio plans to return to its roots, focusing on smaller-scale projects and rediscovering the joy in game development.
“We’re prototyping again and exploring at our own pace, and trying to rediscover game development in a manner closer to how we approached it at Celeste or TowerFall’s inception,” Maddy wrote.
The studio’s core team will work on new concepts with a focus on creativity and sustainability, aiming to rebuild their foundation and move forward.
Key Points
- Earthblade, a “2D explor-action game,” has been canceled by Extremely OK Games.
- Internal conflict, including the departure of founding member Pedro, played a significant role.
- Development struggles and pressure following Celeste’s success contributed to the decision.
- The studio will focus on smaller, more manageable projects moving forward.
- Fans are encouraged to support Pedro’s new project, Neverway.
- Extremely OK Games remains committed to fostering a positive and supportive community.