Extraordinarily OK Games Shuts Down Earthblade Project
By The independent developer mentioned elements regarding IP rights to Celeste along with other well-known pressures.
Extraordinarily OK Games has declared the termination of Earthblade.
In a blog entry, EXOK’s director of R&D, Maddy Thorson, explained that a “disconnect” arose within the team in early 2024 regarding the IP rights to Celeste.
This led to art director Pedro Medeiros departing from the developer in November, which prompted Thorson and EXOK programmer Noel Berry to reconsider the direction of Earthblade.
“Losing Pedro wasn’t the sole reason for cancelling the game, but it did push us to seriously evaluate whether pushing through to finish Earthblade was the right decision,” Thorson remarked. “The project had a lot of potential, yet it was frustratingly not as advanced as one would anticipate after such an extended development period.”
Thorson pointed out the daily challenges of developing Earthblade, coupled with the pressures of Celeste’s success as contributing factors, leading to the project becoming “draining” for the team.
“The separation from [Medeiros] has provided us the insight to recognize that we had lost our direction, and the chance to accept defeat,” she continued. “I have mixed feelings about it, but a dominant emotion is definitely relief.”
Thorson further clarified that the decision to cancel Earthblade was entirely made by her and Berry.
“Since this is the internet, I want to be absolutely clear here.”