Extremely Ok Games, renowned for its successful platformers Celeste and Towerfall, has decided to discontinue its upcoming title Earthblade. This decision marks a significant shift for the studio, which had high expectations for the new project. The cancellation reflects the challenges faced during development and internal disagreements within the team.
Early reports about Earthblade highlighted its ambitious scope and innovative features, setting it apart from previous titles. However, recent developments indicate that creative differences and ownership disputes have hindered progress, leading to the project’s termination.
What Led to the Project’s Cancellation?
“We are opening the year with a huge, heartbreaking and yet relieving failure,” stated studio director Maddy Thorson in an official blog post. The primary reason for ending Earthblade was a conflict over the intellectual property rights of Celeste, which caused a significant split within the team.
How Did Internal Conflicts Affect Development?
The disagreement between Thorson and art director Pedro Medeiros escalated, resulting in Medeiros departing to develop his own game, Neverway. This departure prompted the remaining team members to reassess Earthblade’s trajectory and ultimately decide to cancel the project due to insufficient progress.
What’s Next for Extremely Ok Games?
Looking forward, Extremely Ok Games is entering a prototyping phase aimed at rediscovering its game development approach. The studio plans to focus on creating projects that align with the successful strategies used in Celeste and Towerfall, emphasizing quality and creative control.
The cancellation of Earthblade comes after several delays and a highly publicized trailer at the 2022 Game Awards. Despite the setback, Extremely Ok Games maintains a commitment to producing engaging and well-crafted games. Fans of Celeste and Towerfall can anticipate future releases that uphold the studio’s reputation for excellence.
The team’s experience with Earthblade underscores the complexities of expanding a game studio’s portfolio while managing creative and legal challenges. Moving forward, Extremely Ok Games aims to leverage its strengths and past successes to navigate these hurdles effectively.
Extremely Ok Games’ decision to cancel Earthblade reflects a strategic pivot to ensure future projects meet their high standards. By addressing internal conflicts and focusing on proven game development practices, the studio is positioning itself for sustained success in the competitive gaming industry.
