The much-anticipated follow-up game, Earthblade, from the creators of the award-winning platformer Celeste, has officially been canceled. Extremely OK Games made the announcement in a blog post where they explained that internal disputes, coupled with pressures to exceed Celeste’s success, led to the decision to halt development. Director Maddy Thorson and programmer Noel Berry concluded that the project had strayed from its original vision and became a burden rather than a creative pursuit. Moving forward, the studio plans to focus on prototyping new ideas while reflecting on their previous successful development processes. This marks a significant pivot for Extremely OK Games, known for their unique approach to 2D platformers.
What happened to the game Earthblade?Earthblade was canceled due to internal disputes among the development team and the overwhelming pressure to surpass the success of Celeste. The team recognized that the project was not progressing as hoped, leading to the difficult decision to stop development.
Celeste, released in 2018, garnered widespread acclaim for its brilliant level design and emotional storytelling. It served as a homage to classic 2D platformers, resonating deeply with players. The game's success set high expectations for Earthblade, ultimately influencing the decision to abandon its development. The creators are now shifting their focus to new projects, hoping to recapture the magic that made Celeste a beloved title in the gaming community.
Alex Riverton
Alex Riverton is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry. Known for their in-depth analysis and hands-on previews, Alex has built a reputation for insightful commentary on gameplay mechanics and storytelling in videogames.
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Comments
It's always a bummer to hear about a game getting canceled, especially when it's from a team that delivered something as special as Celeste. Here’s hoping Extremely OK Games can channel their creativity into something fresh that captures that same magic
It's always a bummer to see a promising title like Earthblade get canceled, especially when it comes from such a beloved studio like Extremely OK Games. Hopefully, this pivot allows them to rediscover that spark that made Celeste resonate so deeply with fans
It's a real bummer to see Earthblade get canceled, especially with the talent behind it. But it sounds like the team is making the right move by focusing on their creativity rather than the pressure to replicate past success; sometimes, stepping back is the best way to keep that unique spark alive.