In a solemn post made today, Extremely OK Games LTD, the Indie team behind the hugely popular and successful Celeste, announced the cancellation of their much anticipated, upcoming “explor-action” game Earthblade.
In the post, which was written and uploaded by one of the developers, it explains how a fissure began to form in the team over the IP rights to Celeste.
“Earlier this year, a fracture began forming in the team. Specifically, this was between us (Noel & I) and Pedro, a founding member of EXOK, longtime friend & collaborator, and art director of Earthblade and pixel/ui artist on Celeste and TowerFall. The conflict centered around a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste, which we won’t be detailing publicly” reads the post.
While the team were able to amicably part ways with Pedro, who is now working on his own project called Neverway, it was what prompted the team to take a good, hard look at their situation with Earthblade. “The project had a lot going for it” continues the post, “but, frustratingly, it was also not as far along as one would expect after such a protracted development process.” Along with the game’s slow development, the team felt a great deal of pressure from the overwhelming success of Celeste, feeling the need to “deliver something bigger and better with Earthblade.”
No doubt the decision to cancel Earthblade was very difficult for all the team, but it does sound like it was for the best. The situation with Pedro gave them “clarity to see that we have lost our way, and the opportunity to admit defeat. I feel many ways about it, but one big feeling is undoubtedly relief.”
This is not the end for EXOK, and the post ends on a positive note, saying “We gave it all we’ve got, and life goes on. We are happy to return to our roots and reclaim some joy in our creative process, and see where that takes us.”
Whatever the EXOK team go on to do, all of us here at Gamer Social Club wish them all the best for the future.
Were you someone who was looking forward to Earthblade? What are your thoughts on its cancellation?
Let us know in the comments.
