At The Game Awards of 2022, there was an unveiling of a Metroidvania game known as “Earthblade”, capturing the attention of many with its promising concept. Particularly, those anticipating the next project from the developers of “Celeste” were intrigued by what was in store.
Alas, in a recent update by Extremely OK Games, Maddy Thorson, the game developer, reveals the unfortunate news that “Earthblade” has been officially axed. Thorson discloses that the decision was made in December, expressing regret for the disappointment felt by fans.
A rift within the team emerged when a disagreement arose between Thorson and Pedro Medeiros, a pixel artist and co-founder of Extremely OK Games, ultimately leading to Medeiros leaving the team. This dispute revolved around the intellectual property rights of “Celeste”, a disagreement that could not be resolved. Medeiros had been a crucial figure in shaping the look and feel of “Earthblade” due to his distinctive art style.
Despite years of development, “Earthblade” failed to reach the envisioned milestone as the team had anticipated. The daunting challenges faced by the team, paired with the weight of the success of “Celeste”, created a formidable obstacle. Thorson candidly acknowledges that the pressures mounted, culminating in the difficult decision to cancel the project.
In the aftermath of the cancellation of “Earthblade”, Thorson declares the team’s intention to reset its focus on smaller-scale endeavors. Though details of new projects remain undisclosed, the commitment to a fresh beginning is clear. As developments unfold, we await further updates to illuminate the future endeavors of this talented team.
