A Heartbreak and a Fresh Start: Extremely OK Games Cancels Earthblade
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The gaming world received a wave of disappointment when Extremely OK Games, the studio renowned for the critically acclaimed platformer Celeste, announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated project, Earthblade. Studio director Maddy Thorson took to the studio’s blog, describing the decision as a “huge, heartbreaking, and yet relieving failure.” This proclamation marked a somber end to a journey filled with initial excitement and later struggles.
earthblade, a 2D “explor-action” game promising a captivating blend of combat, exploration, and narrative, sparked intrigue in 2021 with glimpses of its captivating art and music. A full reveal a year and a half later showcased mesmerizing visuals and a compelling premise, leading to high anticipation for its initial 2024 release. However, a delay in March 2023 cast a shadow over the project, though the studio remained optimistic about its progress.
According to Thorson, a pivotal turning point arose from a disagreement regarding intellectual property rights associated with Celeste, leading to a complex situation involving herself, Noel Berry (co-founder), and founding member Pedro Medeiros. While this was ultimately resolved after a “very challenging and heartbreaking process,” the outcome involved Medeiros departing from the project. “Both parties agreed in the end that we should go our separate ways,” Thorson wrote.
Medeiros’ departure proved to be a catalyst, prompting the remaining members of Extremely OK Games to re-evaluate their path forward. While acknowledging Earthblade’s strengths, Thorson expressed that it wasn’t as far along in growth as initially expected. More significantly,she and Berry realized that working on the game had become a source of exhaustion,fueled in part by the pressure to surpass the success of Celeste.
“Noel and I also began to reflect on how the game has felt for us day-to-day,” Thorson explained, “and realized that it has been a struggle for a long time. Sure, working on one project for so long is bound to become a slog, but this feels like a deeper problem.Celeste’s success applied pressure on us to deliver something bigger and better with Earthblade, and that pressure is a large part of why working on it has become so exhausting.”
she emphasized that the decision to cancel Earthblade wasn’t a reflection on Medeiros’ contribution and that his departure ultimately provided clarity for this difficult choice. “Pedro isn’t to blame for this,” Thorson stressed. “Actually,the split with him has given us the 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.”
With Earthblade laid to rest, other team members have moved on to pursue new opportunities. Thorson and Berry now plan to refocus their efforts on smaller-scale projects, returning to their roots and rediscovering the joy in game development. They expressed excitement to explore new concepts and “wipe the slate clean” as they embark on this fresh chapter.
“We are happy to return to our roots,” Thorson concluded, “and reclaim some joy in our creative process, and see where that takes us.”
The Heartbreak and Hope of Earthblade’s Cancellation
The cancellation of Earthblade,the highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed Celeste,sent ripples through the gaming community. Maddy Thorson, the co-creator of both games and co-founder of Extremely OK Games, reflects on the difficult decision to end development and the emotional rollercoaster that came with it.
“We started noticing cracks in our foundation early this year,” Thorson explains, referring to the creative differences that ultimately led to the project’s demise. “Team members wanted to take Earthblade in different directions. Some clung to the puzzle-platforming roots of Celeste while others envisioned a more action-oriented game. It became clear we were spinning our wheels, trying to fit a square peg into a round hole,” she shares.
The studio was forced to confront the difficult reality that Earthblade wasn’t shaping up the way they had envisioned. “Cancellation was always a scenario we discussed,” Thorson admits.”We tried to find compromises, to make everyone happy, but it just wasn’t working.” The decision, while agonizing, was ultimately made to avoid releasing a game that wouldn’t live up to the studio’s ambitions.
The news hit the team hard, with some members expressing immense sadness and others a sense of relief. “it was incredibly tough,” Thorson recalls. “Some cried, they’d poured so much of themselves into the project. Others seemed almost relieved, like they’d been holding their breath for months, waiting for this to happen.”
Despite the personal toll, Thorson acknowledges both the failure and the relief that comes with the cancellation. “For me, it’s a failure becuase I let the team down,” she confesses. “I couldn’t keep them united, keep them happy.” However, she also sees it as a chance for a fresh start. “But it’s also a relief because now we can all move on. We can find new projects, new homes if necessary. We can start fresh,” she says, radiating a sense of hope for the future.
The road ahead for Extremely OK Games is undoubtedly uncertain, but Thorson’s commitment to pushing creative boundaries and crafting meaningful experiences remains unwavering. What the future holds for the studio remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the passion and determination of the team will continue to drive them forward.
Reflecting on the Journey: Maddy Talks About the future
The entrepreneurial journey is rarely a straight line, often marked by twists, turns, and unexpected detours. For Maddy,the founder of [Company Name],this has been especially true. After weathering a challenging period, Maddy took a moment to reflect on the past, acknowledging the struggles while remaining optimistic about the future.
“That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?
” she chuckled, when asked about the next chapter.”We’re taking some time to regroup, to think about what we want to do next.We’re a small team, and we’ve been through so much together. I’m confident that whatever comes next will be stronger for it. We’ll learn from our mistakes, take our time, and make something truly special.”
Maddy’s words spoke volumes about her resilience and the deep-rooted bond she shares with her team.
Facing adversity head-on, she expressed a sense of determination to learn and evolve. This unwavering spirit is a testament to the grit and passion that drives triumphant entrepreneurs.
“It’s been a tough few months,”
she admitted candidly, “but I’m ready to turn the page and start anew.”
Why did Extremely OK Games decide to cancel Earthblade?
Archyde Exclusive: An Interview with Maddy Thorson on the Cancellation of Earthblade
Archyde: Maddy, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. This must have been an incredibly challenging period for you and the team.
Maddy Thorson (MT): Thank you for having me. Indeed, it’s been a rollercoaster of emotions. We’re still processing it all, but I’m ready to discuss what happened.
Archyde: Let’s start at the beginning. When Earthblade was first announced, it was met with such enthusiasm. Can you tell us about the initial vision for the game?
MT: Initially, we were really excited about blending exploration, combat, and narrative in a 2D surroundings. We wanted to take what we’d learned from Celeste and expand on it, push our boundaries. Our passion was infectious, and that enthusiasm you saw was genuine. We couldn’t wait to get started.
Archyde: What do you think went wrong? Was there a turning point?
MT: There wasn’t a single turning point, but rather a series of challenges that mounted over time. One of the big issues was a disagreement about intellectual property rights related to Celeste. It was complex,and it took a toll on our team dynamics. Ultimately, we resolved it, but it led to Pedro Medeiros leaving the project, which was heartbreaking.
Archyde: His departure seemed to mark a important moment. How did that impact the project?
MT: Pedro’s departure forced us to take a step back and reassess. we realized that while Earthblade had potential, it wasn’t as developed as we’d hoped. More importantly, we were feeling burnt out.The pressure to top Celeste was immense, and it was affecting our enjoyment of the project.
Archyde: You mentioned that working on Earthblade had become a struggle. Can you elaborate on that?
MT: Sure.Every project has its ups and downs, but this felt different.Noel and I found ourselves dreading work on Earthblade. It was no longer the passion project it once was. we’d lost sight of why we started making games in the first place – to express ourselves creatively and have fun doing it.
Archyde: Given that, why did you decide to cancel Earthblade instead of trying to salvage it or scale it back?
MT: We considered all options, trust me. But after a lot of soul-searching, we realized that Earthblade in its current form wasn’t what we wanted to make anymore. We didn’t want to force something that wasn’t enjoyable for us.So,we made the hard decision to let it go.
Archyde: How does it feel now that it’s over? Are you relieved? Sad? Both?
MT: (pauses) It’s a mix. I’m relieved that we’re no longer forcing something that wasn’t working. I’m sad because we put so much into it, and there were brilliant aspects of the game. But ultimately, I’m at peace with our decision. We need to be honest with ourselves about what we want to create.
Archyde: So, what’s next for you and Extremely OK Games?
MT: Now that Earthblade is laid to rest, we’re taking some time to reflect. Noel and I want to go back to our roots, work on smaller projects, and reignite our passion for game growth. We’re excited about the possibility of wiping the slate clean and exploring new ideas.
Archyde: That’s an exciting prospect.Is there anything you’d like to say to your fans who were eagerly awaiting Earthblade?
MT: I want to thank them for thier support and understanding. We’re truly sorry that we couldn’t bring Earthblade to them as we envisioned it. but we promise we’re not done making games. We’re going to put our heart and soul into our next projects, and we hope they’ll join us on that journey.
archyde: Thank you, Maddy. We all look forward to seeing what comes next.
MT: Thank you. We’re ready to turn the page and start fresh.
