Earthblade, the sequel to the well-loved 2D platformer Celeste, has been officially cancelled. The game, which was being developed by EXOK (Extremely OK) Games, was first revealed at The Game Awards in 2022 through a nearly two-minute gameplay trailer, announcing a release date set for 2024. Sadly, fans of Celeste will find it disappointing to learn that they won’t get the chance to play this anticipated sequel.
Conflict Among Team Members
A blog post shared some details about the cancellation, stating that the decision was made in December 2024 due to conflicts among the team members. The disagreements revolved around the intellectual property rights of Celeste. Although specific details were not disclosed, the resolution led to the conclusion that team members would part ways, resulting in the halt of the game’s development.
Pressure and Exhaustion
It was also mentioned in the blog post that while the game could have continued being developed, it would have been a difficult journey. The team faced immense pressure to create something even greater than Celeste, leading to an exhausting work environment. The decision to cancel Earthblade was somewhat straightforward, as the development was not as advanced as initially thought, given the time spent on it.
Future Focus
One of the key team members has departed from EXOK Games and is planning to release a new game soon. Meanwhile, the remaining team members will shift their attention toward smaller projects moving forward.
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