Celeste Dev Makes "Difficult Decision" To Cancel New Game Earthblade

The Celeste developer Extremely OK Games has made the "difficult decision" to cancel the 2D "expor-action" game Earthblade.

This new project was originally revealed in 2021 and now in a blog update it's been revealed the project was cancelled "late last month". Long story short, there's been conflict within the team "centered around a disagreement about the IP rights of Celeste".

Although the team "eventually reached a resolution" both parties have agreed to go separate ways - with EXOK founding member Pedro Medeiros now working on his own project Neverway. Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry insist "Pedro and the Neverway team aren't the enemy" and EXOK now wants to refocus its energy on "smaller-scale projects".

"Pedro isn't to blame for this- in fact 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...We're prototyping again and exploring at our own pace, and trying to rediscover game development in a manner closer to how we approached it at Celeste's or TowerFall's inception."

You can get the full rundown about the cancellation of Earthblade over on the developer's official website.