Extremely OK Games, the creators of the critically acclaimed platformer Celeste, have announced the cancellation of their highly anticipated title, Earthblade. Initially revealed in 2021, the project faced numerous delays and internal challenges, ultimately leading to the difficult decision to discontinue development.

The studio had originally aimed for a 2023 release, following an anticipated completion by the end of 2022.  Throughout development, Extremely OK Games communicated openly with fans about the ongoing struggles, including workload issues and technical roadblocks. While the community remained largely supportive, these challenges proved insurmountable, resulting in the project's ultimate demise.

In a blog post dated January 22nd, 2025, Extremely OK Games founder Maddy Thorson explained the reasons behind Earthblade's cancellation. The decision, made in December 2024, was delayed in its public announcement.  While the blog post didn't explicitly detail the reasons, internal disagreements, potentially including discussions about IP rights for Celeste, contributed to the decision.  One of the studio's founding members departed amidst these challenges. While the team had already faced development delays prior to this internal conflict, the departure likely served as the final blow to the project.

Losing a core team member prompted deep reflection within Extremely OK Games. Thorson detailed the toll that Earthblade's development had taken on the team, and the difficult realization that the progress made did not justify the continued struggle. This led to the decision to prioritize the well-being of the team and shift focus.

Despite the setback, Extremely OK Games remains committed to creating innovative games. Thorson emphasized the studio's intention to return to its roots, focusing on smaller-scale projects akin to Celeste and Towerfall.  This renewed focus aims to recapture the creative spirit and efficient development process that defined their earlier successes.

While the future of Extremely OK Games remains promising, concrete details about upcoming projects are still scarce.  The studio is effectively starting fresh after Earthblade's cancellation, taking time to regroup and plan their next steps.  The news of Earthblade's cancellation comes shortly after similar announcements from other studios, highlighting the challenges faced in the ever-evolving games industry.