Extremely OK Games Announces Delay of Next Game, Earthblade
Celeste and Towerfall developer Extremely OK Games has announced that its highly anticipated fantasy platformer, Earthblade, has been delayed. Originally planned for release this year, the game will now be pushed back to a later, unspecified date.
Earthblade was first revealed in April 2021 and received its debut trailer at The Game Awards in 2022. The game follows the journey of Névoa, a child of fate, as they return to explore the mysteries of a shattered Earth. Drawing inspiration from the Metroidvania subgenre, Earthblade promises seamless exploration, challenging combat, and a plethora of enigmas to unravel. While the game is confirmed for PC, no other platforms have been announced yet.
Updates on Earthblade Development
In a recent blog post, the head of Extremely OK Games, Maddy Thorson, addressed the delay candidly, acknowledging the frustration it may cause among eager fans.
“I know, I know, this update is long overdue. We appreciate your patience as we try our best to make this video game that appears to be stubbornly determined to not get made. More on the process in the following paragraphs, but first we need to face the music: this game ain’t coming out in 2024. We had hoped to be announcing a firm release date around now, but it just isn’t in the cards. We know that this will be disappointing for a lot of you and we’re sorry for that. Maybe this was predictable, but still it always sucks when the haters are right.”
Thorson goes on to share some positive updates, including the addition of veteran indie developer Kyle Pulver to the team. Despite initial reservations about expanding the team, Thorson highlights Pulver’s valuable contributions in reevaluating Earthblade’s development process and addressing existing challenges.
Thorson also reflects on personal struggles, including a gender transition, and how these have impacted their ability to provide direction for the project. However, with the support of Pulver and the team, Thorson expresses renewed confidence in Earthblade’s future.
“I’ve struggled to keep up with my workload and provide a strong direction for the team, while navigating all of the challenges of my personal life, including my gender transition. Transition involves a lot of change, uncertainty and doubt, and it’s easy to see how that has bled into Earthblade.”
Despite setbacks and uncertainties, Thorson remains optimistic about the game’s development, noting that emerging from personal challenges has brought a sense of clarity and a fresh start for the project.