Why EXOK Games Canceled Earthblade and What’s Next for Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry
In an unexpected but honest announcement this week, Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry of EXOK Games revealed that their highly anticipated project, Earthblade, has been canceled. The decision, made in December 2024 but shared publicly in early 2025, was influenced by internal team struggles, creative burnout, and the pressure to follow up on the success of their award-winning game, Celeste.
Why EXOK Games Canceled Earthblade
According to Thorson, one major turning point was the departure of Pedro Medeiros, a founding member of EXOK Games and the art director of Earthblade. The split stemmed from disagreements over the IP rights of Celeste, though the details remain private. After Medeiros left to focus on his new game Neverway, Thorson and Berry reevaluated the viability of Earthblade.
The game had been in development for years but was not as far along as expected. Thorson acknowledged that if they had pushed through, Earthblade could still have been a great game. However, the process had become increasingly exhausting, with the weight of Celeste’s success adding pressure to make Earthblade “bigger and better.” Over time, that pressure drained the joy from development, making it clear that continuing wasn’t the right choice.
Rather than force a project that no longer felt right, they decided to cancel Earthblade and reassess their creative direction.
What’s Next for Maddy Thorson and Noel Berry?
With Earthblade behind them, Thorson and Berry are shifting their focus back to smaller-scale projects. They have returned to prototyping at their own pace, rediscovering the creative energy that fueled their earlier work on Celeste and TowerFall.
This marks a significant shift in EXOK Games’ approach. Since Celeste, the team had grown, but scaling up turned out to be more challenging than expected. Now, they are embracing a more agile, indie mindset—one that values creative freedom over external expectations.
While there are no official announcements on their next game, EXOK Games still hopes to collaborate with past team members, including Amora, Kyle, Chevy, Lena, and Power-Up Audio. The emphasis is now on reclaiming the joy in game development, rather than chasing a large-scale project that may not align with their strengths.
What Does This Mean for Fans?
For those who had been eagerly awaiting Earthblade, the cancellation is disappointing, but it also signals a fresh start. If EXOK Games follows a path similar to their earlier successes, fans might see new projects emerge that capture the spirit of Celeste and TowerFall, even if they are smaller in scope.
In the meantime, Thorson and Berry have encouraged fans to check out Neverway, the new project from Pedro Medeiros, as well as to stay connected with EXOK Games for future updates. While Earthblade won’t be happening, EXOK’s legacy of thoughtful, challenging, and emotional game design is far from over.
