The recent announcement by Motion Twin and Evil Empire to cease creative work on the critically acclaimed indie roguelike, Dead Cells, has sent shockwaves through the gaming community. Former lead designer on the game, Sébastien Bénard, who left Motion Twin to form Deepnight Games in 2020, has taken to his official website to express his thoughts and frustrations regarding the decision.
Bénard’s initial response on the official Dead Cells Discord server was admittedly impulsive and filled with strong language. In his latest post, he starts by offering an apology for his blunt words, acknowledging that they were hasty and not representative of his true feelings. This apology sets the tone for a more thoughtful exploration of his relationship with Motion Twin and the trajectory of Dead Cells’ development.
Bénard delves into his long-standing association with Motion Twin, highlighting their early days of creating browser/flash games. He reveals a short-term strategy of release, minimal updates, and abandonment, a pattern that carried over to Dead Cells. While he admits his participation in these decisions, he expresses disappointment in the lack of regard for the loyal player base from the web-era. Even after years of waiting and numerous requests, Motion Twin failed to provide the source code for these long-dead web games, leaving their former players disillusioned.
Significant changes have occurred within Motion Twin since the release of Dead Cells, as Bénard uncovers. The current team consists primarily of three former Dead Cells members, with the addition of an administrative role. Bénard acknowledges the dedication of Evil Empire, who has effectively carried the torch for the game. However, he admits to doubting their capabilities when Motion Twin entrusted them with the future of Dead Cells.
While Bénard attributes the initial success of Dead Cells to Motion Twin, he acknowledges that the subsequent millions of units were driven by Evil Empire. This shift in recognition, with more press outlets crediting Evil Empire as the true authors, likely unsettled Motion Twin. With their new game, Windblown, on the horizon, Motion Twin seemingly opted for a marketing strategy that left both loyal players and Evil Empire employees behind.
In the conclusion of his thoughts, Bénard tentatively grasps the motives behind Motion Twin’s announcement. He sees it as a calculated move to make way for their upcoming game, Windblown. However, he can’t help but feel that it’s a one-way strategy that leaves people behind, a pattern he has observed throughout his experience with Motion Twin.
It is evident that Bénard is frustrated and disillusioned by the way things have played out in Dead Cells’ creative development. Nevertheless, it is crucial to recognize the immense success the game has achieved over the past five years. Though Dead Cells cannot continue indefinitely, Motion Twin previously assured players that a content roadmap was planned until at least the end of 2024. However, with the recent announcement, it remains uncertain when Update 35 will be released.
As Motion Twin moves forward with Windblown, the fate of Dead Cells remains uncertain. Evil Empire, on the other hand, continues to work on a new game, and Motion Twin eagerly anticipates their future endeavors. The fallout from Dead Cells’ creative development reveals both the complexities of the indie gaming landscape and the challenges that arise within collaborations.
The creative journey of Dead Cells has encountered its fair share of ups and downs. Through the frank and critical reflections of Sébastien Bénard, we gain insight into the frustrations and disillusionment that can arise within long-standing collaborations. As the gaming community eagerly awaits updates and further developments, it is evident that the legacy of Dead Cells will endure, along with the valuable lessons learned from its challenging journey.
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