The announcement made by Motion Twin and Evil Empire to cease creative work on the highly popular indie roguelike, Dead Cells, has sparked a wave of reactions. One notable response came from former lead designer on the game, Sébastien Bénard, who shared his thoughts on the matter. Bénard, who left Motion Twin to establish Deepnight Games, expressed his frustration and disappointment in a post on his official website. In this article, we will delve into the key points raised by Bénard and examine the impact of the announcement on the future of Dead Cells.
Bénard began by acknowledging the impulsiveness of his initial reaction on the Dead Cells Discord server, where he criticized Motion Twin for their actions. He expressed regret for his choice of words and apologized for any offense caused. It is clear that Bénard’s emotions ran high at the time, but his subsequent reflections provide valuable insights into the dynamics between him, Motion Twin, and the game itself.
One of the main issues highlighted by Bénard is Motion Twin’s treatment of their loyal player base from the pre-Dead Cells era. He disclosed that after the success of Dead Cells, Motion Twin chose to disregard the players who had supported them during their early browser/flash game days. These loyal players had waited patiently for years, requesting the source code for their long-dead web games, only to be met with indifference from Motion Twin.
Bénard also shed light on the changes that occurred within the Motion Twin team since the launch of Dead Cells. He revealed that the majority of the original team members have left, and the current team consists of only three former Dead Cells members and a few administrative staff. This significant shake-up raises questions about the continuity and coherence of the team’s vision for the game. Bénard acknowledged that Evil Empire was the driving force behind Dead Cells’ success and expressed surprise at his own hesitation in trusting them with the future of the game.
In recent years, Bénard noticed an increasing recognition of Evil Empire’s contribution to Dead Cells, overshadowing Motion Twin. He acknowledged that this recognition was well-deserved, given Evil Empire’s dedication to the franchise. However, he speculated that Motion Twin may have been uncomfortable with this shift in perception, leading them to make the decision to end creative work on Dead Cells in favor of their upcoming game, Windblown.
Bénard reluctantly conceded that Motion Twin’s strategy to focus on Windblown by ending Dead Cells’ development may have been a logical marketing decision. However, he emphasized that this one-way strategy has left behind both loyal players and employees at Evil Empire. This recurring pattern of neglect, according to Bénard, is not entirely surprising given Motion Twin’s track record.
While the end of creative work on Dead Cells is undoubtedly disheartening for fans, it is important to recognize the immense success the game has achieved over the years. Dead Cells has captivated a dedicated player base and established itself as a beloved indie gem. Motion Twin’s announcement may mark the end of an era, but it also signifies the beginning of a new chapter for both Motion Twin and Evil Empire. It remains to be seen what the future holds for these two studios and whether they can continue to captivate audiences with their future projects.
Dead Cells may have come to a creative end, but Motion Twin has assured players that bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements will still be implemented. Additionally, Evil Empire is actively working on a new game, generating anticipation among fans. While the departure from Dead Cells is inevitable, the memories and impact of the game will endure.
Sébastien Bénard’s candid reflections offer valuable insights into the complex interplay between Motion Twin, Evil Empire, and the development of Dead Cells. It is essential to critically examine these dynamics to gain a deeper understanding of the decision to conclude creative work on the game. As fans, we can reflect on the success of Dead Cells and look forward to the exciting future endeavors of both studios involved.
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