Maddy Thorson: Difference between revisions
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<!-- THIS PAGE IS ALSO LICENSED UNDER CC BY-SA 3.0 -->
{{Infobox person
| name = Maddy Thorson
| image =
| image_size = 200px
| alt = Maddy Thorson
| caption = Thorson in
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=no|1988|3|18}}▼
| birth_place =
▲| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=no|1988|3|18}}
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| occupation = Video game developer▼
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| known_for = ''[[Celeste]]'', ''TowerFall'', ''[[Celeste Classic]] 1'', ''[[Celeste Classic 2]]''▼
▲| occupation = Video game developer
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▲| known_for = ''[[Celeste]]'', ''TowerFall''
}}
<!-- As of late 2021 Maddy prefers she/her per her twitter profile https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson. Also see https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1442927191973527552 -->
<!-- She has previously preferred they/them (see https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1150555661819768832 and https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson/status/1150592764511313920) -->
'''Maddy Thorson''' (born '''Matt Thorson'''; 18 March 1988) is a Canadian video game developer, known as one of the lead creators for the video games ''[[Celeste]]'' and ''TowerFall'', developed under their<ref name=ThorsonNonbinaryTweet>{{cite tweet |author = Thorson, Matt | user = mattthorson | number = 1150555661819768832 | date = 14 July 2019 | title = It’s #InternationalNonBinaryDay! I’m going to use this opportunity to say... Hi, I’m non-binary :) }}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |author=Thorson, Matt |user=MattThorson |number=1150592764511313920 |date=14 July 2019 |title=They/them :)}}</ref> studio Matt Makes Games. Since September 2019, Thorson has effectively shut down Matt Makes Games to relaunch their team under Extremely OK Games (EXOK); ''Celeste'' is now effectively published by EXOK.▼
{{Wikipedia|Maddy Thorson}}
▲'''
==Career ==
===Helix Games===
Around fourteen, Thorson's mother helped her acquire a copy of {{w|GameMaker Studio|Game Maker}}, a software tool to help develop video games. Through working in Game Maker, she was connected to others in online forums who were also interested in making games, including Chevy Ray Johnston.<ref name="polygon thorson">{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/features/2014/7/2/5858032/towerfall-matt-thorson | title = What It Feels Like To Launch An Indie Hit | first = Chris | last = Plante | date = 2 July 2014 | website = {{w|Polygon (website)|Polygon}} | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190525182147/https://www.polygon.com/features/2014/7/2/5858032/towerfall-matt-thorson | archive-date = 25 May 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> She developed a number of small pay-what-you-want games through Game Maker in high school and through college,<ref name="polygon thorson" /> including ''Jumper'' and several sequels, ''FLaiL'', and ''An Untitled Story''.<ref name="killscreen profile" /> Several of her games were described as "masocore", [[wikt:masochism|masochistic]] games that were extremely difficult for the player to complete; Thorson felt her goal was not to make her games near-impossible but instead to make games that helped direct the player to improve themselves so that the player could beat the challenges she made for them.<ref name="killscreen profile" /> Early games were published under the name "Helix Games", but in April 2008, she rebranded it, considering the name a more important brand for her work.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.mattmakesgames.com/news.php | title = New Name, New Site | first = Maddy | last = Thorson | date = 17 April 2008 | website = Matt Makes Games | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080421234951/http://www.mattmakesgames.com/news.php | archive-date = 21 April 2008 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
Thorson's goal in college was to get a computer programming degree and join up with a large game development studio, but as she progressed, she realized she could still make video games without having to be attached to a studio.<ref name="polygon thorson" /> Following her graduation, Thorson moved into a Vancouver apartment with Johnston where they shared game ideas. Most of these were {{w|browser game|browser games}}, and they successfully had a few of theirs published by {{w|Adult Swim Games}} on its site.<ref name="killscreen profile">{{cite web | url = https://killscreen.com/articles/profile-matt-thorson/ | title = Profile: Matt Thorson | first = Lana | last = Polanski | date = 20 November 2011 | website = {{w|Kill Screen}} | access-date = 6 September 2019}}</ref>
Thorson and Johnston were frequented by friends they had made online.<ref name="polygon thorson" /> During a visit by {{w|Alec Holowka}}, he and Thorson participated in a local {{w|game jam}} and came up with an idea of a single-player platform game based on an out-of-shape archer trying to ascend a tower, collecting treasure and money to help with each attempt to climb it.<ref name="polygon thorson" /> They had considered pitching the idea to Adult Swim Games, but decided to expand the idea on their own, bringing in Johnston to help. The game morphed into a multiplayer battle game, where each player would try to defeat the others by shooting them with a bow-and-arrow while avoiding falling off the tower. Because of the frequent visitors to their apartment, they were able to gain feedback and improve the game to be a party-style title.<ref name="polygon thorson" /> This would ultimately become ''TowerFall'', Thorson's first major commercial game.<ref name="polygon thorson" />
Recognizing the potential success of the title, Johnston suggested that they get a house in Vancouver to bring in others to help, which they acquired around October 2012, calling it the "Indie House" and inviting other collaborators to join them. Later, Holowka recognized Thorson as ''TowerFall''<!-- a -->'s main creator and relinquished his stake as a co-creator. Holowka remained on the game's development team as its composer. ''TowerFall'' was ultimately developed as an exclusive for the {{w|Ouya}} console.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/16/5108514/is-towerfalls-move-to-ps4-and-pc-a-big-blow-for-ouya | title = Is TowerFall's move to PS4 and PC, a big blow for Ouya? | last = Campbell | first = Colin | date = 16 November 2013 | website = {{w|Polygon (website)|Polygon}} | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190530095942/https://www.polygon.com/2013/11/16/5108514/is-towerfalls-move-to-ps4-and-pc-a-big-blow-for-ouya | archive-date = 30 May 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> Following its initial release in 2013, the team reissued the game in 2014 as ''TowerFall: Ascension'' for most other gaming platforms with additional features.<ref name="polygon thorson" /> ''TowerFall: Ascension'' was critically praised, and within a month had brought in over $500,000 USD.<ref name="polygon thorson" />
[[File:Celeste team at 2018 GDC IGF Awards (40951100101).jpg|thumb|Thorson ''(centre)'' with the ''Celeste'' development team at 2018 Game Developers Conference {{w|Independent Games Festival}} Awards]]
In August 2015, Thorson and [[Noel Berry]], another member of Maddy Makes Games, had a four-day game jam to create a {{w|PICO-8}} game about climbing a mountain with difficult jumping steps. When they completed this, they recognized the opportunity to flesh out the game into a full release, forming the basis of ''Celeste''. Full work on the game started around January 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/feature_conquering_the_indie_mountain_with_celeste_creator_matt_makes_games | title = Feature: Conquering The Indie Mountain With Celeste Creator Matt Makes Games | first = Jon | last = Cousins | date = 22 January 2018 | website = {{w|Nintendo Life}} | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190219123637/http://www.nintendolife.com/news/2018/01/feature_conquering_the_indie_mountain_with_celeste_creator_matt_makes_games | archive-date = 19 February 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> The game was released across multiple platforms in January 2018. By the end of 2018, it had sold more than 500,000 copies,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://gamasutra.com/view/news/333554/Celeste_has_sold_over_500000_copies_since_January.php | title = Celeste has sold over 500,000 copies since January | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = 27 December 2018 | website = {{w|Gamasutra}} | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190714023900/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/333554/Celeste_has_sold_over_500000_copies_since_January.php | archive-date = 14 July 2019 | url-status = live}}</ref> and received numerous industry awards.
===Extremely OK Games===
[[File:Extremely ok games logo.png|thumb|right|Extremely OK Games' logo|alt=Four stylised letters of different colours arranged in 2-by-2 grid reading "EXOK"]]
On 5 September 2019, Thorson announced that she was effectively shutting down Maddy Makes Games, while re-establishing the same team under the new name "Extremely OK Games" (abbreviated EXOK). The purpose of the change was twofold. First, the new name recognized that Thorson was not the sole creative force behind the games and ensured that the whole team was fully recognized and shared in the collective output from the company. Second, the change coincided with a move to a new set of offices in Vancouver to house the entire team, which had been previously spread across the world, including some in {{w|São Paulo}}.<ref name="exok">{{cite web | url = https://gamasutra.com/view/news/350289/Celeste_developers_form_new_studio_Extremely_OK_Games.php | title = Celeste developers form new studio Extremely OK Games | first = Chris | last = Kerr | date = 6 September 2019 | website = {{w|Gamasutra}} | access-date = 6 September 2019 | archive-date = 26 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210726111043/https://gamasutra.com/view/news/350289/Celeste_developers_form_new_studio_Extremely_OK_Games.php | url-status = live }}</ref> EXOK was technically founded in March 2019, but the first six months had been spent working to move these international developers into Canada and dealing with immigration requirements.<ref name="ign march2020" /><nowiki> The "Extremely OK" name itself came from a humorous {{w|Twitter|tweet]] that operations manager Heidy Motta had seen that wished its readers an "extremely OK afternoon".</nowiki><ref name="ign march2020">{{cite web | url = https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-exok-games-the-new-old-studio-from-the-team-behind-celeste | title = Inside EXOK Games: The Brand New Studio That's Already Sold a Million Copies | first = Tom | last = Marks | date = 5 March 2020 | accessdate = 5 March 2020 | work = {{w|IGN}} | archive-date = 6 March 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200306155425/https://www.ign.com/articles/inside-exok-games-the-new-old-studio-from-the-team-behind-celeste | url-status = live }}</ref>
{{anchor|Earthblade}}
Thorson stated that ''TowerFall'' and ''Celeste'' would remain published under Maddy Makes Games, and that the team had already started the early exploratory work for their next title, codenamed "EXOK-1".<ref name="exok" /> With everyone in EXOK working in the same office, it had made development time faster, allowing them to test through multiple prototype games to come onto their next project within six months.<ref name="ign march2020" /> The team went through three prototypes (named EXOK 1 through 3) which Thorson said "ventured way too far from our comfort zone for them to realistically ever get finished", before coming up with a fourth prototype that evolved into their first game under the "Extremely OK" name, ''Earthblade'', announced in April 2021, described as an action game in a "seamless pixel art world".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/celeste-and-towerfall-studio-announces-new-action-game-set-in-seamless-pixel-art-world/ | title = Celeste and Towerfall studio announces new action game set in 'seamless pixel art world' | first = Shaun | last = Prescott | date = 19 April 2021 | accessdate = 19 April 2021 | work = {{w|PC Gamer}} | archive-date = 20 April 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210420003304/https://www.pcgamer.com/celeste-and-towerfall-studio-announces-new-action-game-set-in-seamless-pixel-art-world/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The game has tentative 2023 release date.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Hirun Cryer |date=2022-04-14 |title=Celeste dev's new game aims for a 2023 launch |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-devs-new-game-aims-for-a-2023-launch/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author1=Jordan Gerblick |date=2021-04-20 |title=Celeste studio announces Earthblade, a 2D pixel art "explor-action game" |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/celeste-studio-announces-earthblade-a-2d-pixel-art-explor-action-game/ |access-date=2022-05-09 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Thorson is [[Celeste Wiki:Trans|transgender]]<ref name="PCGamer">{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamer.com/celeste-creator-confirms-that-yes-madeline-is-trans/ | title = Celeste creator confirms that yes, Madeline is trans | first = Natalie | last = Clayton | date = 5 November 2020 | accessdate = 5 November 2020 | work = {{w|PCGamer}} | archive-date = 6 November 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201106161118/https://www.pcgamer.com/celeste-creator-confirms-that-yes-madeline-is-trans/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and goes by she/her pronouns.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |author=Thorson |first=Maddy |date= |title=Madeline Stephanie Thorson (@MaddyThorson) |url=https://twitter.com/MaddyThorson |access-date=2022-10-27 |website={{w|Twitter}}}}</ref> By around 2020, she had adopted the name Maddy Thorson over her birthname.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.polygon.com/2020/3/13/21178378/celeste-jumping-mechanics-secrets-development-maddy-thorson-platformer | title = Dev reveals the many ways their tough game secretly helps the player | first = Patricia | last = Hernandez | date = 13 March 2020 | accessdate = 4 September 2020 | work = {{w|Polygon (website)|Polygon}} | archive-date = 29 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200629070736/https://www.polygon.com/2020/3/13/21178378/celeste-jumping-mechanics-secrets-development-maddy-thorson-platformer | url-status = live }}</ref> The character of [[Madeline (Celeste)|Madeline]] in the game ''Celeste'' was shown to be transgender, which Thorson said in a later blog post reflected on her own coming-to-terms with her gender identity.<ref name="PCGamer" />
[[Category:Developers]]
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