Moon Studios
Moon Studios business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Ori 3 Rumors Are “Nonsense,” Claims Moon Studios CEO
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler has dismissed rumors of a new Ori title as "nonsense," stating that the studio would develop a third game if given the go-ahead by Microsoft. While some insiders suggested Saber Interactive might be involved and an announcement could be imminent, Mahler clarified that the decision is not up to his studio. The last game in the series, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, was released in 2020.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time leaker says Xbox is working on a new Ori game, 6 years after its last excellent…
A prominent leaker suggests that Xbox is working on a new installment in the Ori series, a franchise known for its Metroidvania gameplay and stunning visuals. The original developer, Moon Studios, is currently focused on their ARPG 'No Rest for the Wicked', indicating an external studio may be involved in the new Ori project.
"Rockstar literally just spent over a billion dollars": Ori studio founder wants you to stop demanding 60 FPS on Xbox Series S just because GTA 6 can run on it
Moon Studios founder Thomas Mahler criticized players demanding 60 FPS on the Xbox Series S, using Grand Theft Auto 6 as a benchmark. He highlighted the vast difference in resources between Rockstar Games and smaller studios, emphasizing that GTA 6's performance is not a guaranteed standard for all games on the console. Mahler also pointed out the technical limitations of the Xbox Series S compared to PC hardware like the Steam Deck.
Forza Horizon 5 Creative Director Says Xbox Game Pass Was “A Good Idea”
Former Forza Horizon 5 creative director Mike Brown believes Xbox Game Pass was a good concept that ultimately failed due to insufficient subscriber numbers needed to sustain its business model. He expressed sadness over the potential studio closures and job losses resulting from this outcome. Brown also defended Xbox employees amidst criticism and recent layoffs, emphasizing that the core idea of Game Pass was player-focused, though it did not reach the scale required to justify major acquisitions like Activision Blizzard.
Ori creator declares Xbox Game Pass a mediocre slop factory that's 'a little like Communism'
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler criticized Xbox Game Pass, calling it a 'mediocre slop factory' and comparing its strategy to Communism. He argued that the service lacks sufficient compelling exclusive titles to justify its subscription cost, leading to a decline in subscribers after a price increase. Mahler also expressed disappointment with the quality of recent first-party Xbox releases, citing Starfield as an example of a game that failed to meet expectations.
Ori Studio Head Says Game Pass Would Have Worked if Xbox Could “Understand What’s a Good Game”
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler believes Xbox Game Pass could have succeeded if Microsoft had focused on quality over quantity, comparing it unfavorably to premium streaming services. He criticized Xbox's first-party output, citing Starfield as an example of a game that failed to meet the potential of its predecessor, and suggested that Xbox leadership needs a better understanding of what constitutes a "good game" to truly connect with gamers.
Canceled Project Blackbird May Have Been Perfect Replacement For Destiny, Insider Says
Insider reports suggest Microsoft's canceled action-RPG MMO, Project Blackbird, could have been a successful replacement for Destiny 2. Developed by the ZeniMax team, the game was reportedly canceled in mid-2025 due to financial reasons, despite positive internal feedback. Its cancellation is seen as a missed opportunity for Xbox to fill a void in the live-service market.
Ori Dev CEO Says Xbox Was Too Focused On Protecting Its Legacy To Build Its Future
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler believes Xbox's focus on legacy intellectual properties like Halo, Gears of War, and Forza hindered its ability to cultivate new talent and games. He suggests that Xbox should prioritize empowering creative individuals and teams who understand the gaming audience, rather than relying solely on nostalgia.
PlayStation State of Play June 2026: What Actually Matters to Adult Gamers
Sony's June 2026 State of Play showcased numerous upcoming games for the PlayStation 5, with a focus on titles relevant to adult gamers. Highlights include Insomniac Games' Marvel's Wolverine, Moon Studios' No Rest for the Wicked, and Santa Monica Studio's God of War Laufey. The event also featured new looks at Stuntman: Hollywood, Dune: Awakening, and a packed release schedule for Fall 2026, culminating in the highly anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
Vampire Survivors has a free content expansion, plus a Legacy of the Bloodmoon DLC in Summer 2026
Developer poncle has released a free content update for Vampire Survivors, version 1.15, which includes major quality-of-life improvements, new content like stages and characters, and various tweaks. Additionally, the 'Legacy of the Bloodmoon' DLC was announced for Summer 2026, serving as an expansion to 'Legacy of the Moonspell'. poncle also revealed plans for a new studio in Japan headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and a lineup of 'Survivaton' games.
Ori devs say No Rest for the Wicked will take time to come to Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox
Moon Studios has stated that No Rest for the Wicked will require additional optimization time for the Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S due to memory constraints. While PC, Steam Deck, and PlayStation 5 are confirmed for an October launch, the developers aim to ensure a high-quality experience across all platforms before releasing on the other consoles.
No Rest for the Wicked dröjer till Xbox – på grund av Series S
No Rest for the Wicked's 1.0 release is delayed on Xbox and Nintendo Switch, with the PC and PlayStation 5 versions launching in October. Moon Studios co-founder Thomas Mahler cited the limitations of the Xbox Series S as a primary reason for the delay, stating that optimizing for the less powerful console makes development challenging. The studio previously expressed concerns about prioritizing the Xbox platform due to a smaller player base compared to PlayStation.
No Rest for the Wicked dev explains why the Nintendo Switch 2 version is coming later
Moon Studios' Thomas Mahler explained that the delayed Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S versions of No Rest for the Wicked require more intensive optimization due to smaller memory budgets. The developer aims to ensure a high-quality experience on all platforms rather than releasing a compromised version.
No Rest for the Wicked Developer Blames Series S for Xbox Release Delay
Moon Studios, the developer of the action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, has cited the Xbox Series S as the reason for a delay in the game's Xbox release. The team is reportedly facing challenges optimizing the game for the less powerful console.
Xbox Series S is still a problem for devs, No Rest for the Wicked boss says it's the reason the PS5 version is out first: "Series S and mobile specs aren't too far apart at this point"
The upcoming console release of No Rest for the Wicked is reportedly delayed on Xbox platforms due to the technical limitations of the Xbox Series S. Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler stated that the Series S requires significant optimization, comparing its specs to mobile devices. The game is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and PC in October, with Xbox and Nintendo Switch versions to follow.
No Rest for the Wicked Comes to PS5 Before Xbox, But It's Not Some Shady Exclusivity Deal
No Rest for the Wicked will launch on PlayStation 5 in October, with its console release initially exclusive to the platform. Developer Moon Studios clarified that this is not a shady exclusivity deal with Sony, but rather a result of optimization challenges, particularly with the underpowered Xbox Series S. The game will be released on Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch at a later date once development and optimization are complete.
No Rest for the Wicked 1.0 launches on PS5 and PC in October – Xbox and Switch 2 are still to come
Moon Studios announced that No Rest for the Wicked will launch its 1.0 version in October for PC and PlayStation 5, with Xbox and Nintendo Switch 2 versions to follow. The full release will add over 60 hours of new content, including new areas, bosses, enemies, a horde mode, and a revamped class system. Founders who purchase before July 10th on PC or pre-order on PS5 will receive exclusive in-game items and a custom tag.
Ori developers new game No Rest for the Wicked coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Moon Studios' hack and slash title, No Rest for the Wicked, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2. The game, also known for the Ori series, is scheduled for a full 1.0 release on PC and PlayStation 5 in October, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version to follow at a later date.
All Major State of Play June 2026 Announcements
Sony's June 2026 State of Play showcase featured numerous game announcements and trailers. Highlights include God of War Laufey, Marvel's Wolverine gameplay, Until Dawn 2, and release dates for games like Rayman Legends Retold and Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis. Several titles, including ILL and KEMURI, received new trailers and release windows for 2027.
Everything Announced at the PlayStation State of Play 2026
Sony's PlayStation State of Play 2026 showcased upcoming titles for the PlayStation 5, including Marvel's Wolverine, Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls, and a remake of Rayman Legends. New games like Bancho the Chef, Kemuri, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis, The Lost Wild, Phantom Blade Zero, Dune Awakening, Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Edition Remaster, No Rest for the Wicked, Onimusha: Way of the Sword, Silent Hill Townfall, and Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve were also revealed with release windows and details.
