Moon Studios, the acclaimed team behind the Ori series, may not be bringing its latest action RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, to Xbox Series X/S at launch. Despite a long-standing relationship between the studio and Xbox, comments from Moon Studios’ CEO suggest Xbox players may have to wait longer than their PlayStation and (potentially) Nintendo counterparts to step into the dark fantasy world of their newest adventure.
Wait, no Xbox delease? Yep, at least not tet
Here’s where things get tricky. In a recent message shared on the official No Rest for the Wicked Discord server, Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler stated that the game might “only release on PS5 and potentially Switch 2 for the time being.”
Citing “current market conditions” as the key factor, Mahler’s statement seems to hint at the relatively slow adoption rate of Xbox Series consoles. Although no direct shade was thrown at Xbox itself, this comment implies that PS5 and Switch 2 offer more promising returns, at least during the initial console launch window.
What happened to that Xbox partnership?
Now, this might come as a shock to fans who’ve followed Moon Studios since Ori and the Blind Forest put them on the map back in 2015. That game — and its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020) — were both darling exclusives hailed for their emotional depth, tight platforming, and stunning art direction. It made perfect sense, then, that Xbox Series X/S was originally listed as a launch platform when No Rest for the Wicked was announced in late 2023.
Moon Studios is independent now, and that changes things
Since going fully independent in March 2025, Moon Studios is now self-funding No Rest for the Wicked. That means every decision made, especially around which platforms to target, has a direct impact on finances and development roadmap. So, yeah, you can bet they’re gonna be ultra-selective with where the game lands first.
That’s not to say Xbox is completely off the table. Mahler clarified that Moon Studios would still need to “discuss things with Microsoft to see what makes sense for Xbox.” Translation? It’s complicated, but not hopeless.
This isn’t the first time Xbox got left waiting
Honestly, this wouldn’t be the first time Xbox users have been made to sit tight. Remember the Black Myth: Wukong launch drama? That game hit PS5 and PC first in 2024, leaving Xbox players wondering if a secret exclusivity deal was in play. Turns out, it was just the Xbox Series S causing issues again, and Game Science eventually confirmed an Xbox launch for August 23, 2025.
So, while disappointing, delayed Xbox launches aren’t exactly uncommon these days, especially when technical hurdles or market factors get in the way.
What’s the game about, anyway?
For those just tuning in, No Rest for the Wicked is an isometric action RPG set in a plague-ridden medieval world. It mixes brutal combat with exploration, drawing comparisons to titles like Dark Souls and Diablo. The game first entered early access on PC and has been undergoing constant updates as Moon Studios fine-tunes its core loop and narrative experience.
Xbox still has a shot, but it’s not a lock
If you’re an Xbox player eagerly waiting for No Rest for the Wicked, there’s still a light at the end of the hallway, but there’s no definitive release date or confirmation yet. With Moon Studios now balancing independence and financial stability, platform choices are tied more closely to potential profit than ever before.
For now, it looks like PS5 owners (and maybe Switch 2 players) will get first dibs. Xbox fans? You might just have to channel your inner Ori and be patient in the shadows until further notice.