Beyond the Whispering Woods: Setting the Record Straight on the Future of Moon Studios

For fans of the Ori series, the last few years have been characterized by a blend of profound admiration for the franchise’s artistic achievements and a persistent, hungry curiosity regarding the future. The Metroidvania genre was forever altered by the arrival of Ori and the Blind Forest and its emotionally resonant successor, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. However, recent online speculation suggesting a third installment in the series has been firmly silenced by the studio’s leadership.

Thomas Mahler, CEO and founder of Moon Studios, has officially stepped forward to address the growing fervor, labeling rumors of an Ori 3 as "nonsense." As the industry turns its gaze toward the studio’s current ambitions, it is worth examining the history of this beloved series, the reality of the current development landscape, and what the future holds for the team behind one of modern gaming’s most visually stunning experiences.

The Genesis of the Rumor Mill

The spark for the recent wave of speculation originated on community-driven forums, most notably ResetEra. In an industry where "leaks" and "insider reports" are often treated as gospel, a stray comment or a misinterpreted thread can quickly spiral into an accepted narrative. For several weeks, fans debated the possibility of a third title, fueled by the enduring popularity of the first two games and a general desire to see the world of Nibel and Niwen expanded once more.

However, these rumors failed to account for the pivot Moon Studios undertook years ago. As Mahler clarified in his social media address, the studio is currently entirely occupied with the demanding task of refining and expanding No Rest for the Wicked, their ambitious action-RPG. The rumors, while perhaps born of genuine passion from the player base, were entirely disconnected from the operational reality at Moon Studios.

Chronology: From Enchanted Forests to Gritty Action-RPGs

To understand why the Ori 3 rumor gained such traction, one must look at the meteoric rise of the studio.

• 2015: The Breakthrough. Moon Studios released Ori and the Blind Forest. It was a critical and commercial darling, praised for its watercolor aesthetics, tight platforming, and an emotional score by Gareth Coker that set a new benchmark for indie titles.
• 2020: The Sequel. Ori and the Will of the Wisps launched on Xbox and PC. While it achieved massive critical acclaim for its expanded combat systems and deeper narrative, its initial launch was marred by technical performance issues—a common hurdle for titles pushing the visual fidelity limits of hardware.
• 2020–2022: Expansion and Controversy. Following the success of the second title, the studio brought the series to the Nintendo Switch, proving the scalability of their engine. During this same period, however, the studio faced intense public scrutiny following a 2022 report that alleged a "toxic workplace environment" and systemic mismanagement. Both Mahler and co-founder Gennadiy Korol vehemently denied these characterizations.
• 2024: The Pivot. Moon Studios launched No Rest for the Wicked into Steam Early Access. A stark departure from the fluid platforming of Ori, the game introduced a darker, grittier isometric perspective with deep RPG mechanics.
• 2025/2026: The Road to 1.0. As the studio approaches the full 1.0 release of No Rest for the Wicked for PC and PlayStation 5, the focus remains exclusively on this project, effectively closing the door on any active development for an Ori sequel.

Official Responses and the "Gareth Coker" Anecdote

The most authoritative word on the matter comes directly from Thomas Mahler. In his statement on X (formerly Twitter), he did more than just debunk the rumors; he provided a rare, humanizing glimpse into the studio’s internal culture.

Mahler revealed that he recently hosted Gareth Coker—the composer whose music became the heartbeat of the Ori series—at his home in Vienna. Even the man responsible for the series’ iconic soundscapes expressed a desire to return to that world. Mahler recounted that Coker told him, "It’s time," suggesting that even those closest to the project feel the pull of the franchise. Yet, despite this emotional resonance, the studio remains committed to its new path. Mahler’s firm rebuttal—"I can confirm that the Ori 3 rumors are nonsense"—serves as a definitive boundary between the studio’s past and its future.

Analyzing the "No Rest for the Wicked" Trajectory

The shift in focus from Ori to No Rest for the Wicked is a high-stakes gamble. Ori was a refined, polished genre staple. No Rest for the Wicked represents a radical departure in design, leaning into the complexity of soulslike combat and persistent RPG systems.

The early days of the game’s Early Access launch were, by most accounts, "shaky." Players encountered frame-rate dips, balance issues, and technical bugs that tested the patience of the community. However, the trajectory of the game over the last two years provides a compelling case study in modern live-service development. Through consistent, transparent, and significant updates, the developers managed to claw back player sentiment. Today, the game boasts a "mostly positive" rating on Steam, a testament to the studio’s willingness to listen to feedback and iterate rapidly. The upcoming 1.0 release is poised to be a turning point, signaling whether Moon Studios can successfully transition from a platforming powerhouse to a versatile RPG developer.

Implications for the Industry and the Future

The death of the Ori 3 rumor carries several implications for the broader gaming landscape:

1. The Burden of "Indie" Success

When an indie studio creates a "perfect" series like Ori, the pressure to continue that success can be stifling. Moon Studios’ refusal to churn out a third entry simply for the sake of profit is, in a way, a sign of creative integrity. Many developers are trapped in cycles of sequels; choosing to walk away from a beloved IP to try something entirely new is a difficult, often dangerous, move.

2. The Power of Early Access

The narrative arc of No Rest for the Wicked highlights the importance of the Early Access model. By launching in a "shaky" state and spending two years refining the experience based on community data, Moon Studios has transformed a potential failure into a growing success. It serves as a reminder that the launch version of a game is increasingly becoming just the beginning of a conversation between developer and player.

3. The Future of Moon Studios

If No Rest for the Wicked hits its 1.0 milestones successfully, it will cement the studio’s reputation as a multi-genre powerhouse. However, it also raises the question of whether the Ori IP will remain dormant indefinitely. While Mahler has effectively killed the current rumors, the gaming industry is fluid. Intellectual properties rarely stay in the vault forever. Whether Moon Studios eventually returns to the forest of Nibel remains a question for the distant future, but for now, the message is clear: the developers are looking forward, not back.

Conclusion

The rumor of Ori 3 was a comforting ghost—a whisper of a return to a magical world that many players are not yet ready to leave. Yet, the reality of the game development industry is one of constant evolution. Thomas Mahler’s candid, albeit blunt, confirmation ensures that fans can manage their expectations and perhaps turn their focus toward the next chapter of Moon Studios’ story.

As the industry prepares for the 1.0 launch of No Rest for the Wicked in October, the focus for both the developers and the audience should be on the current challenge. Creating a masterpiece is difficult; creating two is a feat. Whether Moon Studios can replicate the magic of their early success in a completely different genre remains the defining narrative of their current era. For now, the woods of Ori remain quiet, preserved as they are, while the studio marches toward a new, potentially equally compelling horizon.