Ori Dev Skips Xbox for New Soulslike RPG Console Launch
▼ Summary
– No Rest for the Wicked, a Soulslike action-RPG by Moon Studios, is likely to release on PlayStation 5 first due to current market conditions.
– Xbox will be last in line for the game’s console release, despite Moon Studios’ history with Xbox exclusives like the Ori series.
– Moon Studios CEO Thomas Mahler clarified that the game will eventually come to Xbox but prioritized PS5 and potentially Switch 2 initially.
– PS5’s higher sales (around 80 million units) compared to Xbox Series X/S (less than half that) make it a more logical first choice for console release.
– Microsoft has sought feedback from developers about why some games skip Xbox, highlighting the platform’s declining appeal in the market.
Fans eagerly awaiting the console release of No Rest for the Wicked may need to adjust their expectations, as the Soulslike action-RPG is likely to debut on PlayStation 5 first, with Xbox potentially coming later. Moon Studios, the developer behind the beloved Ori series, recently hinted at this staggered launch strategy, citing current market conditions as a key factor in their decision-making process.
During a Discord discussion, Moon CEO Thomas Mahler clarified that while No Rest for the Wicked will eventually arrive on Xbox, the team is prioritizing PS5 and possibly Nintendo’s upcoming Switch 2 for its initial console rollout. Mahler emphasized that PlayStation’s larger install base makes it the logical first choice, though he reassured Xbox fans the game isn’t being abandoned entirely.
The numbers paint a clear picture. PS5 has sold roughly 80 million units, dwarfing Xbox Series X/S estimates, which sit below half that figure. Meanwhile, the Switch 2’s explosive launch suggests Nintendo’s platform will remain a dominant force. For a studio balancing limited resources, prioritizing the most active player bases is simply smart business.
What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is Moon Studios’ deep ties to Xbox. Both Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, were originally Xbox exclusives before later appearing on Switch. The studio’s pivot to PlayStation as its lead console partner marks a significant shift, one that reflects broader industry trends.
Microsoft has openly acknowledged the challenges, even reaching out to developers last year for feedback on how to improve Xbox’s appeal. Yet, with fewer studios opting for simultaneous multi-platform releases, the console’s struggles appear far from over.
For now, Xbox players may need to exercise patience. No Rest for the Wicked’s dark fantasy world will open its doors to them eventually, just not before PlayStation and Nintendo fans get their turn.
(Source: kotaku)
