The critically acclaimed creators of Ori and Blind Forest and Ori and Will of the Wisps, Moon Studios, find themselves embroiled in controversy as their highly anticipated action-RPG No Rest for the Wicked appears increasingly unlikely to launch on Xbox Series X/S. Sources point to a clash over marketing conditions as the core issue, further fueling concerns about Microsoft's unclear console strategy.
While the game successfully launched in Early Access on PC via Steam on April 18th, 2024, its console future is murky. Despite being announced for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S alongside PC, the Xbox version now seems in serious jeopardy. Industry insider Delmonty sparked the firestorm with a revealing post on X (formerly Twitter), citing specific information about the impasse:
*"No Rest for the Wicked is skipping Xbox. Moon Studios is prioritizing PC and PS5. Microsoft has been very difficult to work with in terms of marketing agreements. They also weren’t going to allow Moon Studios to self-publish on Xbox."*
– Delmonty via X (@delmontyb)
https://x.com/delmontyb/status/1947313884584398874
This revelation has sent shockwaves through the gaming community, particularly given Moon Studios' history. Both Ori titles were critically lauded console exclusives published by Microsoft themselves (Xbox and PC). For their first self-published title to potentially skip Xbox entirely speaks volumes about the current relationship and perceived hurdles.
The core dispute reportedly centers on two key points:
- Marketing Agreements: Microsoft allegedly imposed marketing conditions that Moon Studios found unacceptable or overly restrictive for their self-published venture.
- Self-Publishing Hurdles: Delmonty claims Microsoft "wasn’t going to allow Moon Studios to self-publish on Xbox," suggesting significant barriers existed beyond typical platform certification.
The news quickly ignited discussion on gaming forums. A prominent thread on NeoGAF delves into the implications, with users expressing frustration over Microsoft's strategy and the potential loss of a major title for Xbox players
This situation underscores a growing concern: Microsoft's unclear Xbox console strategy. Recent moves, including launching major first-party titles day-one on rival PlayStation 5 (like Sea of Thieves), pivoting focus to Game Pass, and downplaying traditional console exclusivity, have left developers and consumers confused about the platform's future direction and commitment. The potential loss of No Rest for the Wicked – a high-profile game from a studio Microsoft previously nurtured – due to apparent publishing friction, is a stark example of the strategy's potential pitfalls.
When questioned by Stephen Totilo about Microsoft's evolving approach to multi-platform releases and its impact on Xbox as a console, Xbox head Phil Spencer offered a vague response: "We’re making some changes to our business, we will talk about it this year, and it’s kind of a long-term plan." This lack of concrete detail does little to reassure developers like Moon Studios or gamers invested in the Xbox ecosystem.
Neither Moon Studios nor Microsoft has issued official statements regarding No Rest for the Wicked's Xbox status since the leak. The game remains listed as "Early Access" on PC, with no confirmed release window for any console version. However, the conspicuous silence surrounding the Xbox port, combined with the credible insider report, paints a bleak picture for Xbox Series X/S owners hoping to experience Moon Studios' dark new vision.
The fate of No Rest for the Wicked on Xbox is now a critical test case. If the game ultimately skips the platform due to the reported disputes, it will serve as a potent symbol of the friction caused by Microsoft's current strategic ambiguity and potentially restrictive practices for third-party partners, especially those seeking independence. For Xbox fans, it's another worrying sign that their platform of choice might be losing its appeal for some of the industry's most talented creators.
Wild news today as No Rest for the Wicked might skip the Xbox, that just depends on what seems to make sense for the Platform... PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2 confirmed, I wonder if this is more just Xbox becoming a PC at this point or whatnot. What do you all think? pic.twitter.com/bkNTPuWBPP
— Ginger Prime ✝️ (@delmontyb) July 21, 2025
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