Featuring Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol, the video gives us a brief overview of the history of Moon Studios, including talking about its time working under Take-Two Interactive’s indie publishing label Private Division.

“Our publisher for No Rest for the Wicked was Private Division, a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive,” said Korol.

“Take-Two decided to sell off Private Division, which was unexpected news for us,” continued Mahler. “After some deliberation, we saw an opportunity.”

“After months of negotiations, we reached an agreement to buy the publishing rights for No Rest for the Wicked back, so that Moon Studios could become fully independent,” Korol explained. “This legal process took time, and we couldn’t say much while it was all happening.”

Mahler excitedly caps off the announcement by saying that “it’s all done and that Moon Studios is now fully independent.”

“We believe this will give you even more confidence in our vision, because we’re free to build No Rest for the Wicked exactly how we want, without needing to ever go silent again.”

The duo then go on to talk about the new feature for No Rest for the Wicked in the form of The Breach. Korol describes The Breach as the biggest content update for No Rest for the Wicked so far.

“We heard you loud and clear,” said Korol. “You wanted more out of our campaign. You wanted more story, more zones to play in, more enemies to fight, more bosses to test your mettle against. In short, more of everything. And that is exactly what we have been focusing on.”

With the update, the story of No Rest for the Wicked will pick up right where it left off, after Ellsworth returns to Sacrament. The relationship between Ellsworth and his daughter Odessa is also explored, with Ellsworth helping Odessa escape from her imprisonment.

The Breach will feature new zones for players to explore, and the developers have said that, with this update, the size of the game’s world is essentially being doubled. Among the zones are the Lowland Meadows, which will also feature new enemies.

The update will also brings with it new weapons in the form of Gauntlets and Wands. The Gauntlet even brings with it a host of pro-wrestling moves, like a suplex and a dropkick, along with its more fisticuffs-based moveset.

No Rest for the Wicked is available as an Early Access title on PC. Once it exits Early Access, the game is also slated for release on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. In the meantime, check out our review of the game from back when it first came out. And check out details of other content that has been added to the game through free updates.

Thomas Mahler – director on both Metroidvania hits and co-founder and CEO of developer Moon Studios – recently took to Twitter on the occasion of Ori and the Blind Forest’s 10th anniversary, and commemorated the occasion by revealing that the series has collectively sold over 15 million units worldwide across all platforms. It’s worth noting that these are sales figures, not player numbers, which means these numbers don’t account for players who jumped in via Game Pass.

Interestingly, this is the first time sales figures have been officially revealed for the Ori series. Back in 2020, it was announced that Ori and the Will of the Wisps had crossed 2.8 million players, while neither Microsoft nor Moon Studios have ever shared any specific numbers for Blind Forest.

The Ori series is available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

In other amazing news:

The Ori series has now sold more than 15 Million copies.

Not too shabby for a Metroidvania and a genre we were told is dead when we started to work on it! 👍😂

So thank you to everyone who supported us so far – MUCH LOVE! ❤️

— thomasmahler (@thomasmahler) March 11, 2025

“I have a title for it already,” said Mahler in the interview. “I have some ideas, but so far, right now, we are completely focused on No Rest for the Wicked for the time being.”

In the same interview, studio co-founder Gennadiy Korol also spoke about the Ori franchise, saying that the studio was “pretty happy with where it left off.” Korol went on to say that Ori 3 would only really be possible if the studio could come up with more of a story.

“I think we were able to complete the story of Ori,” said Korol. “It’s a complete arc now; if you play both games, it’s a complete story. So it felt like the only way we would come back to Ori 3 is if we have more to say, more story to tell.”

Moon Studios is currently at work on its upcoming title, No Rest for the Wicked. The game, an action RPG, has been described by Mahler as a “make or break moment” for the studio. Mahler has also drawn some comparisons with other titles, referring to Ori as the studio’s equivalent to Mario, and No Rest for the Wicked as its Zelda.

No Rest for the Wicked was officially unveiled back in February, and will be hitting Steam Early Access on April 18. Some of the planned content for the game was revealed back in March, and includes features like farming and multiplayer.

Taking to Twitter, Mahler recently revealed that the Ori games have collectively sold “around” 10 million units to date, which he says “probably makes it the most successful Metroidvania series ever made” (if not, it’s definitely up there as one of them). Considering the fact that both Ori titles are also available via Game Pass, its sales are doubly impressive, while its total player base is also bound to be markedly higher than its total sales count.

Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps are both available on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC, and Nintendo Switch. Moon Studios’ next game, action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, will launch in early access on Steam on April 18.

https://twitter.com/thomasmahler/status/1766818864069751139

Resident Evil 2 (2019)

Like the original, the time required to beat the Resident Evil 2 remake can be deceptive for first-time players. You can easily breeze through a single character’s story in ten hours, six if you’re good enough. However, getting the entire story requires playing as Leon and Claire, complete with exploring both routes. Still, if you want an incredible survival horror with great gunplay and visuals, this is more than a given.

Signalis

Known for its cryptic story-telling, Signalis from rose-engine is a survival horror throwback, with players investigating a strange facility for answers. Despite the overhead perspective, it has manual aiming, plenty of back-tracking and a retro aesthetic that’s gorgeous to behold. Perhaps best of all, you can finish it in less than 10 hours, though there are some additional extras and endings.

Sunset Overdrive

Before Insomniac Games became the Marvel’s Spider-Man game studio, it released Sunset Overdrive. The bombastic art style, the approach to movement and style over straightforward third-person shooting, and best of all, the enjoyable setting all made for an incredible experience. You’ll want to complete the story for its set pieces and boss fights, but there are tons of optional challenges, side quests, and collectibles in Sunset City.

Cuphead

Studio MDHR’s Cuphead is the perfect mix of challenging and run ‘n’ gun action, replete with memorable bosses. Each has unique hooks and mechanics, whether you’re fighting Grim Matchstick through the skies or experiencing Sally Stageplay’s lethal drama. It’s all brought to life by the rubber hose-style visuals rife with details and an incredible old-timey soundtrack. Even if you ignore all the secrets and Expert Mode, it’s a tough but worthwhile action platforming journey.

Mafia Definitive Edition

The Mafia series faced scrutiny when 2K Games released Definitive Editions for the second and third games, effectively introducing new bugs and worse performance. However, Mafia Definitive Edition is a proper remake that added motorcycles, a rebalanced difficulty (and Classic for those who wanted it closer to the original), and Free Ride Mode. Don’t go into this expecting a Grand Theft Auto-scale adventure, and the narrative should more than carry you through.

Metro: Last Light Redux

Before Metro Exodus offered bigger levels with crafting on the go, Metro: Last Light Redux built on what the first game did best: A post-apocalyptic setting with tout pacing, terrifying mutants and excellent gunplay. As Artyom, players are caught up in a civil war weeping the metro and must sneak, assassinate and slay their way to survival. Be careful, though, as a morality system will influence the ending.

Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus

MachineGames’ sequel to Wolfenstein: The New Order has some nagging concerns with its level design, but the story-telling, characterization and gunplay are fantastic. The campaign sees B.J. Blazkowicz on a journey, once more, to battle the Nazis by unloading copious amounts of bullets into their foot soldiers (whether you play stealthy or not). From Manhattan to Venus, there’s much to see in this epic campaign. Perhaps the only real downer is that it’s followed by Wolfenstein: Youngblood.

Super Mario Bros. Wonder

You can complete Nintendo’s acclaimed Super Mario Bros. Wonder within 10 hours or so, and that’s very much intentional. The side-scrolling platformer is rife with incredibly designed levels and excellent new power-ups like Elephant Form and the Drill Hat, while the Wonder Flowers dramatically change levels in trippy and exciting ways. Still, those who want more can collect all the Flower Coins, Wonder Seeds, and more while experimenting with different Badges.

Gears of War 3

Gears of War 2 was beloved but came dangerously close to jumping the shark at many points. Gears of War 3 brought things back on track while introducing new mechanics, weapons, enemies and impressive set-pieces to set up the potential end of the world. If you’re only in it for the story-telling, there’s more than enough great content. However, the revamped Horde Mode and its tower defense-like mechanics also provided plenty of reason to stick around.

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

From a confused project under Kojima Productions to one of the most beloved hack-and-slash titles under PlatinumGames, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance is unmatched in many ways. The boss battles, the characters, the story, the memes, the parry mechanics and Blade Mode allowing players to dismember enemies – it all came together so well. Its length was criticized, but those who want more nowadays can pick it up with all the DLC and armor sets for even more fun.

Dishonored

Dishonored is Arkane Studios at its finest. An imaginative setting with astounding visuals rife with political intrigue and betrayal, not to mention a plague threatening to overtake it all – perfect for a supernatural assassin. As Corvo, the framed bodyguard to the slain Queen of Dunwall, players were tasked with discovering the truth. It meant lots of sneaking and slaying, but you could get creative with your approach, acting chaotically or bypassing missions without ever being seen. It’s an essential title for stealth fans that’s as tightly paced as they come.

Ori and the Blind Forest

As beloved as games like Hollow Knight can be, it’s nice to have options that don’t demand around 30 hours to experience the story, like Ori and the Blind Forest. Of course, it also doesn’t hurt that the aesthetics and music are simply awe-inspiring or that the level design is meticulous and the controls responsive. Whether on a mission to restore the forest or going out of your way to unearth all its secrets, Ori and the Blind Forest is a tight-knit journey.

Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice

With Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 being about as long as the first game and promising a focused narrative, it’s easy to forget just how great Senua’s Sacrifice is. Roughly six years later, it still boasts cutting-edge visuals and facial expressions with an emotional narrative centred on Senua’s tortured state. Hellblade is precise, unforgettable and powerful, telling its story without overstaying its welcome.

Batman: The Enemy Within

Before its bankruptcy and eventual reformation, Telltale Games’ titles varied in quality. Batman: The Enemy Within is a standout though, improving on the first season’s writing, narrative and decision-making. Its take on the Joker is surprisingly refreshing as he works with Batman as a vigilante, depending on the player’s choices or against him. The gameplay may still feel more rigid compared to some more contemporary narrative adventures, but Batman: The Enemy Within is still worth playing.

Quantum Break

Will a standard playthrough of Quantum Break offer all the answers for its time-bending adventure? Probably not, but it’s an enjoyable journey regardless, backed by Remedy Entertainment’s penchant for gorgeous graphics and an immaculate presentation. Opinions are mixed on the TV side of the story, yet the third-person combat and abilities are on point. It’s not Remedy’s finest work, but it still provides an intriguing narrative with some solid performances by Aiden Gillen and Shawn Ashmore.

Ori and the Blind Forest

Moon Studios’ acclaimed game had its share of aggravating platforming, accentuated by its checkpoint system. While you had normal save spots, energy could be spent on creating checkpoints anywhere. During difficult sections, you may forget to make a checkpoint or not have enough energy to create one. Thankfully, the sequel forgoes this for a more traditional auto-save and checkpoint system.

Now, more Xbox first party games have received the “Steam Deck Verified” tag, which denotes the highest level of compatibility for a game on the device. As announced in an update published on Steam, this new batch includes Fable Anniversary, Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition, Halo Wars: Definitive Edition, Killer Instinct, Kalimba, Halo: Spartan Strike, and Rush: A Disney–Pixar Adventure.

Meanwhile, a handful of new games have also been given the “Playable” tag, which, as you may have guessed, means that though these games are playable on the Steam Deck, they haven’t been fully optimized for the device. The new batch of Playable games includes Gears Tactics, Minecraft Dungeons, Deadlight, and Halo: Spartan Assault.

Microsoft’s been announcing new batches of games at a steady clip until now, so hopefully it won’t be long before more games join the list. Stay tuned for future updates.

While previously, Thomas Mahler – co-founder of Moon Studios and director of the Ori games – said that the reason behind that was wanting to release a multiplatform title for a larger audience and having full control and ownership of their IP, it seems there may have been other reasons at play as well.

Shortly after the aforementioned VentureBeat report was published, Windows Central journalist Jez Corden took to Twitter to corroborate it, and also added that Moon Studios’ co founders – Gennadiy Korol and the aforementioned Thomas Mahler – “resorted to personal attacks and bullying towards Xbox’s team” and “burned all bridges” with them.

Meanwhile, journalist Jeff Grubb also said on a recent episode of the GamesBeat Decides podcast (transcribed over on ResetEra) that Microsoft was very much aware of the internal issues at Moon Studios, and once development on Ori and the Will of the Wisps had wrapped up, decided not to work with the developer again.

“Microsoft is well aware of what this company is like, and when they got done with Ori 2 there is a reason that Private Division is publishing their next game and not Microsoft,” Grubb said. “I was told this explicitly this morning, that Microsoft was aware and everyone understood that that’s what this company is like. And so, it’s clearly not the kind of thing where it’s like ‘Oh, this is just a couple of jokes happening on Discord.’ This studio had a reputation and it was hurting them financially, because they had to take a deal with Private Division instead of another big deal with MS and that affects everyone at that company.”

Stay tuned to GamingBolt for more updates on this story.

I can corroborate much of @deantak's reporting on Moon Studios. I was told Moon founders resorted to personal attacks/bullying towards Xbox's teams, burned all bridges.

Spoke with @Rand_al_Thor_19 on Xbox Two that I didn't think MS would work with Moon again, this stuff is why. https://t.co/mm8Ax5298b

— Jez (@JezCorden) March 18, 2022

The report, based on interviews with several current and former developers who worked at Moon Studios, describes the inappropriate conduct that the team’s co-founders Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol routinely exhibit, including inappropriate jokes and languages, inability to give feedback, bullying, casual racism, sexism, and generally inappropriate behaviour.

As per these accounts, this has led to many who came into Moon Studios expecting an entirely different environment to have left with varying degrees of effects, with several stating that their time at the studio left them with burnout, and physical and mental health issues.

“It’s an oppressive workplace, for sure,” one developer said. “But it’s hard to pinpoint one thing because, in isolation, all of these incidents, if they happen once, you would think they are small things. When you’re dealing with that for [multiple] years, you’re going to see the decline of people’s mental health. I can say that for myself, personally, I was properly messed up after we finished. I’ve never been depressed until that moment. I lost my passion for my job because they drummed it out of me.”

Moon Studios has been an all-remote studio since even before the pandemic hit, but former developers have talked about how the aforementioned studios heads, Mahler and Korol, frequently use explicit, aggressive, and even hateful language in group chats, meetings, and servers, with each other and other employees.

“It’s not helpful. It can create animosity in the workplace and a bit of a power dynamic where you have somebody calling your stuff shit in a group chat of 50 people,” one dev said. “If you have a problem with the work, praise in public and admonish in private. That kind of philosophy didn’t really fly at Moon.”

In his criticisms, Mahler would often allegedly call employees “failed aborptions”, and told one developer that their work “made him want to vomit”- and these criticisms and messages would be shared in chats and servers with the entire Moon Studios team.

“In Skype chats, they would say ‘you ***ing idiot’ and things like that on an hourly basis,” one developer said. “This is the flow for how they communicated. It is far worse at Moon than any other project I’ve been on.”

Praise, meanwhile, is very rarely given out, while criticism comes in the form of harsh, sexist, or racist language. “The founders take a hard line on dishing out praise,” one developer said. “They are very stingy with it. They use a lot of language that gets interpreted as sexist, racist, anti-semitic, and whatever there is.”

“The casual racism is pretty bad,” said another. “There’s a whole bank of material that can be construed as comedic, but none of it’s appropriate in a workplace environment.”

“The result of that over a long period of time is you see how aggressive the founders are and you’re worried about speaking out because you’re worried you might get shouted at,” another dev said. “When they asked if anyone wanted to mention something at the end of a meeting, it would often be dead silence.”

Some former devs have stated that upon being hired by Moon Studios, games that they had previously worked on would be criticized in front of them.

“He crapped on the game I worked on and he is hiring me because of that game,” one developer said. “In hindsight, I should have seen the signs that this was a weird place.”

“You leave them on an insecure footing from the start,” says another. “Those moments chip away at people.”

“I think one of the worst things about the studio is that it was very toxic. Never mind how they treat each other. It’s how they treat other members of the studio,” says one developer. “They argue with each other, using incredibly aggressive, vile, toxic language in the whole company group chat. It’s like you have a big office and like having a massive shouting match with the head of the company.”

According to many, having a strictly flat and anti-corporate structure is one of Moon Studios’ core values, but the studio’s two heads have allegedly used the being able to communicate freely and without censorship as a guise for being aggressive, explicit, and volatile, with remarks that are often demeaning, racist, and sexist.

“They have a mentality where they think they’re not politically correct, they don’t want to be censored, they don’t want to be corporate,” one former dev said. “They don’t want to be like these other studios. But it’s just a justification to behave in any way they want to. Other studios attempt to make a comfortable work environment for everyone involved.”

Something else that the studio’s leadership has been criticized for is an inability to give feedback to employees. “Thomas [Mahler] is terrible at giving feedback. He just doesn’t know how to do it,” one developer said. “His feedback is just, ‘This is shit.’ He is self-taught and does not have the vocabulary to do it.” This has also been partially responsible for severe crunch, with significant chunks of development having to be redone or getting scrapped, with allegedly no overtime pay.

“I wasn’t happy at the studio, I was really bad mentally, physically,” one developer said. “I was working like seven days a week for months.”

“When you are asking to deliver X, that is impossible in eight hours,” another said. “It’s one of the biggest fallacies really. There was pressure for doing all this crunch, but it was not easy to escape it.”

Meanwhile, many problems have also seemingly arisen with the next game Moon Studios is working on, an action RPG that is meant to be much more violent, dark, and brooding in tone than the Ori games. The tonal whiplash has also led to many who had previously worked on Ori to depart the studio, not believing the next project is something they have to work on.

Several developers also reveal that Mahler wanted a rape scene in the game, which would see the protagonist getting raped, in turn fueling her primary motivation for revenge in the story. The development team protested against the idea and pushed back against having it in the game, and though Mahler ultimately backed down, it only happened after weeks of arguments.

“We were saying this is a terrible idea,” one developer said. “Thomas [Mahler] said he wanted something edgy.”

Shortly after VentureBeat’s report went live, Franciska Csongrady – who was a narrative designer at Moon Studios for two years before leaving in September 2021 – took to Twitter to corroborate the report. She wrote: “I worked at Moon Studios for two years. I was the only woman on the story team. I struggle to find the words to express what a soul-destroying experience it was to work with the heads of the studio, Thomas and Gennadiy. The whole studio is built on the lie that quality justifies everything. Verbal abuse. Crunch. Public humiliation. But it just wears you down, and burns you out. Burnt out people do not produce quality.”

It was confirmed in July 2020 that Moon Studios’ next game will be published by Private Division.

This physical retail version of the game can be pre-ordered through iam8bit though it should be available with other retailers worldwide as well. Ori and the Blind Forest, the first game in the series, introduces players to the gorgeously animated world as they follow Ori’s journey. Despite its charming aesthetic, the title presents a fairly deep Metroidvania structure along with some devious challenges.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the follow-up, and sees Ori making a new owl friend and venturing through Niwen on a new quest. Along with improvements to its upgrade and checkpoint systems, it offers even better visuals, tighter gameplay and tougher boss fights. For more details, check out our review here.