Moon Studios Secures Full Independence, Acquires No Rest for the Wicked Publishing Rights

Moon Studios, the visionary developer behind the acclaimed Ori series, has reached a new milestone by becoming fully independent, following the purchase of publishing rights for its next major title, No Rest for the Wicked.

This significant move comes after Private Division, previously responsible for publishing the project, was sold by its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, in a move that has impacted several high-profile game releases. In a recent update posted to YouTube, Moon Studios' co-founders Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol provided insight into the transition to independence.

Mahler noted that the sale of Private Division was an unexpected development, but the team saw a unique opportunity to chart their own course.

As a result of negotiations with the former publisher, Moon Studios successfully acquired the full publishing rights to No Rest for the Wicked. "Moon Studios is now entirely independent," said Mahler in the video update.

"We’re confident that this change will reinforce your trust in our vision, as we are now free to realize No Rest for the Wicked exactly as we intend, with no need to ever go silent again." No Rest for the Wicked launched on Steam Early Access in April 2024 and has garnered a "Mostly Positive" reception from players, with steady improvements delivered through multiple patches and hotfixes.

The title’s strong performance highlights Moon Studios’ continued excellence in action RPG development, building on the legacy established by both Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. While there has been no official confirmation of a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 release at this time, Mahler previously indicated interest in bringing the game to Nintendo’s next-generation console, following its official announcement.

The enthusiastic conversation between Mahler and fans underscores ongoing demand for Moon Studios’ distinctive creative output on popular hardware platforms, including the eShop and upcoming hybrid devices. The shift comes amid broader industry movements following Take-Two Interactive's sale of Private Division to an undisclosed buyer, reportedly Texas-based Haveli Investments.

Subsequent reports revealed that Private Division’s publication portfolio, including titles like Tales of the Shire: A The Lord of the Rings Game and Game Freak’s Project Bloom, was acquired by a new studio founded by ex-Annapurna Interactive employees.

However, No Rest for the Wicked is now solely under the control of Moon Studios, exempt from these portfolio transitions. For Moon Studios, this newfound independence enables complete creative freedom and agility as they continue shaping No Rest for the Wicked’s ongoing development.

Industry observers and fans alike are watching with anticipation to see how this shift will influence both the game’s direction and the studio’s future projects. As one of the industry’s most respected independent developers, Moon Studios’ commitment to quality and player engagement remains paramount.

Stay tuned for more updates on No Rest for the Wicked, potential Nintendo platform announcements, and the continuing evolution of this celebrated studio.

Moon Studios No Rest for the Wicked Ori series