The gaming community was set abuzz over the weekend as rumors circulated about a potential third installment in the beloved Ori franchise, but the series creator has moved quickly to pour cold water on the speculation. Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Studios and the creative force behind the critically acclaimed Ori games, has publicly dismissed reports of a new entry in the franchise as ‘nonsense,’ creating an intriguing situation as industry insiders continue to suggest otherwise.
The controversy began when social media was flooded with speculation about an unannounced Xbox game potentially making an appearance at this week’s Gamescom event in Cologne, Germany. NateTheHate, a well-known industry insider with a proven track record of accurately reporting on unannounced video game projects, claimed that the mystery title was indeed a new Ori game. However, the insider couldn’t confirm whether the game would actually be revealed during the annual gaming showcase.
The Ori Franchise: A Modern Classic
The Ori series has established itself as one of the most artistically significant franchises in modern gaming. The first game, Ori and the Blind Forest, launched in 2015 to widespread critical acclaim, earning praise for its stunning hand-painted visuals, emotionally resonant storytelling, and challenging Metroidvania-style gameplay. The game follows Ori, a small guardian spirit, on a journey through a dying forest to restore balance and save the world. Its sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, released in 2020 and was considered even more refined, featuring expanded combat mechanics and an equally touching narrative.
Both games were developed by Moon Studios, an Austrian-based independent developer, and published by Xbox Game Studios. The partnership was highly successful, with the Ori games becoming flagship titles for Xbox and demonstrating the platform’s commitment to artistic, narrative-driven experiences. The series has sold millions of copies and won numerous awards, including several Game Awards nominations and wins for art direction and music composition. The orchestral soundtrack, composed by Gareth Coker, became particularly celebrated among fans and critics alike.
The Complicated Relationship Between Moon Studios and Xbox
The situation surrounding a potential Ori 3 is complicated by the evolving relationship between Moon Studios and Xbox. Following the release of Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Moon Studios moved on to develop No Rest for the Wicked, a dark action RPG published by Private Division that entered early access in 2024. This marked a significant departure for the studio, both in terms of genre and publishing partnership. Thomas Mahler has been vocal in interviews about wanting to explore new creative directions, suggesting that Moon Studios may have moved beyond the Ori universe.
However, it’s important to note that Xbox Game Studios owns the Ori intellectual property, not Moon Studios. This means Microsoft has the legal right to continue the franchise with or without the involvement of the original creators. This wouldn’t be unprecedented in the gaming industry – many beloved franchises have continued under new development teams when original creators moved on to other projects. The question remains whether Xbox would pursue such a path for a franchise so closely associated with its original creative team.
What Could Gamescom Reveal?
Gamescom remains one of the largest gaming events in the world, regularly attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees and serving as a major platform for industry announcements. Xbox has historically used the event to unveil significant titles and updates, making it a logical venue for any major franchise announcement. The speculation around an Ori reveal comes at a time when Xbox is actively working to strengthen its first-party lineup and expand its portfolio of exclusive experiences.
Gaming industry analysts have noted that a new Ori game could serve multiple strategic purposes for Microsoft. It would provide a family-friendly, artistically distinct title to complement the company’s more action-oriented offerings, while also leveraging an established brand with strong critical recognition. Whether such a project would involve Moon Studios in any capacity, or whether it would be developed by an entirely new team, remains unclear. Thomas Mahler’s dismissive response suggests that if a new Ori game is indeed in development, it’s happening without his direct involvement or knowledge.
Expert Opinion: The disconnect between insider reports and the original creator’s denial suggests that Xbox may indeed be exploring options for continuing the Ori franchise independently. Given Microsoft’s ownership of the IP and their recent aggressive expansion of first-party development capacity, a new Ori game developed by a different studio remains plausible. However, whether such a project could capture the artistic vision that made the originals so special without Moon Studios’ involvement remains the critical question facing any potential continuation.
