Ori and the Will of the Wisps creator Moon Studios has announced that the full launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will now take place in March 2027. The game originally entered early‑access in April 2024 with a planned 1.0 release for October 2026, but the studio has decided to grant itself additional development time to fine‑tune the experience. As of July 2026, No Rest for the Wicked has already moved two million copies, a strong showing for a title that is still technically in its testing phase. Moon Studios told the community that the project is "close" to being finished, yet they emphasized that "close isn’t good enough" for the definitive launch version.
The studio’s leadership explained that, because they are a relatively small team, they hold their products to a level of polish and performance that they are unwilling to compromise. "The honest truth is that we're a small team, and we're holding our games to a standard we won't compromise on," the statement read.
"The extra time will help us improve performance, tighten the class system, and polish the whole game to the standard you all deserve. We'd rather take a few more months than ship something that we know isn't quite perfect yet." In practical terms, the delay will allow Moon Studios to address lingering technical issues, refine the intricate class mechanics that form the backbone of the gameplay, and add the final touches that transform a good game into a memorable one. The studio also promised a series of additional beta windows, both closed and open, over the coming months. These sessions will give players the chance to dive deeper into the world, provide feedback, and directly influence the final shape of the 1.0 build.
The next open beta is slated for December 2026, and anyone who purchases No Rest for the Wicked before 1 January 2027 will be granted a "Founders Pack" as a token of appreciation for supporting the title during its early‑access phase. This package includes exclusive cosmetic items, in‑game currency, and early access to certain classes, reinforcing the studio’s commitment to rewarding its most dedicated fans.
PlayStation enthusiasts can look forward to pre‑order options launching in January 2027, which will also unlock the same Founders Pack rewards for console players. This coordinated rollout ensures that both PC and console communities receive equal treatment and incentives. In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler gave a candid update on the development timeline.
He described the team’s recent months as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and bring all the planned 1.0 features into the game. Mahler stressed that extensive play‑testing has revealed that the product is still a few steps short of the studio’s lofty aspirations. "We've been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we're not quite there yet," Mahler said.
He traced the origins of No Rest for the Wicked back to its first prototypes in 2016, noting that the project has been a long‑term labor of love. With only a handful of months remaining before the intended launch window, the team opted to allocate extra time to ensure a smooth, bug‑free release.
"We've been working on the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked all the way back in 2016, and given we're in the last couple of months, we would just like to take that extra time to make sure that we land this plane safely and that we don't ship with any silly little bugs left," Mahler explained. "We want everybody to have a wonderful experience and ship something that is one of those generational games that only comes out every so often." The decision to delay mirrors a broader industry trend where developers prioritize long‑term reputation over short‑term revenue.
By postponing the launch, Moon Studios hopes to avoid the pitfalls of releasing an unfinished product, which can damage player trust and result in costly post‑launch patches. Instead, the studio is betting that the additional months will yield a title that stands out for its craftsmanship, depth, and stability.
Fans have reacted with a mixture of patience and anticipation. Many appreciate the transparency and the promise of more beta opportunities, while others are eager to see how the promised improvements—especially to performance and the class system—will manifest in the final version.
The community’s involvement in the upcoming beta phases will likely shape key design decisions, from balance tweaks to quality‑of‑life enhancements. Looking ahead, Moon Studios plans to continue communicating progress through regular updates, developer diaries, and community Q&A sessions. The studio’s commitment to an open dialogue suggests that they intend to keep the momentum built during early access, ensuring that the eventual March 2027 release feels like a culmination of years of collaborative effort rather than a sudden, isolated launch. In summary, No Rest for the Wicked will now arrive in March 2027 after a strategic delay aimed at polishing performance, tightening class mechanics, and delivering a bug‑free experience.
Early supporters will be rewarded with a Founders Pack, and both PC and PlayStation players will benefit from synchronized pre‑order incentives. With additional beta testing on the horizon and a clear message from founder Thomas Mahler about the studio’s dedication to quality, the game is poised to become a standout entry in the action‑RPG genre when it finally ships.