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 slated for October 2026. As of July 2026, the title has already moved two million copies in its early‑access phase.
Moon Studios explained that while the project is "close" to being finished, the team does not consider "close" an acceptable benchmark for a full 1.0 launch. "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 studio said in an official statement. "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." The studio also highlighted that the delay will allow for additional closed and open beta sessions in the coming months, giving the community more opportunities to test the game and provide feedback that will shape the final version. An open beta is slated for December, and players who purchase No Rest for the Wicked before January 1 2027 will be granted a "Founders Pack" as a thank‑you for supporting the title during its early‑access period. PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, which will also qualify them for the same Founders Pack rewards. In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler described the current development sprint as a "mad dash to add more content, bring all the 1.0 stuff in, add the class system, and so on." He added, "We've been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we're not quite there yet." Mahler reflected on the project's long history, noting that the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked date back to 2016.
"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," he said. "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 postpone the launch underscores Moon Studios' commitment to delivering a polished, high‑quality experience rather than rushing a product to market.
The studio has built a reputation for meticulous design and artistic ambition, as seen in its previous titles, and it appears determined to maintain that reputation with No Rest for the Wicked. Industry observers note that while delays can be disappointing for eager fans, they often result in a more refined final product. In the case of Moon Studios, the additional months will be used to fine‑tune performance across platforms, ensure the newly introduced class system functions smoothly, and address any lingering technical issues that could detract from gameplay.
This approach aligns with a growing trend among indie developers who prioritize long‑term player satisfaction over short‑term sales spikes. The upcoming open beta in December will give the community a chance to explore new content that has been added since the early‑access launch, as well as to test the revised class mechanics. Feedback from these sessions is expected to directly influence the final balance and feature set of the March release.
Players who participate in the beta will also have early access to exclusive cosmetics and in‑game items, further incentivizing community involvement. Moon Studios' communication strategy has been transparent throughout the development cycle, regularly updating fans via blog posts, social media, and livestreams. The studio's willingness to admit that the game is not yet ready for a full launch, despite having sold two million copies in early access, demonstrates a rare level of honesty in the industry. Looking ahead, the March 2027 launch window positions No Rest for the Wicked to avoid the crowded holiday season, potentially giving it more visibility in a less competitive timeframe.
The studio hopes this timing, combined with the polished experience promised by the extra development period, will allow the game to stand out as a landmark title in the action‑RPG genre. In summary, Moon Studios has chosen to delay the final release of No Rest for the Wicked to ensure that the game meets its own high standards of quality and performance. By extending the development timeline, the team aims to deliver a fully realized experience that lives up to the expectations of its dedicated fanbase and secures its place as a generational milestone in gaming.