Moon Studios, the creative force behind the beloved Ori series and its sequel Ori and the Will of the Wisps, has announced that the full launch of its upcoming action‑RPG No Rest for the Wicked will be delayed until March 2027. The title entered early access in April 2024, with an initial plan to ship the polished 1.0 version in October 2026. As of July 2026 the game has already moved two million copies, a testament to the strong community interest and the solid foundation built during the early‑access period.
In a candid statement, the studio explained that while the project is "close" to completion, the notion of "close" simply does not satisfy the high bar they have set for the final product. "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 announcement read.
This philosophy has guided the decision to extend development by several months, allowing the team to refine performance, tighten the newly introduced class system, and polish every facet of the experience to a level that matches player expectations. The additional time will also enable Moon Studios to run more extensive beta testing phases. The company has scheduled an open beta for December, inviting the community to dive deeper into the game and provide feedback that will directly influence the final build.
Early supporters who purchase No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027, will be rewarded with a special "Founders Pack" that includes exclusive in‑game items and other bonuses as a thank‑you for backing the project during its early‑access stage. PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, granting them access to the same Founder’s Pack rewards.
This coordinated rollout aims to keep the excitement alive across all platforms while ensuring that every player receives the same level of recognition for their early commitment. Studio founder Thomas Mahler addressed the delay in a separate YouTube announcement, describing the current development sprint as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and lock in the remaining 1.0 features.
"We've been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we're not quite there yet," Mahler said. He reminded fans that the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked date back to 2016, and that the team has spent the last several months polishing those early ideas into a cohesive, polished experience.
Mahler emphasized that the extra months are not merely a buffer for polishing but a strategic window to eliminate any lingering bugs and to ensure the game launches without the kind of technical hiccups that can mar a player’s first impression. "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," he added, underscoring the studio’s ambition to create a title that will be remembered alongside other landmark releases. The decision to delay, while disappointing to some eager fans, reflects a broader industry trend where developers prioritize long‑term reputation over short‑term release schedules.
Moon Studios has consistently championed artistic integrity and player satisfaction, a stance that has earned them a loyal fan base. By opting for a later launch, they aim to deliver a product that feels complete, balanced, and free of the small but irritating bugs that can accumulate in complex RPG systems.
Looking ahead, the studio plans to use the upcoming beta windows not only to gather bug reports but also to fine‑tune the class mechanics, which have been a focal point of community discussion. Early access feedback has already highlighted areas where the class system could benefit from additional depth, clearer progression pathways, and more distinct playstyles. The extra development time will allow designers to iterate on these systems, ensuring that each class feels unique and rewarding. Performance optimization is another key area slated for improvement.
Early access players have reported occasional frame‑rate dips and loading time spikes on certain hardware configurations. Moon Studios intends to address these issues through engine tweaks, asset streaming enhancements, and thorough testing across a broader range of platforms. Their goal is to deliver a smooth, immersive experience that meets the expectations of both console and PC gamers.
In summary, Moon Studios’ postponement of No Rest for the Wicked to March 2027 is a deliberate move to uphold a quality standard that the studio refuses to compromise. By extending the development window, they aim to refine performance, perfect the class system, and polish the game to a level that will satisfy both existing fans and newcomers. The upcoming beta tests will provide the community with a hands‑on role in shaping the final product, while early supporters will be rewarded with exclusive Founder’s Pack content.
As the release date approaches, anticipation continues to build, and the studio’s commitment to delivering a generational, bug‑free experience remains steadfast.