Moon Studios, the creative force behind the beloved Ori series, has announced that the full launch of its upcoming action‑RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, will now take place in March 2027. The title entered early access in April 2024, with an original full‑release target of October 2026. As of July 2026, the game has already moved two million copies, indicating strong interest from the community. Despite the impressive sales figures, the studio says the product is "close" to a finished state, but stresses that "close" is not sufficient for the version they intend to ship as the official 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 explained in a statement. This commitment to quality is the primary reason behind the additional months added to the development schedule. The extra time will be devoted to several key areas.
First, performance optimisation will be a major focus, ensuring that the game runs smoothly across all supported platforms, from high‑end PCs to the latest consoles. Second, the class system—one of the most ambitious features planned for No Rest for the Wicked—will be refined and balanced, giving players a more rewarding and strategic experience.
Finally, the team aims to polish every aspect of the world, from visual fidelity to audio design, to meet the high expectations set by the studio’s previous titles. Moon Studios also highlighted that the delay will allow for a more extensive testing phase.
"It also means more closed and open beta tests in the coming months, which means you, our community, can get your hands on it and help us shape the final 1.0 build," the statement read. An open beta is slated for December 2026, giving players a chance to explore the evolving game and provide feedback that will directly influence the final product. Early supporters will not be left empty‑handed. Customers who purchase No Rest for the Wicked before January 1, 2027, will receive a special "Founders Pack" containing exclusive in‑game items, cosmetic upgrades, and other bonuses as a thank‑you for backing the project during its early‑access phase.
PlayStation users will be able to pre‑order the game starting in January 2027, granting them access to the same founder rewards. In a separate video posted to YouTube, studio founder Thomas Mahler gave a candid update on the development progress. He described the past months as a "mad dash" to integrate additional content, finalize the class system, and incorporate all the features slated for the 1.0 release.
"We've been playtesting a lot, and the truth is simply that we're not quite there yet," Mahler admitted. Mahler traced the project's origins back to 2016, when the first prototypes of No Rest for the Wicked were created. Over the ensuing years, the team has iterated on the concept, expanding the narrative, building a richer world, and experimenting with new gameplay mechanics. "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.
The developer's ambition goes beyond a polished product; they aim to deliver a "generational" experience—one of those rare games that defines a period in gaming history. By refusing to rush the launch, Moon Studios hopes to ensure that No Rest for the Wicked lives up to that lofty aspiration and provides players with a memorable, enduring adventure.
In summary, Moon Studios' decision to postpone the full release to March 2027 reflects a deliberate choice to prioritize quality, performance, and community involvement over meeting an arbitrary deadline. The extended timeline will be used to fine‑tune the class system, boost technical stability, and incorporate player feedback from upcoming beta tests.
Early adopters will be rewarded with exclusive content, and the studio remains committed to delivering a game that stands out as a benchmark for future titles. The community can look forward to continued updates, beta opportunities, and a launch that aims to exceed expectations rather than merely satisfy them.