Moon Studios’ action-RPG No Rest for the Wicked may initially bypass Xbox consoles, hinted by creative director Thomas Mahler in a recent Discord discussion. He noted:

Considering current industry trends, our focus could be on PlayStation 5 and possibly Nintendo’s next-gen Switch initially. Discussions with Microsoft will determine Xbox plans.

Later, Mahler clarified via social media that while nothing’s finalized, prioritizing PS5 aligns with pragmatic market strategies:

No official decisions yet. PS5’s player base makes it the logical starting point. Multiplatform support remains the goal, but staggered launches are probable.

The dark fantasy title debuted in April 2024 via Steam Early Access. Originally published by Private Division, Moon Studios recently regained full control of distribution rights.

Earlier this year, reports surfaced about the studio’s financial challenges, with Mahler urging players to counterbalance targeted negative Steam reviews through positive feedback. This context may explain their platform prioritization for console ports.

With Xbox hardware sales lagging behind PlayStation’s install base and Nintendo’s anticipated successor, third-party studios increasingly weigh development costs against potential returns. The absence of a Game Pass arrangement for No Rest for the Wicked further complicates Xbox viability.

Historically tied to Microsoft through the acclaimed Ori series, Moon Studios’ potential platform shift highlights broader industry realignments as market dynamics evolve.