Recent speculation about a potential third entry in the beloved Ori video game franchise has been making waves across the gaming community. A well-known industry insider recently suggested that Xbox might be working on a new installment in the acclaimed platformer series. However, Thomas Mahler, CEO and Creative Director of Moon Studios, the studio behind the original games, has stepped forward to firmly dismiss these rumors, stating he has no knowledge of any such project being in development.
The Ori series has earned a devoted following since the release of the first game, Ori and the Blind Forest, in 2015. Published by Xbox Game Studios, the title captivated players with its stunning hand-painted visuals, emotionally resonant storytelling, and challenging yet rewarding gameplay mechanics. The game follows Ori, a small white guardian spirit, on a journey through a dying forest filled with dangerous creatures and intricate platforming challenges. Critics and players alike praised the game for its artistic vision and its ability to evoke genuine emotional responses through its narrative.
The Success of the Ori Franchise
Following the tremendous success of the first installment, Moon Studios released Ori and the Will of the Wisps in 2020. The sequel built upon everything that made the original special, introducing new combat mechanics, expanded exploration options, and an even more emotionally charged storyline. Will of the Wisps received widespread critical acclaim, earning numerous Game of the Year nominations and winning several awards for its artistic achievements and game design. Combined, both Ori titles have sold millions of copies worldwide and established themselves as landmark achievements in the platformer genre.
The relationship between Moon Studios and Xbox has been a significant topic of discussion in the gaming industry. While the studio developed both Ori games under Microsoft’s publishing umbrella, Moon Studios remains an independent developer. In 2022, the studio announced a partnership with Private Division to publish their next project, No Rest for the Wicked, an action RPG that marked a significant departure from the Ori formula. This shift raised questions about whether Moon Studios would ever return to the franchise that made them famous.
Mahler Addresses the Speculation
Thomas Mahler’s response to the recent rumors was direct and unambiguous. The Moon Studios head made it clear that he has no information about any new Ori game being developed, effectively pouring cold water on the speculation that had excited fans of the series. This statement is particularly significant because Moon Studios created both previous Ori games, and any continuation of the series without their involvement would represent a major shift in the franchise’s direction.
The situation highlights an interesting aspect of intellectual property ownership in the gaming industry. While Moon Studios developed the Ori games, the franchise itself is owned by Microsoft as the publisher. This means that theoretically, Microsoft could commission a new Ori game from a different developer if they chose to do so. However, many fans have expressed that the series’ distinctive identity is intrinsically linked to Moon Studios’ creative vision, making any such move potentially controversial among the fanbase.
What the Future May Hold
Despite Mahler’s denial, speculation about the Ori franchise’s future continues within gaming communities. Microsoft has shown a pattern of reviving beloved franchises and investing in acclaimed series, particularly following their acquisition of numerous studios in recent years. The company’s Game Pass subscription service has also created new opportunities for smaller, artistic games to reach wider audiences, potentially making a third Ori installment commercially viable. For now, fans of the series will have to wait and see whether these rumors hold any truth, or whether Ori’s story concluded definitively with Will of the Wisps’ emotional finale. The gaming community remains hopeful that one day, they might return to the magical forests that captured so many hearts.
Expert Opinion: Given the commercial success of both Ori titles and Microsoft’s aggressive expansion of their first-party portfolio, a third installment remains a realistic possibility in the long term, even if current rumors prove unfounded. However, any new Ori game developed without Moon Studios’ direct involvement would face significant challenges in maintaining the artistic integrity that defined the series. Fans should temper expectations while remaining cautiously optimistic about the franchise’s future.
