Moon Studios CEO dismisses rumors of Ori 3 development

Rumors have circulated within the gaming community suggesting that Microsoft is developing a third installment in the Ori franchise, potentially through an external studio such as Saber Interactive. Some industry insiders suggested an announcement could occur around Gamescom 2026.

Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Studios—the developer behind the first two games—has dismissed these claims as “nonsense.” Mahler stated he has heard nothing regarding a new project and criticized the idea of Microsoft handing the intellectual property to another team. He cited Microsoft’s management of the Halo franchise as a cautionary tale, arguing that major properties require the right talent to maintain quality.

While Moon Studios is currently focused on their title No Rest for the Wicked, Mahler noted that the studio has internally discussed the possibility of buying back the Ori intellectual property from Microsoft to ensure future entries are developed by the original creators.