"The Ori 3 rumors are nonsense," Metroidvania series creator says, and that Halo has taught Xbox you'll "undoubtedly get more slop" without the right talent working on beloved series

Amid all of the GTA 6 leak shenanigans and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake rumors coming to fruition, word has been circulating online about another series potentially getting a new entry: the beloved Ori games. If you're not familiar with Ori and the Blind Forest or Ori and the Will of the Wisp, they're charming Metroidvanias developed by Moon Game Studios – but published by Microsoft Studios and Xbox Game Studios, respectively. In other words, Microsoft essentially owns the rights to the IP rather than Moon Game Studios. So, when rumors about another Ori game started coming to light, folks thought it'd be handled by new devs. Once again there’s a bunch of people asking me about Ori 3 since there’s rumors floating about…As before, I haven’t heard anything about any of this.I think after having put billions into 343 to handle Halo and not being able to recapture the old magic, I’d guess that by now…August 23, 2026 According to Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Game Studios and director behind both Ori games, however, that's not the case – and, in fact, there is supposedly no Ori 3 in the works anywhere. "Once again there's a bunch of people asking me about Ori 3 since there's rumors floating about," as he writes over on X. "As before, I haven't heard anything about any of this." He then explains why he believes only his studio could pull a threequel off. "I think after having put billions into 343 to handle Halo and not being able to recapture the old magic, I'd guess that by now Microsoft has learned their lesson that the right talent needs to work on those IP's, otherwise you'll undoubtedly get more slop," the lead states, alluding to the more mixed reviews Halo entries headed by 343 Industries saw, like Halo 4. What Mahler says next about Moon Game Studios' own plans is quite eye-catching, though. I can confirm that the Ori 3 rumors are nonsense ????That said, I had Gareth over for dinner a while ago since he was recording the No Rest for the Wicked Soundtrack in Vienna (you folks will LOVE it!) and even he asked me if we'd be ready to do another one."It's time", he…August 23, 2026 "Internally, we've been discussing our interest in purchasing the IP back," the CEO describes, because "I doubt any other studio could really do much with it, so it makes sense for this one to come home to Moon!" In a later post, he reiterates all of this, writing, "I can confirm that the Ori 3 rumors are nonsense" and stating that composer Gareth Coker "asked me if we'd be ready to do another one" – another Ori game, that is. "'It's time,' he said!" So, there you have it – there might not be a new Ori in the works after all. It's important to note that Xbox could still have something up its sleeve, as there's no real way to tell – but that may truly just be wishful thinking at this point, considering everything. Searching for some new games to play? Browse through our handy little roundup of the best Metroidvania games out there right now. [/url]

Aug 24, 2026 - 18:18

"The Ori 3 rumors are nonsense," Metroidvania series creator says, and that Halo has taught Xbox you'll "undoubtedly get more slop" without the right talent working on beloved series

Amid all of the GTA 6 leak shenanigans and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake rumors coming to fruition, word has been circulating online about another series potentially getting a new entry: the beloved Ori games.

If you're not familiar with Ori and the Blind Forest or Ori and the Will of the Wisp, they're charming Metroidvanias developed by Moon Game Studios – but published by Microsoft Studios and Xbox Game Studios, respectively. In other words, Microsoft essentially owns the rights to the IP rather than Moon Game Studios.

So, when rumors about another Ori game started coming to light, folks thought it'd be handled by new devs.

Once again there’s a bunch of people asking me about Ori 3 since there’s rumors floating about…As before, I haven’t heard anything about any of this.I think after having put billions into 343 to handle Halo and not being able to recapture the old magic, I’d guess that by now…August 23, 2026

According to Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Game Studios and director behind both Ori games, however, that's not the case – and, in fact, there is supposedly no Ori 3 in the works anywhere.

"Once again there's a bunch of people asking me about Ori 3 since there's rumors floating about," as he writes over on X. "As before, I haven't heard anything about any of this." He then explains why he believes only his studio could pull a threequel off.

"I think after having put billions into 343 to handle Halo and not being able to recapture the old magic, I'd guess that by now Microsoft has learned their lesson that the right talent needs to work on those IP's, otherwise you'll undoubtedly get more slop," the lead states, alluding to the more mixed reviews Halo entries headed by 343 Industries saw, like Halo 4.

What Mahler says next about Moon Game Studios' own plans is quite eye-catching, though.

I can confirm that the Ori 3 rumors are nonsense ????That said, I had Gareth over for dinner a while ago since he was recording the No Rest for the Wicked Soundtrack in Vienna (you folks will LOVE it!) and even he asked me if we'd be ready to do another one."It's time", he…August 23, 2026

"Internally, we've been discussing our interest in purchasing the IP back," the CEO describes, because "I doubt any other studio could really do much with it, so it makes sense for this one to come home to Moon!"

In a later post, he reiterates all of this, writing, "I can confirm that the Ori 3 rumors are nonsense" and stating that composer Gareth Coker "asked me if we'd be ready to do another one" – another Ori game, that is. "'It's time,' he said!"

So, there you have it – there might not be a new Ori in the works after all. It's important to note that Xbox could still have something up its sleeve, as there's no real way to tell – but that may truly just be wishful thinking at this point, considering everything.

Searching for some new games to play? Browse through our handy little roundup of the best Metroidvania games out there right now.

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