No Rest for the Wicked’s Moon Studios CEO calls for positive reviews

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How frequently does the review score on a game’s Steam page impact your decision to purchase it? When I come across games rated Mixed or Mostly Positive, it makes me hesitate, especially for smaller independent studios that rely heavily on their game sales for survival. Over the weekend, the CEO of Moon Studios (creators of Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps) expressed concerns about the studio’s future after fans started posting negative reviews following a significant update to their current Early Access title, No Rest for the Wicked.

Ori and No Rest for the Wicked developers, Moon Studios, might be in trouble

Moon Studios made a big entrance into the video game world with the remarkable success of “_Ori and the Blind Forest_”, a captivating and emotional 2D platformer that garnered appreciation from both fans and critics. The beloved “_Ori_” series, featuring one of the most memorable and endearing characters in recent gaming history, has been successful too. Although the games do have their somber moments, they are generally accessible to a wide audience. It was therefore somewhat unexpected and thrilling when Moon Studios revealed that their next project would take an entirely new direction.

No Rest for the Wicked can be described as an intense, action-packed RPG in which combat is difficult and unforgiving – much like games in the “souls-like” genre. Set in a grim fantasy world filled with bloodshed, brutality, and devastation, it’s quite a departure from the studio’s previous work. To many, this game might seem unrelated to Moon Studios, given its dark tone and challenging gameplay.

Following the debut of “No Rest for the Wicked” on Steam’s Early Access last spring, it has managed to find an audience, however, it hasn’t created as much of a stir as the “Ori” series. This lackluster response seems to be causing significant concerns about Moon Studios’ longevity. A user on the NeoGAF forums noticed this issue being discussed in Moon Studios’ Discord server and reported it to VGC. Moon Studios’ CEO expressed these concerns to fans of “No Rest for the Wicked”, urging them to write positive reviews on Steam, as failure to do so might result in the studio shutting down within a few months. The CEO stated, “If you’re here and enjoying ‘Wicked’ and are excited for future updates, but haven’t left a positive review, it’s possible that we won’t be around in a couple of months to continue our work…

This year has been challenging for Moon Studios and their game titled “No Rest for the Wicked”. Initially, Moon Studios collaborated with Private Division to handle publication. However, in November, Private Division was purchased by Take-Two Interactive. It seems that Take-Two retained the publishing rights for “No Rest for the Wicked”, but in March of this year, Moon Studios declared they had taken over the publishing rights and were now operating independently. After about two months, the CEO of Moon Studios has expressed concern to fans on Discord, stating: “I wouldn’t express worry if our business didn’t depend on it… it’s crucial that we raise that review score back up.

By skimming through the latest Steam reviews, it wasn’t hard to spot a critic who voiced disapproval, mentioning that the CEO seemed to be asking for favorable feedback. Generally speaking, “No Rest for the Wicked” maintains a good standing with a 74% positive rating, whether you examine recent or all-time reviews, and it currently holds the designation of Mostly Positive.

I wasn’t too fond of the idea that they put pressure on fans to leave reviews, but at least the discussion about the significance of such actions for independent teams is ongoing. Leaving a game on your wishlist or writing a positive review may seem insignificant, but they can have a significant impact. These data points, like wishlists and review scores, are valuable tools that indie studios can utilize when seeking a publishing deal to complete their game development. Moreover, favorable reviews are an effortless means of persuading people to purchase the game once it’s released. This isn’t part of their marketing strategy; instead, it’s a genuine and organic way for a well-made game to demonstrate its quality.

I sincerely wish Moon Studios continued success, but I’m uncertain about their future if their Steam ratings don’t climb from 74% to 80%. Honestly, Ori is one of my favorite games, and the thought of it being made by a non-existent studio just feels wrong. I personally haven’t found No Rest for the Wicked appealing, but I genuinely hope this team can keep creating games that captivate players like Ori did. Instead of soliciting positive reviews, a game should be so exceptional that players feel compelled to share their experiences with others, letting them know what they might be missing out on.

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2025-05-12 23:58