Moon Studios förnekade rykten om att Ori 3 är under utveckling

Amid rumors that Xbox is set to announce a new game as part of its Gamescom 2026 presentation this week, insider NateTheHate, who first reported on this, has shared a few more details. He confirmed that it will be a Microsoft-owned franchise title, though developed by a third-party studio.

Fans are already speculating about what that could be, with recent reports pointing to a possible new Ori game, developed by one of Saber Interactive's divisions. That came from another well-known insider, Kiri_Kis557, on the ResetEra forum. On X, though, Moon Studios head and Ori director Thomas Mahler pushed back on the rumor, calling it nonsense, while adding he wouldn't mind regaining the rights to the franchise, currently owned by Microsoft. As Mahler mentioned, series composer Gareth Coker has also claimed he thinks it's time for a new entry. You can check out Mahler's fuller comments below:

“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 said!

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 MS has learned their lesson that the right talent needs to work on those IP’s, otherwise you’ll undoubtedly get more slop.

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

Despite Mahler's denial, some fans are pointing to NateTheHate's track record as a reliable insider and taking the Ori 3 rumor at face value. It's possible Mahler knows more than he's letting on, but given everything going on at Microsoft, it seems unlikely the company is actively pursuing a third Ori game right now. Either way, Gamescom 2026 will likely settle the question one way or another.

Ori and the Blind Forest, the original game in the series, launched in 2015 to glowing reviews, praised for its striking visual style, engaging story, beautiful soundtrack, game design, and satisfying gameplay mechanics. The sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, followed in 2020 and was received just as warmly by both critics and players. Both games came from Moon Studios, which also released No Rest for the Wicked in 2024.

Xbox has already confirmed its lineup for Gamescom 2026: visitors will get to try Fable, Gears of War: E-Day (story campaign), Minecraft Dungeons II, Stranger Than Heaven, Metro 2039, and the 6v6 multiplayer mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4. Previously released titles, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Forza Horizon 6, and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, will also have their own dedicated stands.

Gamescom 2026 will take place from August 26 to August 30, 2026, in Cologne, Germany. Gamescom week begins slightly earlier on August 24 with developer events, while the Opening Night Live kickoff showcase streams on Tuesday evening, August 25.