Xbox Version of No Rest for the Wicked Won’t Release with PS5

Moon Studios’ newest title, No Rest for the Wicked, has finally shed light on its launch strategy, revealing that the Xbox Series S’s limitations are the reason the Xbox version will not debut alongside the PlayStation 5 release.

Developed by the studio famed for the critically acclaimed Ori series, No Rest for the Wicked first entered early access on PC in October 2024, offering players a tantalizing glimpse of its atmospheric world and intricate gameplay.

During this week’s highly anticipated PlayStation State of Play event, the studio confirmed that the polished Version 1.0 will arrive on PS5 in October 2026, marking a significant milestone for the franchise’s expansion into next‑generation consoles.

Moon Studios has also assured fans that the game will exit early access on Steam and launch concurrently with the PS5 version in October 2026, while the release dates for Xbox Series X/S and the upcoming Switch 2 remain “TBD,” leaving a degree of uncertainty for those eager to experience the title on those platforms.

In a candid July update on the game’s Discord, lead developer Mahler revealed that, given the current market dynamics, the title will initially launch on PlayStation 5—and potentially on the upcoming Switch 2—while discussions with Microsoft are underway to determine the feasibility of an Xbox release.

When critics accused the announcement of being a “shakedown,” Mahler clarified that the decision is rooted in resource allocation. “To achieve a full release swiftly, we must focus on the platform with the largest user base first,” he explained. “As a relatively small indie studio, delivering a console port at the level of quality we aim for is a substantial undertaking.”

Mahler added that porting to Xbox Series X and Series S would demand more time for optimization compared to the PS5 and PS5 Pro, leading the team to prioritize those PlayStation platforms initially. “We plan to launch on PS5/PS5 Pro first to delight our fans and then roll out additional ports later,” he said.

He concluded by noting that ongoing conversations with Xbox and Nintendo will shape the best strategies for supporting their ecosystems and features, ensuring a seamless experience across all future releases.