{{Short description|Austrian video game developer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2016}} {{Infobox company | name = Moon Studios GmbH | logo = MoonStudiosLogo.png | type = Private | industry = Video games | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2010}} | founder = {{Unbulleted list|Thomas Mahler|Gennadiy Korol}} | hq_location_city = Vienna | hq_location_country = Austria | num_employees = 80+ (2020) | key_people = Thomas Mahler (CEO) | products = ''Ori and the Blind Forest''<br />''Ori and the Will of the Wisps''<br />''No Rest for the Wicked'' | website = {{URL|moongamestudios.com}} }}
'''Moon Studios GmbH''' is an Austrian video game developer founded in 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/postmortem-moon-studios-heartfelt-i-ori-and-the-blind-forest-i- |title=Postmortem: Moon Studios' heartfelt ''Ori and the Blind Forest'' |last=Mahler |first=Thomas |date=5 May 2015 |website=Gamasutra |publisher=UBM TechWeb |access-date=27 April 2016 |archive-date=9 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509153433/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/242530/Postmortem_Moon_Studios_heartfelt_Ori_and_the_Blind_Forest.php |url-status=live }}</ref> It is best known for its 2015 title ''Ori and the Blind Forest'', for which the studio was awarded the Best Debut award at the 2016 Game Developers Choice Awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gdconf.com/news/witcher_3_wins_game_of_the_yea.html |title=''Witcher 3'' wins Game of the Year at 16th annual Game Developers Choice Awards |author=Staff |date=16 March 2016 |website=Game Developers Conference |publisher=UBM TechWeb |access-date=27 April 2016 |archive-date=19 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160319082958/http://www.gdconf.com/news/witcher_3_wins_game_of_the_yea.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2020, the studio released a sequel, ''Ori and the Will of the Wisps''. In 2024, Moon Studios released the action role-playing game ''No Rest for the Wicked'' in Early Access.
==History== The studio was founded in 2010 by Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol. During Mahler's tenure at Blizzard Entertainment, the successes of independent games like ''Castle Crashers'', ''Limbo'', and ''Braid'' encouraged him to leave the company to found an independent studio. The two chose the name "Moon Studios" as the company name as they were inspired by John F. Kennedy's quote, "We choose to go to the Moon". Mahler described Moon Studios as a "virtual studio," as the team did not rent an office and instead recruited talents from all over the world. Team members came from places such as Austria, Australia, Israel and the United States, and they collaborated with each other using the Internet.<ref name="Yahoo-E3">{{cite web |url=https://games.yahoo.com/news/ori-blind-forest-producer-wants-210052888.html |title=Ori and the Blind Forest's producer wants his beautiful Xbox One exclusive to play as good as it looks (interview) |author=Mike Minotti |work=Yahoo! Games |publisher=Yahoo!, Inc. |date=18 June 2014 |access-date=23 June 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714233707/https://games.yahoo.com/news/ori-blind-forest-producer-wants-210052888.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |df=mdy-all}}</ref> The company's headquarters are located in Mahler's native Vienna.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/digital/spielplatz/2000533-Die-Arroganz-in-Oesterreich-regt-mich-auf.html |title="Die Arroganz in Österreich regt mich auf" |language=de |first=Alexander U. |last=Mathé |date=8 March 2019 |website=Wiener Zeitung |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=20 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211220193608/https://www.wienerzeitung.at/nachrichten/digital/spielplatz/2000533-Die-Arroganz-in-Oesterreich-regt-mich-auf.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
After assembling the team, Moon Studios started creating prototypes. One early prototype was named ''Warsoup'', a first-person shooter mixed with real-time strategy elements. Another prototype was named ''Sein'', a platformer with Metroidvania gameplay. Moon Studios started pitching ''Warsoup'' to publishers. Microsoft dismissed ''Warsoup'' but agreed to fund ''Sein'', with Microsoft retaining the rights to the intellectual property. With a core team of 10 people alongside several remote working contractors, the game, which would later be renamed ''Ori and the Blind Forest'', took the team 4 years to develop.<ref name="ori team size">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-04-15-aaa-should-invest-in-indies-ori-dev |title=AAA should invest in indies - Ori dev |first=Brendan |last=Sinclair |work=Gameindustry.biz |date=15 April 2015 |access-date=12 December 2020 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309173726/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2015-04-15-aaa-should-invest-in-indies-ori-dev |url-status=live }}</ref>
The team met with each other for the first time at E3 2014, when the announcement trailer was released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/postmortem-moon-studios-heartfelt-i-ori-and-the-blind-forest-i- |title=Postmortem: Moon Studios' heartfelt ''Ori and the Blind Forest'' |first=Thomas |last=Mahler |date=5 May 2015 |website=Gamasutra |access-date=12 December 2020 |archive-date=9 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509153433/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/242530/Postmortem_Moon_Studios_heartfelt_Ori_and_the_Blind_Forest.php |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Ori and the Blind Forest'' received critical acclaim when it was released in March 2015. It was also a commercial success, as it recouped its development in 7 days.<ref name="Ori-Profit">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/celebrated-xbox-one-game-ori-and-the-blind-forest-/1100-6426518/ |title=Celebrated Xbox One Game Ori and the Blind Forest Profitable in One Week |author=Eddie Makuch |work=gamespot.com |publisher=CBS Interactive |date=9 April 2015 |access-date=9 April 2015 |archive-date=11 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150411174955/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/celebrated-xbox-one-game-ori-and-the-blind-forest-/1100-6426518/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Following the success of ''Ori and the Blind Forest'', the team expanded significantly. As of March 2020, the studio employed more than 80 people and recruited talents from 43 countries. To facilitate communication, Moon built its communication tool named "Apollo".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-10-building-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-with-80-people-working-from-home |title=Building Ori and the Will of the Wisps with 80 people working from home |first=Christopher |last=Dring |work=Gameindustry.biz |date=10 March 2020 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=14 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200314141253/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2020-03-10-building-ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-with-80-people-working-from-home |url-status=live }}</ref> The team also organised yearly retreats to ensure the team bond together. At E3 2017, it announced a sequel, ''Ori and the Will of the Wisps'', which was released for the Xbox One and Windows 10 on 10 March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/11/ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-revealed |title=ORI AND THE WILL OF THE WISPS REVEALED |first=Joe |last=Skrebels |website=IGN |date=11 June 2017 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=10 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110211117/https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/11/ori-and-the-will-of-the-wisps-revealed |url-status=live }}</ref>
In December 2019, the studio announced that it was developing the action role-playing game ''No Rest for the Wicked''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-22-ori-and-the-blind-forest-devs-are-making-an-action-rpg |title=Ori and the Blind Forest devs are making an action RPG |first=Vikki |last=Blake |work=Eurogamer |date=22 December 2019 |access-date=22 February 2020 |archive-date=25 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225120433/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-12-22-ori-and-the-blind-forest-devs-are-making-an-action-rpg |url-status=live }}</ref> The game was formally revealed at The Game Awards 2023 and was announced for publication by Private Division, a label of Take-Two Interactive.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.take2games.com/ir/news/private-division-and-moon-studios-announce-no-rest-wicked |title=Private Division and Moon Studios Announce No Rest for the Wicked |website=Take-Two Interactive |date=8 December 2023 |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref> ''No Rest for the Wicked'' launched in Early Access for Windows via Steam on 18 April 2024.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1371980/No_Rest_for_the_Wicked/ |title=No Rest for the Wicked on Steam |website=Steam |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref> The game received multiple major updates during Early Access, including ''The Crucible'' (July 2024) and ''The Breach'' (April 2025).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.norestforthewicked.com/news |title=News |website=No Rest for the Wicked |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref> In February 2026, Moon Studios announced that ''No Rest for the Wicked'' had sold 1.5 million copies during Early Access.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1371980/view/506226983746666572 |title=No Rest for the Wicked - 1.5 Million Copies sold! |website=Steam |publisher=Valve |date=4 February 2026 |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref>
In 2024, Take-Two Interactive began the process of shuttering Private Division. Following several months of negotiations, Moon Studios reacquired the publishing rights to ''No Rest for the Wicked'' in March 2025 and stated that the studio had become fully independent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/moon-studios-becomes-fully-independent-after-buying-no-rest-for-the-wicked-s-publishing-rights |title=Moon Studios becomes 'fully independent' after buying No Rest for the Wicked's publishing rights |website=Game Developer |date=12 March 2025 |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McCrae |first=Scott |date=11 March 2025 |title=Ori and the Blind Forest developer is now "fully independent" after "months of negotiation" with what remained of its gutted publisher |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action-rpg/ori-and-the-blind-forest-developer-is-now-fully-independent-after-months-of-negotiation-with-what-remained-of-its-gutted-publisher/ |access-date=14 March 2025 |website=GamesRadar |language=en}}</ref> In January 2026, the studio released the ''Together'' update, adding cooperative multiplayer to the game during Early Access.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespress.com/en-US/No-Rest-for-the-Wicked-Together---Experience-the-Next-Evolution-of-Co- |title=No Rest for the Wicked Together – Experience the Next Evolution of Co-op |website=Gamespress |date=22 January 2026 |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref>
== Games developed == {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Platform(s) |- ! scope="row" | 2015 | ''Ori and the Blind Forest'' | Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One |- ! scope="row" | 2020 | ''Ori and the Will of the Wisps'' | Nintendo Switch, Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S |- ! scope="row" | 2024 (Early Access) | ''No Rest for the Wicked'' | Windows (Early Access)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://store.steampowered.com/app/1371980/No_Rest_for_the_Wicked/ |title=No Rest for the Wicked on Steam |website=Steam |access-date=12 February 2026}}</ref> |}
=== Ori series === In 2015, Mahler and Gennadiy Korol co-created the critically acclaimed and award-winning indie game title, ''Ori and the Blind Forest''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/de/article/games-thomas-mahler-gegen-die-welt-videospiele-entwickler-ori-talent-troll-oesterreich-gaming-community-333/|title=Thomas Mahler gegen die Welt—und die österreichische Gaming-Community|last=Zorn|first=Josef|date=21 April 2015|website=VICE|access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/movies/ori-blind-forest-dev-wants-123600378.html|title=Ori and the Blind Forest Dev Wants to Continue the Story, Possibly With a Movie|date=10 April 2015|work=Yahoo! Movies|access-date=18 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/audio/postmortem-moon-studios-heartfelt-i-ori-and-the-blind-forest-i-|title=Postmortem: Moon Studios' heartfelt ''Ori and the Blind Forest''|last=Mahler|first=Thomas|date=5 May 2015|work=Game Developer|access-date=18 June 2017|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/apr/01/ori-and-the-blind-forest-review-a-challenging-and-beautiful-journey|title=Ori and the Blind Forest review: "a challenging and beautiful journey"|last=Webber|first=Jordan Erica|date=1 April 2015|work=The Guardian|access-date=20 June 2017|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Mahler won the NAVGTR Award in the Game, Original Adventure category in 2016 with ''Ori and the Blind Forest''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm7216634/|title=Thomas Mahler|website=IMDb|access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref> The game is considered an example of video games becoming closer to art, and it won, among others, the BAFTA Games Award for Artistic Achievement and the Game Award for Best Art Direction.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/gennadiy-korol/|title=Profile: Gennadiy Korol|work=Forbes|access-date=19 June 2017|language=en}}</ref> For example, Chris Melissinos commented that the video game audience was not used to seeing ''Ori and the Blind Forest's'' dreamlike sensitivity style of art usually reserved for high profile animated films.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/21/arts/gallery/video-games-highest-form-of-art/index.html|title=Can video games be art?|last=Melissinos|first=Chris|date=21 October 2016|website=CNN|access-date=18 June 2017}}</ref>
==Key people== ===Thomas Mahler=== {{Infobox person | name = Thomas Mahler | education = | alma_mater = | employer = Moon Studios | notable_works = ''Ori and the Blind Forest'', ''Ori and the Will of the Wisps'', ''No Rest for the Wicked'' }} Thomas Mahler is an Austrian video game developer best known for being co-creator of the 2015 indie game title, ''Ori and the Blind Forest''. Under Mahler's direction, Moon Studios developed its sequel ''Ori and the Will of the Wisps'' (2020) as well as the action role-playing game ''No Rest for the Wicked'' (2024).
Mahler was interested with video games and artwork at an early age and studied traditional sculpture in the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-06-28-ori-and-the-blind-forest-looks-great-but-plays-even-better|title=Ori and the Blind Forest looks great, but plays even better|last=Matulef|first=Jeffrey|date=7 July 2014|website=Eurogamer|language=en-UK|access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.redbull.com/at-de/mahler-%E2%80%9Ewir-%C3%B6sterreicher-brauchen-mehr-mut%E2%80%9C|title=Mahler: "Wir Österreicher brauchen mehr Mut"|date=10 March 2015|work=Red Bull|access-date=19 June 2017|language=de}}</ref> He worked at Blizzard Entertainment on visual effects as a Cinematic Artist before founding Moon Studios GmbH in Vienna together with Gennadiy Korol in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.orithegame.com/moon-studios/|title=Moon Studios {{!}} Ori|work=Ori|access-date=17 June 2017|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://derstandard.at/2000011676685/Ori-Entwickler-Fuer-Games-hat-Oesterreich-weder-Geld-noch-Talente|title="Ori"-Entwickler: Für Top-Games aus Österreich fehlen Geld und Talente|date=14 February 2015|work=derStandard.at|access-date=19 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/games/ori_and_the_blind_forest/b/pc/archive/2014/12/22/a-multinational-team-bands-together-to-create-ori-and-the-blind-forest.aspx|title=A Multinational Team Bands Together To Create Ori And The Blind Forest|date=22 December 2014|magazine=Game Informer|language=en|access-date=20 June 2017}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|moongamestudios.com}} * [https://x.com/thomasmahler Thomas Mahler on X]
{{Moon Studios}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Austrian companies established in 2010 Category:Companies based in Vienna Category:Privately held companies of Austria Category:Video game companies established in 2010 Category:Video game companies of Austria Category:Video game development companies