Key Takeaways
1. Concerns Over Xbox Series X Sales: Decreasing sales of the Xbox Series X may lead some studios to reconsider multi-platform releases.
2. Moon Studios’ Uncertainty: CEO Thomas Mahler indicated the Xbox Series X|S version of “No Rest for the Wicked” is now questionable due to market conditions, but the game is still likely to release on all platforms.
3. Prioritization of PS5: Moon Studios is giving priority to the PS5 for the release of “No Rest for the Wicked.”
4. Future Xbox Console Rumors: A new Xbox console is rumored for 2027, raising questions about the relevance of current Xbox hardware for developers.
5. Expanding Game Accessibility: Microsoft is working on making Xbox titles available on various devices, but not all games will run on new handhelds without cloud streaming.
It has become common for many third-party games to launch on both PlayStation and Xbox systems. However, with the decreasing sales of the Xbox Series X, a few studios might think twice about their plans for releasing on multiple platforms. In an unexpected post on Discord, Thomas Mahler, the CEO of Moon Studios, which is behind the action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, indicated that due to “market conditions,” the Xbox Series X|S version was now questionable.
Discussion with Microsoft
Mahler stated that the studio wanted to explore its options with Microsoft. Initially, some gamers thought his announcement meant the game was getting canceled. Thankfully for Xbox enthusiasts, he later made it clear that No Rest for the Wicked will probably be available “on all platforms.” Still, the studio is giving priority to the PS5. Mahler also suggested that the game might launch on the unreleased Switch 2.
Early Access and Release Date Uncertainty
The Moon Studios title has been in early access on PCs since April 2024. Players were anticipating an announcement regarding the release date for No Rest for the Wicked on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. However, those plans now appear to be less certain, especially for Xbox consoles.
Microsoft has been shifting its focus away from its current consoles. As a result, developers may not see the benefit in creating games for these systems anymore. Looking forward, a new Xbox console is rumored to be on the horizon in 2027. Even if this new console is Windows-based, there might not be a clear difference between the PC games and the Xbox titles it supports.
Expanding Accessibility for Games
The tech giant is also working to make previously exclusive Xbox titles available on various devices. The upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC shows this strategy in action. However, it won’t be able to run all Series X and S games without relying on cloud streaming.
Even past Xbox leaders like Mike Ybarra and Laura Fryer find the Xbox Gaming roadmap puzzling. It’s not surprising that developers such as Moon Studios share similar concerns about the current and future gaming hardware landscape.
Source:
Link