Moon Studios
Moon Studios is an Austria-based independent game developer that creates critically acclaimed role-playing games, including the Ori franchise and No Rest for the Wicked, for a global base of video game players purchasing via Steam and console digital storefronts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersVienna, Austria
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Moon Studios does
Moon Studios GmbH is an Austria-based independent video game development studio founded in 2010, operating with a lean team of approximately 80 people. The studio develops premium, narrative-driven role-playing games and is best known for the Ori franchise — Ori and the Blind Forest (2015) and Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020) — both critically acclaimed Metroidvania platformers originally published by Xbox Game Studios. Its current focus is No Rest for the Wicked, an isometric action RPG that entered Steam Early Access in April 2024 and is scheduled for a 1.0 release in October 2026.
The studio's core technology is built around isometric action RPG and platformer engine work, with crossplay, cross-save, and cross-progression functionality being introduced at 1.0 across Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Distribution is fully digital across Steam, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Steam Deck, and NVIDIA GeForce Now, reaching a global consumer base of video game players.
Moon Studios' business model is a one-time-license / product-led model: players purchase games directly via digital storefronts. No Rest for the Wicked generated over 1.8 million Early Access unit sales prior to 1.0, and monthly sales velocity rose 250% from early 2026 into the launch window. The studio is founder-owned and privately held with no disclosed venture capital or institutional backing, led by co-founder and CEO Thomas Mahler and co-founder Gennadiy Korol (Director of Technology & Project Manager).
Moon Studios firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Moon Studios
- Legal name
- Moon Studios GmbH
- Website
- https://moongamestudios.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Moon Studios is an Austria-based independent game developer that creates critically acclaimed role-playing games, including the Ori franchise and No Rest for the Wicked, for a global base of video game players purchasing via Steam and console digital storefronts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Moon Studios industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Video Game Development
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (513210), Software Publishers (5132)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mobile & F2P Game Studios (MPAFAAAB)
Keywords
Where Moon Studios is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vienna
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Moon Studios business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Game Sales (Full Price): Traditional one-time purchase model for Ori series titles sold at full retail price on Steam and console digital stores
- Early Access Game Sales: No Rest for the Wicked sold over 1.8 million copies during Early Access period, generating revenue through pre-release game purchases
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Moon Studios product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Moon Studios develops and self-publishes critically acclaimed video games, including the Ori Metroidvania platformer series (Ori and the Blind Forest; Ori and the Will of the Wisps) and the isometric action RPG No Rest for the Wicked. Games are sold as one-time purchases through major digital storefronts including Steam, Nintendo Switch eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, with No Rest for the Wicked also available via NVIDIA GeForce Now and Steam Deck.
Product overview
Moon Studios is an Austria-based independent game development studio that creates critically acclaimed games known for their exceptional polish and emotional depth. Their product portfolio consists of the Ori series—including Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, both published by Xbox Game Studios—which are genre-defining Metroidvania platformers celebrated for their visual beauty and narrative craftsmanship. Additionally, they develop No Rest for the Wicked, an isometric action RPG that has been in Early Access since 2024 and is preparing for its 1.0 release in October 2026. Together, these products showcase Moon Studios' commitment to crafting ambitious, high-quality gaming experiences that challenge the status quo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Ori and the Blind Forest A Metroidvania platformer featuring the spirit Ori, known for its emotional depth, breathtaking visuals, and high level of polish. Originally published by Xbox Game Studios.
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps The sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, an emotionally-driven Metroidvania adventure featuring stunning visuals and a touching narrative. Published by Xbox Game Studios, it received universal acclaim from critics (e.g., 98/100 from Gamesbeat, 9.5/10 from GameInformer).
- No Rest for the Wicked An isometric action RPG developed by Moon Studios, in Early Access since 2024 and scheduled for 1.0 release in October 2026 on PC and PlayStation 5, with ports planned for Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2. Sold over 1.8 million copies during Early Access.
Quantifiable outcome
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps received 98/100 from Gamesbeat, 9.5/10 from GameInformer, 9/10 from IGN, and 9.8/10 from The Games Machine
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Moon Studios
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Moon Studios technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature1 record
Moon Studios partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Xbox Game StudiosminorMoon Studios previously had publishing relationship with Xbox Game Studios for Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Thomas Mahler has publicly criticized Xbox's Game Pass strategy and layoffs at Xbox-owned studios, suggesting the relationship has become distant.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Moon Studios competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Moon Studios social profiles
Digital presenceMoon Studios financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Moon Studios leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Moon Studios funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Moon Studios M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Moon Studios
What does Moon Studios do?
Moon Studios develops and self-publishes critically acclaimed video games, including the Ori Metroidvania platformer series (Ori and the Blind Forest; Ori and the Will of the Wisps) and the isometric action RPG No Rest for the Wicked. Games are sold as one-time purchases through major digital storefronts including Steam, Nintendo Switch eShop, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Store, with No Rest for the Wicked also available via NVIDIA GeForce Now and Steam Deck.
Is Moon Studios a public or private company?
Moon Studios is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Moon Studios founded?
Moon Studios was founded in 2010. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Moon Studios based?
Moon Studios is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does Moon Studios make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Game Sales (Full Price) is the primary driver. The others are early Access Game Sales.
Does Moon Studios have an API?
No public API is recorded for Moon Studios.
What industry is Moon Studios in?
Moon Studios's product category is Video Game Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAFAAAB, Mobile & F2P Game Studios. Its NAICS code is 513210.