Ori Studio Faces Potential Shutdown? ‘No Rest for the Wicked’ Review Woes Spark Crisis
The studio behind the critically acclaimed Ori and the Blind Forest, Moon Studios, is facing a potentially dire situation due to the early access launch of their new title, No Rest for the Wicked. Lead developer Thomas Mahler has voiced concerns that negative Steam reviews are severely impacting sales, potentially leading to the studio's closure. This highlights the precarious balance between early access development, player feedback, and the financial realities of game development.
No Rest for the Wicked, described as a hardcore action RPG with stunning visuals, is currently struggling with a "Mixed" review status on Steam. While praised for its art style and potential, players have criticized the game's punishing difficulty, grind-heavy mechanics, and lack of quality-of-life features. This feedback, while potentially valid, has led to a significant decrease in sales, prompting Mahler's warning.
Mahler expressed his concerns on the official No Rest for the Wicked Discord, stating that the negative reviews are leading to a lack of purchases, which could force Moon Studios to "shut down in a couple of months." He urged players who enjoy the game and are excited about future updates to leave positive reviews to help stabilize the situation, emphasizing that the studio's future depends on it. He later clarified, though, on Twitter, that the company isn't in immediate financial danger and his comments were to "push back" against what he felt were politically motivated negative reviews.
The situation underscores the challenges of early access development. Games released in this state are often unfinished and require significant iteration based on player feedback. However, negative reviews during this period can be disproportionately damaging, potentially impacting the game's long-term success. As Jez Corden of Windows Central notes, the line between a finished and unfinished game has blurred, increasing the risk for developers relying on early access funding.
Furthermore, the developers acknowledge the attribute system in the game isn't currently working for many players, leading to underpowered builds. The studio is working to revamp this system, drawing inspiration from games like Final Fantasy Tactics. This reflects their dedication to player feedback, though perhaps the initial implementation could have been handled differently.
While the immediate future of Moon Studios remains uncertain, the situation serves as a stark reminder of the impact player reviews can have on independent developers. Is the current Steam review system fair to games in early access? How can developers effectively solicit feedback without jeopardizing their financial stability?
What are your thoughts on using Early Access to develop games versus releasing a completed product? Leave your comments below!
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