I’m calling this one a classic case of internet momentum meeting real-world pushback. According to Insider Gaming, Thomas Mahler — director at Moon Studios — has publicly pushed back on circulating chatter that a third Ori game is in development. Take this with a pinch of salt, but the story has several moving pieces worth unpicking.
What Was Reported
Per Insider Gaming, the rumour began on Reset Era and claimed that one of Saber Interactive’s teams was allegedly developing a new entry in the Ori series. That post also suggested the game could be revealed as late as an Xbox Developer Direct in the fall.
In response to the chatter, Thomas Mahler published two tweets that Insider Gaming covered. In the first, Mahler said he “hasn’t heard anything about any of this” and revealed that Moon Studios has held internal talks about potentially purchasing the Ori IP back. He added that he doubts other studios could do much with the series and that it “makes sense for this one to come home to Moon.”
In a follow-up tweet quoted by Insider Gaming, Mahler called the specific Ori 3 rumours “nonsense.” He also mentioned that composer Gareth Coker told him “it’s time” for another Ori soundtrack after a dinner the two shared while Coker was recording the No Rest for the Wicked soundtrack in Vienna.
The report also reminds readers that Ori 2: Ori and the Will of the Wisps was released in 2020 to strong critical acclaim.
The Source & Credibility
We have two strands here: the Reset Era rumour and the direct comments from Thomas Mahler. According to Insider Gaming, Mahler’s public denial is explicit — he says he’s heard nothing of Microsoft reviving the franchise and labels the Ori 3 chatter as nonsense. That makes the denial a primary-source claim, albeit communicated on social media and relayed by Insider Gaming.
As always with rumours, weigh the origin. Online forum posts can gain traction quickly even when thin on verifiable detail. This is the same kind of pattern we’ve seen before with other high-profile whispers in the industry, like when a LinkedIn post sparked wild claims of a secret Elder Scrolls project. And Mahler’s remark about Microsoft’s handling of another major franchise — a reference that evokes management of Halo under 343 — ties into wider conversations about stewardship of beloved IPs (see our earlier report on Halo Studios).
In short: the Reset Era tip is unverified, while Mahler’s statements are direct but should be read with the usual caveats around social-media soundbites. If true, Mahler’s disclosure about Moon Studios exploring buying the IP back is a significant development; if not, the rumour remains just that.
What It Could Mean
If Mahler’s claim that Moon Studios has discussed purchasing the Ori IP is accurate, that would suggest the studio wants to retain creative control over the series it created. That’s a sensible thought given Mahler’s comment that it “makes sense for this one to come home to Moon.”
Conversely, if the Reset Era rumour about Saber Interactive working on a new Ori title were true, it would indicate Microsoft or its partners are exploring external development teams for the franchise. Mahler’s public doubt about other studios’ ability to handle the series — again per Insider Gaming — signals potential tension between IP owners and original creators over stewardship and tonal fidelity.
We also have an interesting creative aside: Gareth Coker, the series’ composer, allegedly told Mahler “it’s time” for another soundtrack. That doesn’t confirm a game is in development, but it does show internal creative appetite for returning to the world of Ori.
Why This Matters
Whether you’re a fan of the first two games or you follow studio-IP politics, this story matters because it touches on two core issues: who controls beloved franchises, and how rumours can shape expectations around major events like an Xbox Developer Direct or the upcoming Gamescom attention that originally fueled the chatter.
For now, Thomas Mahler has publicly pushed back and labeled the Ori 3 rumours “nonsense,” while also
