Moon Studios is now self-publishing No Rest for the Wicked after split with Take-Two

Moon Studios has secured the publishing rights No Rest for the Wicked, their action RPG which is currently in Steam Early Access, cutting ties with Take-Two following the closure of original publishing label Private Division.

Characterising the change as making them “fully independent”, the studio states “We have secured the publishing rights for No Rest for the Wicked, allowing us to execute our vision without restrictions.”

Further to this, the team revealed the next big update for the game, The Breach, which will arrive on 30th April, confirmed that co-op is coming after that, and that Ori series composer Gareth Coker is returning to contribute new music to the game.

No Rest for the Wicked is the first game from Moon Studios after their fruitful partnership with Microsoft for Ori and the Blind Forest and its sequel. The studio signed on with Take-Two’s indie-oriented publishing label Private Division, announcing and releasing the game into Early Access in early 2024.

Take-Two decided to sell off Private Division late last year, confirming the closure of multiple studios in the process, but with the sole exception to the sale being that they would retain publishing of No Rest for the Wicked. An odd situation, and while we’re obviously not privy to the behind-the-scenes negotiations since then, it’s clear that Moon Studios felt that they and their game would be best served by self-publishing.

To mark the shift to self-publishing, the studio has launched a 30% off independence sale. This is leading through to The Breach next month, which will include:

• New Story & Areas – Players will continue their journey, exploring Lowland Meadows and Marin Woods, encountering fresh threats like the Harvesters and the Balak Taw.
• Expanded Combat & Builds – New weapon archetypes (Gauntlets & Wands), new enemies, and an updated loot system for more build variety.
• Replayability Enhancements – Dynamic world changes with the ‘Alive’ System, where factions and enemies dynamically reshape the game worldt
  The Plague System unleashes powerful new plagued enemies and bosses. Pestilence outbreaks now occur all over Sacra, and the player can cleanse these regions to gain potent new plagued resources.
• Revamped Systems – Ability to teleport directly to their house, Improved item stacking, new fast travel options, refined enchantments, and major quality-of-life improvements, including improvements to timers and an entirely overhauled storage system.
• Hardcore Mode – A new option for the most dedicated players.
• Visual & Performance Upgrades – Enhanced lighting, improved DLSS implementation, and optimizations for smoother gameplay.

We looked at the game with its early access release, saying in our preview, “No Rest For The Wicked is a beautiful dark fantasy epic, and here at the outset of it’s journey through Early Access there’s very few reasons for you not to experience its dangerous charms.”

Tags: Moon Studios, No Rest for the Wicked, Private Division, Take-Two