No Rest for the Wicked studio isn't prioritizing the Series X, as Xbox console strategy remains unclear

It has become standard for many third-party games to release on PlayStation and Xbox consoles. However, with declining sales of the Series X, some studios may reconsider their multi-platform plans. The CEO of Moon Studios, which develops the action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, made a surprising Discord post. Thomas Mahler revealed that due to "market conditions", the Xbox Series X|S version was now in doubt.

Mahler explained that the studio wanted to discuss its options with Microsoft. At first, some gamers interpreted the statement as a cancellation. Fortunately for Xbox fans, he later clarified that No Rest for the Wicked will likely ship "on all platforms". Even so, the company was prioritizing the PS5. Mahler also implied that the title would debut on the previously unconfirmed Switch 2.

The Moon Studios project has been in early access on PCs since April 2024. Gamers had expected to learn the No Rest for the Wicked release date for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. Those plans now seem less certain, at least regarding Xbox consoles.

Microsoft has been moving its focus away from its available consoles. Consequently, companies may no longer see the value in developing for the systems. When looking ahead, the rumored new Xbox console could surface in 2027. Even so, if it's Windows-based, there may not be any distinction between the PC and Xbox games it supports.

The software giant is also striving to make formerly exclusive Xbox games accessible on multiple devices. The upcoming Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC is an example of this strategy. Yet, it won't support all Series X and S games without cloud streaming.

Even former Xbox executives, like Mike Ybarra and Laura Fryer, find the Xbox Gaming roadmap confusing. It's not shocking that developers like Moon Studios also have questions about existing and future hardware.