PS5 vs Xbox: Why the Ori Studio Just Jumped Ship for Its Next Game

Moon Studios, the acclaimed team behind the Ori games, is making headlines again, this time not for its whimsical platformers but for its business smarts. In a surprisingly candid post, CEO Thomas Mahler laid out exactly why their next game isn’t headed for Xbox Game Pass or focusing on Microsoft’s console strategy. According to Mahler, the decision to prioritise the PlayStation 5 over Xbox was less about console allegiance and more about (in his words) “common f*cking sense.”

Market logic over loyalty: A look at Moon Studios’ bold move

The studio’s next project, described as a “massive triple-A action RPG,” is in development with publisher Private Division. But what truly caught everyone’s eye was Mahler’s refreshingly honest explanation as to why Xbox isn’t the lead platform. The message was clear: sales data rules. “It just makes common f*cking sense,” Mahler said, throwing shade at misconceptions that this was a negotiation tactic or some kind of console shakedown.

It’s no secret that developers measure performance across platforms. And for Moon Studios, the numbers say it all: the PS5 user base simply generates better ROI for premium titles not tied into subscription ecosystems like Xbox Game Pass. Mahler was blunt, declaring that studios launching non-service games on Xbox can “basically kiss your sales goodbye.” That’s not an unheard-of criticism and mirrors what other developers have murmured quietly behind NDA-lined curtains. But Mahler? No filters, just facts… and a bit of frustration.

Why PS5 gets the spotlight (and Xbox doesn’t)

Right now, the market is skewing. PS5 is comfortably leading in global sales, and unlike Xbox, PlayStation’s library isn’t built around a subscription-first model. That has real consequences for independent and mid-sized studios like Moon, which depend on strong one-time sales to stay creative and viable. While Game Pass provides exposure and early cash injections, it can cripple long-term sales growth. Mahler pulls no punches: “We didn’t take the decision lightly. It wasn’t a shakedown. It’s just the path that lets our work thrive.”

He also took the opportunity to address fans head-on, especially those raising eyebrows about perceived console bias or shunning Xbox. “That’s not what’s happening,” Mahler explained. “Of course, we’d love to support all platforms. But that only works when it financially makes sense.” For now, that means focusing resources where returns are proven.

Xbox’s subscription-first approach isn’t inherently flawed. It’s just not ideal for every developer. Especially when agencies like Moon Studios pour years of narrative building, animation, art, and system design into a single product. Unfortunately for Xbox fans, this could mean a growing trend: studios pulling away from simultaneous launches or prioritising development effort towards platforms like the PS5 and even PC, where performance metrics favour long-term sustainability for these devs.

What this means for the industry — and future games from Moon

The reveal also sparks broader questions. As Game Pass reshapes consumer expectations about what a full-price game is “worth,” what happens to the premium indie scene? Moon Studios has a proven track record, producing hits like Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Those games were platform-defining for Xbox at the time. So when even studios like Moon opt out of that ecosystem, it’s a signal that business models are shifting.

This whole situation underscores why developers are watching platform economics closely. A visually stunning, mechanically dense single-player RPG isn’t just expensive to make; it’s financially risky without strong lifecycle sales.

And that’s exactly what Moon’s next game is shaping up to be. Though there’s no confirmed title just yet, expectations are high. If it delivers on the same emotional punch and polish fans came to love in Ori, then Mahler’s decision just might turn out to be the studio’s smartest move yet. Whether players agree with the PS5-first approach or not, the rationale behind it is simple: studios go where they survive. So for now, that’s not Xbox, and that’s not personal. That’s just business.