Moon Studios becomes ‘fully independent’ after securing No Relaxation for the Detrimental’s publishing rights

Developer Moon Studios has transformed into “fully independent” after securing the publishing rights to its forthcoming action-RPG, No Rest for the Wicked.

Take-Two Interactive’s spun-off Private Division label was originally slated to release the project. Once the label was sold, Moon spent “months” negotiating for the publishing rights to No Rest for the Wicked. The game was not included in the sale of Private Division’s current and unreleased assets as Take-Two had initially intended to continue supporting it.

What remains of the label is now reportedly under the control of former Annapurna Interactive employees and Haveli Investments (thanks Bloomberg).

“Now we have secured the publishing rights for No Rest for the Wicked, enabling us to pursue our vision without limitations,” stated Moon during its recent showcase.

Moon is the latest studio to break away from its publishing partner and embark on its own journey. Back in 2024, Endless Dungeoncreator Amplitude chose the indie path after separating from Sega.

Canadian developer Yellow Brick Games also opted to self-publish its debut title, Eternal Strands, after Private Division faced significant cuts. That same year, Remedy Entertainment announced it too would self-publish titles such as Control 2 and FBC: Firebreak, though with some assistance from Annapurna and Tencent.

Just because a studio is self-publishing does not mean it entirely relinquishes third-party titles. Outriders developer People Can Fly aims to self-publish some of its projects while still taking on contract jobs when possible, similar to co-developingGears of War: E-Day with the Coalition.

No Rest for the Wicked will mark Moon’s initial venture into self-publishing. The two Ori games were managed by Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios.

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