New Leaks Suggest Xbox’s Most Visually Stunning Game Series Is Making a Comeback

Anticipation is rapidly mounting within the gaming community as fresh leaks suggest a new installment in the beloved Ori franchise may soon be unveiled. The rumors gained momentum following several intriguing hints dropped by prominent industry insider Nate the Hate across social media and gaming forums.

The speculation began when Nate teased on X (formerly Twitter) that Xbox was preparing an exciting announcement lined up for Gamescom. Further details promptly surfaced in discussions on the ResetEra forums, pointing toward a brand-new Ori title currently in production under a third-party development team.

Adding credibility to the claims, Windows Central’s Jez Corden substantiated the reports via his Patreon platform. Corden noted that Microsoft is gearing up for noteworthy announcements, including an unexpected sequel reveal. While he quickly quelled expectations regarding a Banjo-Kazooie revival, his comments fueled widespread excitement. In subsequent discussions, Nate reiterated that multiple independent sources had corroborated the project’s existence.

A New Creative Direction for the Franchise

Before directly naming the project, Nate highlighted that his primary intrigue stemmed from the specific studio chosen to helm the intellectual property. He later confirmed the details outright on ResetEra, stating, “A new Ori is what I was referring to. I do not have confirmation whether it will or won’t be at Gamescom, yet.”

Complementary reports on the forum from user Kiri_Kis557 suggested that a division under Saber Interactive might be steering development. However, because these claims remain unverified by official channels, the exact studio involved could still differ.

Original developer Moon Studios set a high benchmark for the Metroidvania genre with Ori and the Blind Forest and its critically acclaimed follow-up, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. Following those releases, the studio stated in an interview with Game Informer that they viewed Ori’s narrative arc as complete, shifting their full creative focus to their dark action-RPG, No Rest for the Wicked. Because Microsoft owns the intellectual property rights, the publisher is free to continue the series with a different creative partner.

While an appearance at Gamescom Opening Night Live remains unconfirmed, industry whispers indicate that a potential target release could land around 2026, making an official showcase likely in the near future.

Source: Polygon