Six years of silence surrounding Ori may finally be coming to an end—but it is still too early to celebrate ahead of Gamescom. Prominent insider NateTheHate says a new game in the series is indeed in development, although he cannot confirm whether it will appear at Europe’s biggest gaming event.
That distinction changes how the news should be interpreted. This is no longer just another fan theory, but a potential return for one of Xbox’s most recognizable modern franchises. However, neither Microsoft nor the developers have officially confirmed that the project exists.
Table of Contents
What We Know About the New Ori Game
The rumors began with reports about an unexpected sequel to one of Xbox’s relatively recent franchises. The project was said to be in development at an external studio, with insiders describing Microsoft’s choice of developer as particularly intriguing.
NateTheHate later clarified that the mysterious project he had been referring to was a new Ori game. According to his information, the title is already in production and could be announced before the end of 2026. However, he did not confirm an exact reveal date or say whether the game would appear during Gamescom Opening Night Live.
Here is what we currently know:
-
a new Ori game is reportedly in development;
-
the project has not been officially announced;
-
its reveal could take place before the end of 2026;
-
an appearance at Gamescom 2026 has not been confirmed;
-
the game may be in development at an external studio;
-
its official title, platforms, and release date remain unknown.
It is important to separate confirmed information from industry rumors. NateTheHate has a strong track record, but an insider’s comments are not a substitute for an official Microsoft announcement. Until the first trailer appears, it is more accurate to call the project a new Ori game rather than Ori 3. It could be a direct sequel, a spin-off, or even a broader reimagining of the franchise.
Will the New Ori Game Be Revealed at Gamescom 2026?
Gamescom would be a logical place to bring the franchise back. Opening Night Live takes place on August 25, while the main exhibition will run in Cologne from August 26 to August 30. Xbox will attend the event and is preparing presentations featuring both first-party games and projects from external partners.
Despite that, there has been no direct promise that the new Ori will appear. The insider’s comments leave room for several possible scenarios.
| Possible Scenario | Estimated Likelihood | What Could Be Shown |
|---|---|---|
| Reveal during Opening Night Live | Moderately likely | A short teaser and official title |
| Separate Xbox presentation at Gamescom | Moderately likely | A trailer or the first gameplay details |
| Announcement later in 2026 | Highly likely | A full reveal at a separate Xbox event |
| No announcement in 2026 | Cannot be ruled out | The reveal could be delayed due to production plans |
If Ori does not appear at Gamescom, that would not necessarily mean the game has been canceled or that the entire leak was inaccurate. Microsoft may be saving the project for a separate Xbox presentation or Developer Direct, where it would not have to compete for attention with dozens of other announcements.
Who Could Be Developing Ori Instead of Moon Studios?
The most important question is not when the game will be revealed, but which team is creating it. Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps were developed by Moon Studios. The studio is now focused on its action RPG No Rest for the Wicked, however, and no longer appears to be the obvious developer of another Ori installment.
Unconfirmed reports have linked the project to one of Saber Interactive’s divisions. That claim should be treated cautiously: NateTheHate has supported reports that a new Ori game exists, but there is still no reliable public confirmation of the studio responsible for it.
A new development team could affect almost every part of the experience:
-
the visual direction and animation;
-
world design and the pace of exploration;
-
the difficulty of platforming challenges;
-
the combat system;
-
the emotional presentation of the story;
-
the game’s technical condition at launch.
For fans, this is both a risk and the biggest source of intrigue. Ori is loved for more than its beautiful artwork. The series became famous for its precise controls, naturally interconnected abilities, expressive music, and environmental storytelling. A new developer would need to preserve that identity instead of simply recreating a glowing protagonist and a painted forest.
What Players Should Expect From a Possible Ori 3
It is too early to speculate about the story or system requirements because no footage, gameplay descriptions, or official materials have been released. Instead, there are several more meaningful details to watch for whenever the first presentation takes place.
Microsoft first needs to identify the developer and explain the project’s format. Players will also want to know whether the new Ori remains a traditional 2D Metroidvania or takes the franchise in a different direction. Platforms are another important question. The previous games are available not only on Xbox and PC but also on Nintendo Switch, so Microsoft’s distribution plans could reveal a great deal about its strategy for the series.
If the game is genuinely targeting a 2026 release, its first presentation should include more than a cinematic teaser. With such a short gap between announcement and launch, the project would presumably already be at an advanced stage of development, making some gameplay footage a reasonable expectation. For now, however, the rumored 2026 release window remains unconfirmed.
Why Ori’s Return Would Matter for Xbox
The Metroidvania genre has become considerably more competitive during Ori’s absence. Players have received numerous major releases, while expectations for world design, movement, and exploration have continued to rise. A new Ori game will not be able to rely on beautiful visuals alone—it will need a strong mechanical identity of its own.
For Xbox, bringing Ori back would be an opportunity to revive a beloved franchise without turning it into another enormous live-service project. For players, it could offer a focused and complete adventure where movement and world design matter more than the size of the map.
The key takeaway is simple: a new Ori game most likely exists, but its appearance at Gamescom 2026 remains only a possibility. If it skips the August event, fans should watch for additional Xbox presentations before the end of the year. The real test will not be a beautiful logo, but the name of the developer and the first gameplay footage—those details will reveal whether Ori has managed to preserve its identity after such a long absence.
