Microsoft May Be Bringing Ori Back With a New XBOX Game

A mysterious new project reportedly in development at Saber Interactive could be the next chapter of Microsoft's beloved Ori franchise.

Microsoft might be getting ready to bring one of its most beloved franchises back from the shadows. A new report has sparked speculation that another Ori game could be in development, and this time, the project may be handled by a division of Saber Interactive.

The rumor stems from information circulating about a mysterious Microsoft game described as either a sequel or a new entry in an existing franchise. At first, that description could have applied to plenty of XBOX properties. Microsoft owns a huge collection of studios and IPs, making the guessing game particularly difficult.

Sources, however, say the mystery project is a "new Ori" game. One of Saber Interactive’s divisions is reportedly developing the project, with an announcement planned for later this year. That does not necessarily mean fans should expect to see it at Gamescom. The project could appear there, but there is reportedly no confirmation of that yet.

Instead, the game may be better suited for a Microsoft Developer Direct planned for the fall.

That makes quite a bit of sense. Microsoft has used Developer Direct presentations to showcase major XBOX projects while occasionally slipping in unexpected announcements. So, if a mystery game suddenly appears during one of these events, it would hardly be the first time XBOX has pulled that trick.

But one big question remains: why Saber Interactive? The answer could be connected to the original developer, Moon Studios. The studio created both Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, turning the series into one of XBOX's most recognizable indie franchises. However, Moon Studios has since moved on to other projects.

Microsoft still owns the Ori franchise, though, which means the door is technically open for another studio to continue exploring that world. Saber Interactive could be a practical choice. The company has multiple development teams and has worked on a wide range of games. Taking on an Ori project would certainly be ambitious, but it is not difficult to imagine one of Saber's teams handling it.

Interestingly, the rumor doesn't specifically name the game Ori 3.

That could be a small but important detail. Microsoft might not be planning a direct sequel at all. But the new project might explore a different portion of the Ori universe, introduce new characters, or take the franchise in a whole new direction. Of course, none of this has been officially confirmed yet.

There is no announcement date, no confirmed developer, and no guarantee that the game will show up at Gamescom. For now, it remains a rumor worth watching. Still, the idea of returning to Ori's beautiful world is enough to get fans excited. If Microsoft really is preparing a new Ori game, the bigger question may be whether it is saving the reveal for Gamescom—or waiting to drop the surprise during its next Developer Direct.