Moon Studios Founder Promises No Battle Passes or Microtransactions in Future Games: “Kick Me in the Balls” if You Find One
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In a bold statement, No Rest for the Wicked director Thomas Mahler declared that if microtransactions ever appear in one of his games, players should feel free to give him a kick in the nuts.
Mahler, who co-founded Moon Studios with Gennadiy Korol in 2010, took to social media to emphasize his commitment to anti-greed principles, putting his own well-being on the line.
“If we ever introduce a microtransaction Battle Pass or similar features, feel free to walk up to me and give me a kick as a reminder to stay true to our values,” Mahler stated. “I firmly believe that quality will always prevail because players are not easily fooled.”
While microtransactions and battle passes have become less of a concern with the rise of AI threatening the essence of art, they still remain an unwelcome addition to gaming. Mahler attributes this trend to greed, which is likely accurate.
“The relationship between developers and players must always favor the players, as they ultimately determine our success,” Mahler explained. “Developers are here to serve the community, not themselves.”
“We are committed to delivering exceptional value at a fair price, ensuring that players receive high-quality experiences and remain excited for what’s next. That’s how it should be.”
Freemium monetization is prevalent in live-service and multiplayer games, but it has also infiltrated single-player titles, often through unique items or upgrades. Fortunately, Mahler has made it clear that such practices will not be part of any Moon Studios game as long as he’s at the helm.
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“Any developer still selling horse armor or compromising their game design to squeeze extra cash from players clearly hasn’t caught up with the times.
“Greed isn’t good. And in the end, Gordon Gekko faced the consequences,” Mahler remarked, referencing the infamous character from Wall Street who ultimately ended up in jail.
No Rest for the Wicked entered Steam Early Access in 2024, with a full 1.0 update planned for PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5 at an unspecified date.
The lead developer of No Rest for the Wicked aims to replicate the success of Baldur’s Gate 3 upon its Early Access launch, with hopes of sustaining growth like Minecraft or Fortnite for years to come.
