Microsoft Stops Working With Moon Studios After Reports on Workplace Toxicity

Following a report by GamesBeat about accusations of an abusive workplace, Microsoft has apparently parted ways with Moon Studios. As the developers behind the Ori series, Moon Studios allegedly created a workplace fraught with racism, sexism, and general toxicity.

An anonymous developer at Moon Studios was quoted in the initial report, saying: “We really created something special, and I know the only way I was able to reconcile it was I was able to watch people on Twitch and watch other people get moved by it, and that was actually part of my healing process. Because maybe my suffering was worth it because other people felt something. In the end, I mean, so many of us were burned out.”

When GamesBeat reached out for a comment from Moon Studios’ leaders, the response they received claimed that they felt the accusations weren’t representative of the studio. You can read Thomas Mahler and Gennadiy Korol’s entire response in the full report.

According to Direct-Feed Games on Twitter, Microsoft will be partnering with Private Division for their next release, as they will no longer be working alongside Moon Studios. Private Division has published some pretty huge games, like The Outer Worlds and Hades, so this new partnership makes sense going forward.

As a result of the oppressive conditions, Microsoft stopped relations with Moon Studio — leading them to partner with Private Division for their next release.

A powerful move by Microsoft to show zero tolerance for such behaviour. A step in the right direction. https://t.co/EN11DfQNEu

— Direct-Feed Games (@DirectFeedGames) March 18, 2022