🔗 Share this article

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just an impressive Game of the Year candidate, but also a huge financial hit. Developer Sandfall Interactive along with publisher Kepler Interactive disclosed that this title topped five million copies in sales, this is in spite of it being a day-one release on Xbox Game Pass.

The game's performance came as an unexpected turn to Sandfall. I was convinced that we'd create an enjoyable experience garnering some average commercial success,” the COO and producer stated.

A technical director remarked that Clair Obscur’s Metacritic rating, rated 93 by critics, was the most surprising moment to the team relative to what we anticipated and the actual outcome of the field was. Because when it dropped everybody in the studio was screaming and jumping. It was really frantic.”

That success prompted work on a free update for players featuring fresh areas, enemies, plus epic encounters, reportedly would be out sometime soon.

That said, despite the game's evolution, fans shouldn't anticipate the studio to grow. Our team includes a talented crew guided by a visionary director possessing strong ideas for this game and also for new ideas. We'd like to keep the human scale that made this possible then develop major titles sequentially,” the executive said.

The size of Sandfall drummed up plenty of debate upon the title's release. Certain industry figures, including renowned designers, viewed Sandfall’s team as the “ideal” for game development. While Sandfall was and is relatively lean next to major studios, a quick look at Expedition 33’s credits shows that many individuals were involved; Sandfall partnered with overseas animators for animation work, as an instance.

“Some hiring will occur a little more certainly if we have next an upcoming production peak down the line,” the producer stated. “However, I envision more of a workshop comprising a handful exceptionally gifted creators that create a work of art together.” They emphasized that the studio's philosophy as developers “aims to keep the successful elements that made this achievement possible originally.”

While it may be too early for Sandfall to reveal exact details what’s next — believe me, I attempted to learn more — the developers understand their essential identity. “Turn-based gameplay, I think it's in the DNA of what we built,” a developer remarked. “The timing isn't right to announce future passions, but it's important also to stay true to the DNA of studio with [a] strong narrative universe plus innovative play that excites us.”

They added that the project originated from the visionary pursuing his ideal project. We aspire that philosophy we will be able to do with upcoming games.”