Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that not only clinched the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 but also sold over 1 million copies in just three days. This instant classic was born out of a surprising blend of boredom and a desire for innovation, as shared by the game's director and the team at Sandfall Interactive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as a testament to creativity and perseverance. Director Guillaume Broche, feeling restless during the height of the 2020 pandemic while working at Ubisoft, channeled his boredom into a passion project inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series. His vision was to craft a JRPG with a unique twist, leading him to start the journey on Reddit.
A Stroke of Luck
Broche's initial outreach on Reddit and online forums was a leap of faith. Despite the lukewarm reception to the concept of a Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game, he persisted. His determination paid off when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, locked down in Australia, responded to a call for voice actors. What began as an audition for a major character role evolved into her becoming the lead writer for Expedition 33.
With a vision in place, Broche left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, establishing Sandfall Interactive. The project gained momentum with funding from Kepler Interactive, enabling the team to grow to about 30 members. This expansion included talents like composer Lorien Testard, found through Soundcloud, and renowned actors such as Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, all contributing to the game's success.
Throughout the development, both Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized the versatility of the team, noting how members took on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, also handled translations. Broche praised the team's dedication, highlighting their investment and talent despite their junior status.
The creation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a story of magic and serendipity, proving that with the right mix of boredom, passion, and luck, groundbreaking games can be born. This generational game is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates and more information, be sure to check out our article below!
