When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed it would overshadow the newcomer. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact their game, but it actually enhanced the excitement for the RPG genre as a whole.
Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrived despite the competitive launch environment.
To set the stage, RPG enthusiasts were faced with a choice: dive into the vast world of Oblivion’s Cyrodiil or embark on an expedition to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a playful response from Kepler Interactive on social media.
In a tweet, Kepler shared an image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, humorously captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," referencing the simultaneous release of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.
omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc
— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025
Microsoft, the owner of Bethesda and a major supporter of Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for shadow-dropping Oblivion alongside Clair Obscur, especially since both were available on Game Pass from day one.
Despite these concerns, Handrahan remained optimistic. “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity,” he explained. “In my time in the press, I noticed that Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs appealed to different audiences. Many fans of Elder Scrolls might not play Final Fantasy, and vice versa.
“Moreover, by the time we launched, we had built our own momentum. We were confident in our game’s appeal, especially with our competitive pricing and inclusion in Game Pass. Everything went as well as we could have hoped. The proximity to Oblivion didn’t harm us; rather, it seemed to increase interest in quality RPGs that week, keeping the genre at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has become a significant success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The game's success even earned praise from French President Macron.Bethesda announced that Oblivion Remastered has attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. It, too, has seen strong concurrent player numbers on Steam.
The Game Business cited Ampere data showing that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating significant crossover. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with a lower overlap percentage among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.
For more on Oblivion Remastered, check out our report on a player who managed to escape Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.We also offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, all PC Cheat Codes, and more.
For Clair Obscur, don’t miss our tips on the essential things to know before diving into the game.
