When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many assumed that Oblivion would overshadow its competitor. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement around the RPG genre, benefiting both games.
Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, discussed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's successful launch in an interview with The Game Business. He explained that RPG fans faced a challenging choice between diving into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embarking on an adventure to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive on social media.
In a humorous X/Twitter post, Kepler shared an image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the concurrent 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 significant supporter of Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion on the same day both titles became available on Game Pass.
Handrahan remained confident about Clair Obscur's unique appeal. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he stated. "The Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG appeal to different audiences. I've seen many players who enjoy Elder Scrolls games but wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa. By the time we launched, we had built our own momentum and felt confident standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing strategy and Game Pass inclusion ensured high interest. The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us at all; instead, it highlighted quality RPGs that week, sparking widespread discussion and interest in the genre."
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has achieved remarkable 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 has 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. The game has also seen significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
According to The Game Business, data from Ampere reveals that 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating substantial overlap, particularly among Game Pass users. This overlap decreases for players on Steam and PlayStation 5.
For more on *Oblivion Remastered*, check out our report on a player who managed to explore beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*.Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, a list of Things to Do First, all PC Cheat Codes, and much more.
For Clair Obscur, be sure to check out our tips for essential information before diving into the game.
