Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that not only became the highest-rated title of 2025 but also sold over 1 million copies in just three days. Learn about the creative journey that led to its development and how Sandfall Interactive was born from a spark of boredom and a desire for innovation.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as an instant classic, earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025. Its origin story is equally compelling—it was born out of the director's boredom and a yearning to break from the norm.
In a revealing interview with BBC News on May 4, Sandfall Interactive's developers shared the game's inception story. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the project began as a way to combat his restlessness during the 2020 pandemic while working at Ubisoft. Inspired by his lifelong love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create a similar JRPG experience, embarking on his journey with nothing more than a post on Reddit.
A Stroke of Luck
Broche's vision for a Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game initially didn't garner much excitement. Undeterred, he reached out across Reddit and various online forums, seeking like-minded individuals to join his cause.
Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, stumbled upon one of Broche's posts seeking voice actors. Intrigued, she auditioned and was initially cast for a major character role. Her involvement soon expanded, and she became the lead writer for Expedition 33.
Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive in the process. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team grew to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels, such as composer Lorien Testard, discovered on Soundcloud.
Kepler Interactive's backing also enabled Sandfall to collaborate with renowned actors including Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, enriching the game's narrative depth.
Despite the expanding team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their multifaceted roles during production. The core team members often took on multiple responsibilities, with Svedberg-Yen handling translations across various languages. Broche praised the team, noting, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."
The story of Expedition 33's creation is as enchanting as the game itself. Fueled by boredom and serendipity, Sandfall Interactive crafted a masterpiece destined to be cherished for generations. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by checking out our dedicated article below!
