"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Turns Boredom into 2025 GotY Hopeful"

Discover the inspiring journey 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. This instant classic was born out of a moment of boredom and a desire to innovate, as shared by its creators at Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a testament to creativity and perseverance. In an exclusive interview with BBC News on May 4, Director Guillaume Broche revealed that the project's inception was driven by his need to break the monotony he experienced while working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create a game that would resonate similarly with players.

A Stroke of Luck

Broche's journey began on Reddit, where he reached out to potential collaborators to bring his vision of a Belle Époque-inspired turn-based RPG to life. Despite initial skepticism about the concept, his determination paid off when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, then under lockdown in Australia, responded to a call for voice actors. Her audition not only landed her a role but also led her to become the lead writer for Expedition 33.

After leaving Ubisoft, Broche founded Sandfall Interactive to focus entirely on Expedition 33. With funding from Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to approximately 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels like Soundcloud, where they connected with composer Lorien Testard. The support from Kepler Interactive also allowed them to cast renowned actors such as Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, adding depth and star power to the game.

Throughout the development process, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized the versatility and dedication of their team. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, took on additional roles such as translations, highlighting the team's collaborative spirit. 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 magical origins of Expedition 33 are as enchanting as the game itself. Driven by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a title that promises to captivate gamers for generations. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest on the game by checking out our article below!