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Kepler Interactive

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Retro GamerPositive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Gustave actor Charlie Cox says Sandfall "should get Robert Pattinson to play the…

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor Charlie Cox believes Robert Pattinson would be a fitting choice to play the game's protagonist, Gustave, in a potential movie adaptation. Cox, who voiced Gustave, expressed interest in still providing the voice work for such a project, noting the resemblance between Pattinson and the character.

Metro UKPositive

We must demand worse graphics to save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature

A reader argues that the video game industry must reduce graphics fidelity to combat unsustainable development costs, which have reached $300 million for some titles. The author highlights indie success stories like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which achieved massive profits on a small budget, suggesting that publishers should prioritize lower budgets, PlayStation 4-level graphics, shorter game lengths, and cheaper prices over chasing hyper-realistic visuals.

Retro GamerPositive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer says one actor's "charisma" did "some heavy lifting in helping us get the players over the hurdle of accepting Verso" and moving on from the RPG's big early twist

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, lead writer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, credits voice actor Ben Starr's charismatic performance for helping players accept the character Verso after a significant early narrative twist. Starr's nuanced delivery balanced making Verso likable while maintaining player wariness, a crucial element for the game's plot progression.

GamespotVery positive

Expedition 33 Actor Bet Someone 33 Baguettes That The Game Would Be A Huge Hit

Expedition 33 has achieved significant commercial success, selling over 5 million copies and surpassing Elden Ring's record for Game of the Year awards. The game's voice actor, Aliona Baranova, famously bet 33 baguettes that it would sell 1 million copies in its first week, a milestone it achieved within 72 hours. Despite the unexpected success, developer Sandfall aims to prioritize its creative vision over fan-pleasing for future projects.

Retro GamerPositive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Maelle actor recorded her audition at 2am while in bed because "she forgot to do…

Jennifer English, the voice actor for Maelle in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, shared that she recorded her audition tape for the role late at night while in bed due to forgetting about it. Despite the last-minute rush, she successfully secured the part. English also commented on the varied nature of video game audition processes.

Retro GamerVery positive

"I didn't expect them to have the same impact as Final Fantasy 16": Clair Obscur Expedition 33's Ben Starr thought "being an idiot with Balatro" would be his biggest role of 2025, not Sandfall's surprise-hit RPG

Voice actor Ben Starr expressed surprise at the significant success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, noting it unexpectedly rivaled the impact of Final Fantasy 16. Starr, who also contributed to Hades 2, initially believed his biggest role of 2025 would be related to Balatro. The RPG's widespread acclaim highlights a strong player demand for its specific style.

Retro GamerPositive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 makes you "complicit" in moments like the RPG's first big twist, lead writer says, so you can "experience what grief feels like in this world"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's lead writer, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, stated that Sandfall Interactive aimed to make players feel "complicit in the story" and experience grief through a major plot twist. The game's interactive nature is key to immersing players in the narrative decisions and character developments, particularly following the death of the protagonist Gustave.

Retro GamerVery positive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead writer doesn't use AI for work because "writing is part of the joy," and…

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, lead writer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stated she does not use AI in her writing process, emphasizing that the creative and emotional struggle is integral to the joy and authenticity of storytelling. She believes AI cannot replicate the human experience and perspective necessary for genuine narrative creation.

Retro GamerPositive

Daredevil actor Charlie Cox says he's acting in another video game after playing Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33: "It has seemingly opened up a new avenue for my professional work"

Actor Charlie Cox, known for playing Daredevil, has revealed he is acting in another video game this year, following his debut in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Cox stated that this new role is more involved than his previous one and has opened up a new professional avenue for him, expressing surprise at the passion of video game communities.

N4GNeutral

The turn-based tactical RPG, Solasta II, is now available via Steam EA

Tactical Adventures and Kepler Interactive have launched their turn-based tactical RPG, Solasta II, in Steam Early Access. The game is now available for PC players to experience.

Gamedeveloper.comPositive

Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch lead the BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations with 12 and nine nods respectively. A total of 42 titles received nominations across various categories, with Ghost of Yotei, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, and Arc Raiders also securing multiple nominations. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17, 2026, in London.

Retro GamerNeutral

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 writer says picking an ending is like choosing "my favorite child," but ultimately the finales are "two sides of the same coin"

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, lead writer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, described choosing between the game's two endings as difficult, comparing it to selecting a favorite child. She explained that the endings, Verso and Maelle, were written in tandem and are meant to be understood together as two sides of the same coin.

Gamer HeroesNeutral

26th Annual Game Developers Choice Award Winners Revealed

The winners of the 26th annual Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 taking home multiple accolades including Game of the Year. The awards celebrate creativity, artistry, and technical achievement in the gaming industry. The article also briefly mentions other industry news, including game releases and developer updates.

Games IndustryVery positive

BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads in nine categories

The nominations for the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards have been revealed, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading with 12 nominations, including Best Game. Other notable nominees for Best Game include Dispatch and Ghost of Yōtei. The awards ceremony will take place on April 17, 2026, in London.

Games IndustryVery positive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Game of the Year at Game Developers Choice Awards 2026

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive won Game of the Year at the 26th annual Game Developers Choice Awards, also securing awards for Best Debut, Best Visual Art, Best Audio, and Best Narrative. Other notable winners included Death Stranding 2: On the Beach for Best Technology and Blue Prince for Best Design and the Innovation Award. The Independent Games Festival also announced its winners, with Titanium Court taking home the Seumas McNally Grand Prize.

GamespotVery positive

Expedition 33 Wins Yet Another GOTY--See All The Winners From The 2026 Game Dev Awards

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the big winner at the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards, taking home Game of the Year, Best Visual Art, Best Narrative, Best Audio, and Best Debut. Blue Prince also received multiple awards, including Best Design and Innovation. Don Daglow was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rebecca Ann Heineman received the Ambassador Award posthumously.

Nintendo EverythingNeutral

2026 Game Developers Choice Awards winners announced

The winners for the 2026 Game Developers Choice Awards have been announced. Several titles were recognized across various categories, including Best Audio, Best Debut, Best Design, Innovation Award, Best Narrative, Best Technology, Best Visual Art, Social Impact, and Audience Award. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Blue Prince were among the most nominated games.

Metro UKVery positive

Bafta Games 2026 nominees announced and it’s another Clair Obscur sweep

The nominations for the Bafta Games Awards 2026 have been announced, with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leading the pack with 12 nominations, matching its record at The Game Awards. Dispatch and Arc Raiders also received multiple nominations, including for Best Game. The awards ceremony is scheduled for April 17.

Playstation USVery positive

How the Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dev process powered creative design freedom

Sandfall Interactive's CTO Tom Guillermin details the development process for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, emphasizing how the team leveraged Unreal Engine's Blueprint visual scripting to grant designers maximum creative freedom. This approach allowed for efficient iteration and asset reuse, enabling the small studio to achieve its creative vision for the RPG, which is available on PlayStation 5.

Gamedeveloper.comPositive

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was built '95 percent' with Unreal Engine Blueprints

Sandfall Interactive's upcoming game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, was developed using Unreal Engine's Blueprints system for approximately 95 percent of its creation. This visual scripting approach allowed the small development team to achieve a highly polished look by enabling designers and artists to implement content with fewer programming roadblocks.