Kepler Interactive
Kepler Interactive business and news from across the web.
Orbitals Doesn't Just Capture The Retro Anime Look, But Its Childlike Wonder As WellOrbitals is a co-op platformer adventure game developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, aiming to capture the look and feel of retro anime. The game features a narrative inspired by shonen stories and emphasizes communication and coordination between players. Its gameplay mechanics are designed to create emergent, fun moments with asymmetrical design, and it will offer both local and online co-op at launch.
This Co-Op Anime Adventure Couldn't Have Been Anything Else, Says Orbitals TeamDevelopers from Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive discuss the creation of their co-op anime adventure game, Orbitals. Creative director Marcos Ramos and game director Jakob Lundgren detail how the game evolved from its initial top-down robot concept to its current anime-inspired aesthetic, emphasizing the importance of character design and the co-op experience. The team also highlights their collaboration with Studio Massket for cutscene animation and their dedication to capturing the authentic feel of '80s anime through meticulous attention to detail.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch lead at BAFTA Awards 2026Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch each won three awards at the BAFTA Awards 2026. Clair Obscur secured Best Game, Debut Game, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English, while Dispatch won for Animation, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffrey Wright. Ilkka Paananen, CEO of Supercell, received a BAFTA Fellowship.
Games Inbox: Is Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 worth the hype?Readers discuss whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which won multiple awards including Best Game at the BAFTAs, lives up to the hype, with some considering purchasing it despite not typically enjoying RPGs. Other topics include the merits of the PlayStation 4 generation, the future of VR, and the perceived bias in the BAFTA video game awards.
10 Best turn-based RPGs to play in 2026This list highlights 10 of the best turn-based RPGs to play in 2026, featuring a mix of indie gems, JRPG classics, and modern masterpieces. The ranking includes titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Persona 5 Royal, and the upcoming Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, covering various platforms such as PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch.- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 completes its Infinity Gauntlet by collecting the final GOTY awardClair Obscur: Expedition 33 has secured its final major Game of the Year award, a BAFTA for Best Game, completing its impressive collection. The game also won a BAFTA for Best Performer in a Lead Role for Jennifer English. This indie title has received widespread critical acclaim, including awards from The Game Awards, D.I.C.E. Awards, and Golden Joysticks, solidifying its status as a standout JRPG.
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.
We must demand worse graphics to save the video games industry - Reader’s FeatureA 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.
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 twistJennifer 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.
Expedition 33 Actor Bet Someone 33 Baguettes That The Game Would Be A Huge HitExpedition 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.
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.
"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 RPGVoice 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.
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.
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.
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.- The turn-based tactical RPG, Solasta II, is now available via Steam EATactical 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.
Clair Obscur and Dispatch lead BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominationsClair 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.- 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.
26th Annual Game Developers Choice Award Winners RevealedThe 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.
BAFTA Game Awards 2026 nominations revealed, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads in nine categoriesThe 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.