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Shuhei Yoshida told Expedition 33 studio to avoid terms like 'turn-based RPG' because it may cause people to "overlook" the game
Veteran PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida advised Expedition 33 developers Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive to avoid marketing the game solely as a 'turn-based RPG,' believing the term might cause players to overlook its innovative combat. The team adopted the term 'reactive turn-based battles' instead, contributing to the game's commercial and critical success, selling 5.5 million copies and receiving multiple awards.
Ex PlayStation boss told Clair Obscur Expedition 33 devs not to call it a turn-based RPG: "That alone might cause…
Former Sony Interactive president Shuhei Yoshida advised Kepler Interactive to avoid marketing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a turn-based RPG due to perceived market unpopularity. Despite this guidance, the game, developed by Sandfall Interactive, was released to critical acclaim and numerous awards, ultimately helping to revitalize interest in the genre. Yoshida shared this anecdote at the Busan Indie Connect Festival 2026.
How to make the perfect video game according to Google AI - Reader's Feature
A reader explores the concept of the 'perfect video game' by asking Google's AI for its criteria, which include good controls, clear rules, no wasted time, and good style. The AI's top picks were Super Mario World, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Elden Ring, prompting a discussion on how games like Grand Theft Auto 5 and Assassin's Creed succeed and fail in meeting these standards.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's "untranslatable" inspiration is finally getting an English release after 22…
Alain Damasio's influential French novel, Horde of the Counterwind, which inspired the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is finally receiving its first English translation. The book, originally published over two decades ago, will be available in the US on October 13 and in the UK on November 12. The novel's complex wordplay had previously made it a challenging text to translate.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33's studio is a manor that looks just like the one in the RPG, but it was a pure coincidence: "It shouldn't feel like coming to an office"
Sandfall Interactive, the developer behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, coincidentally found an office space in a manor that closely resembles the one in their game. Creative director Guillaume Broche stated their philosophy was to create a warm, house-like environment rather than a traditional office. The team values their current, smaller space to maintain an independent spirit and foster close communication.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 on Switch 2 is a "big technical challenge" because many Unreal Engine features "don't work," leads say, but Sandfall is "interested" in pulling it off
Developer Sandfall Interactive has stated that bringing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the Nintendo Switch 2 presents a significant technical challenge due to Unreal Engine 5 features not working as expected on the platform. While interested in a port, the studio acknowledges the hardware's limitations compared to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, impacting their ability to achieve the desired visual fidelity.
Gorgeous retro anime-style co-op adventure Orbitals will have a free friend pass at launch so only one half of your duo…
The co-op adventure game Orbitals will feature a free Friend's Pass at launch, allowing a second player to join without purchasing the game. Developed by Shapefarm and published by Kepler Interactive, the anime-style title will be available on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, supporting both local and online co-op modes.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 leads call PlayStation killing discs a "sad decision" after buying boxed copies of their own RPG – "For us, physical was something special"
Developers from Sandfall Interactive, creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, have expressed sadness over Sony's decision to end physical disc production for PlayStation consoles in 2028. Creative director Guillaume Broche and CTO Tom Guillermin believe physical media is a special and tangible part of art, despite understanding the business rationale. The studio even went out of its way to produce and purchase physical copies of their own game.
We need games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as a cure for the "fear" in the industry,…
Industry professionals are calling for more creative courage in game development, citing titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Balatro, and Peak as examples of innovation. They argue that an excessive focus on de-risking and market research leads to homogenous, uninspiring games, and that the industry's fear of risk is its greatest threat. This discussion highlights the contrast between mid-sized AA budgets and the escalating costs of AAA development.
Develop:Brighton showed the UK games industry is done with hand-wringing and is determined to save itself | Opinion
The UK games industry, facing significant layoffs and funding challenges, is shifting from hand-wringing to proactive self-preservation through increased collaboration. Developers are exploring regional hubs, studio collectives, and cross-industry opportunities to ensure resilience and sustainability in a difficult economic climate. While government and private funding initiatives show some promise, securing early-stage prototype funding remains a critical hurdle.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Best Game at Develop:Star Awards 2026
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 by Sandfall Interactive and Kepler Interactive was awarded Best Game at the Develop:Star Awards 2026, alongside wins for Best Narrative and Best Audio. Other notable winners included Frontier Developments for Best Studio and Sony Interactive Entertainment for Publishing Star.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs were told that "no one" would like one of the RPG's best systems before it launched, lead says: "We didn't care"
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's creative director Guillaume Broche revealed that developers at Sandfall Interactive were told their game's unique blend of action and turn-based combat would be disliked by players. Despite these warnings, the team proceeded with their vision, which has since been praised, even winning multiple Game of the Year awards. Broche also commented on the charm of imperfections in games, contrasting them with overly polished but ultimately boring titles.
Attention physical game fans - the retro-anime-inspired Orbitals for the Switch 2 is already on sale, and it's not…
The retro-anime-inspired game Orbitals for the Nintendo Switch is available for pre-order at a discounted price of $39.88, saving $10 off its MSRP. This deal is particularly notable for physical game collectors, especially with Sony phasing out physical releases for PlayStation 5 in 2028. The discount is also available in the UK, though less significant.
ORBITALS’ INTERNATIONAL VOICE CAST UNITES INDUSTRY VETERANS FOR AN AUTHENTIC ANIME-INSPIRED EXPERIENCE
Shapefarm and Kepler Interactive have announced the international voice cast for their upcoming co-op adventure game, Orbitals, launching exclusively for the Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3, 2026. The game will feature localized voice-overs in multiple languages, including English and Japanese, with a focus on an authentic anime-inspired experience. The developers also highlighted a playable demo and upcoming appearances at Japan Expo Paris.
Orbitals is a 1980s anime story uniquely structured for two players
Orbitals is an upcoming co-op adventure game from Shapefarm that features a unique 1980s anime art style. Players control two young friends, Maki and Omura, aboard a collapsing space colony, using distinct tools and teamwork to solve puzzles and keep the station functioning. The game is set to launch exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2 on September 3.
PlayStation goes all-digital, lessons learned for Square Enix, and what happens when fantasy projects collide with the…
Sony PlayStation will discontinue physical game disc production for new games starting January 2028, coinciding with the closure of the PlayStation Store on PS3 and Vita. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077 has surpassed 40 million players, and CD Projekt Red is consolidating its brand. IO Interactive's fantasy RPG Project Fantasy faces uncertainty as Xbox funding has been pulled.
"They're usually just really boring" – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead says "perfect" games are like people with "no personality"
Guillaume Broche, creative director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, believes that games striving for perfection often become boring, comparing them to people with no personality. He argues that imperfections and quirks, like those found in the Devil May Cry series and even his own award-winning RPG, contribute to a game's charm and make it more endearing.
Highly Anticipated PS5 Sci-Fi Adventure Game Delayed
The highly anticipated PlayStation 5 sci-fi adventure game Ontos has been delayed from its original 2026 release window to sometime in 2027. Frictional Games stated that the delay is necessary to achieve the game's ambitious scope and depth. Ontos will also be available on Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead says the idea turn-based RPGs are "old-school" is "total nonsense," because they're "incredibly satisfying" in a way action games aren't
Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, argues that the idea of turn-based RPGs being 'old-school' is 'total nonsense,' stating they offer a unique and incredibly satisfying intellectual reward that action games do not. He contrasts the strategic planning and execution in turn-based combat with the dexterity-focused gameplay of action titles like Devil May Cry, emphasizing the brain-rewarding nature of the former.
ONTOS Delayed
Kepler Interactive and Frictional Games have announced a delay for their science fiction narrative mystery game, ONTOS. The game, originally slated for release on PC and consoles this year, will now launch at a later date. Further details regarding the new release window were not immediately provided.