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The AA games industry needs "a few more Expedition 33s" before publishers stop seeing smaller games as a major financial risk, says Valor Mortis director
Despite the massive success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, publishers remain hesitant to invest in AA games, viewing them as a significant financial risk. Radek Ratusznik, director at One More Level, believes the industry needs more unexpected bestsellers like Expedition 33 to prove the viability of smaller-scale, creative titles.
After Clair Obscur Expedition 33, president of France announces international festival of video games: "Video games…
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced plans to create an international video game festival, aiming to elevate French game development and integrate video games into the country's cultural landscape. The announcement follows the international success of French studio Sandfall Interactive's game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Pokemon with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's combat sounds like a bonkers idea, but one fan's now given us a…
A fan has created a detailed animation showcasing how the Pokemon series might incorporate the unique combat system of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The fan-made video, which features timing-based prompts and dynamic camera work, has garnered significant attention online, sparking discussion about potential future combat mechanics in Pokemon games.
Steam Week in Review: A touch of AI is all it takes to trigger backlash, as a promising new indie falls afoul of slop…
Vapor World: Over The Mind, a Soulslike Metroidvania, faced significant backlash on Steam due to its use of generative AI in cutscenes, leading to a surge of negative reviews. Developer Alive Inc has since replaced the AI-generated content, with director Young Kim acknowledging the hasty judgment and promising to improve. The incident highlights audience intolerance for AI shortcuts in game development, even as South Korea shows high AI optimism.
7 developers that will save the video games industry - Reader’s Feature
This reader's feature highlights seven smaller developers, including 11 bit studios, AdHoc Studios, Daniel Mullins Games, Hazelight Studios, Larian Studios, Sandfall Interactive, and Supergiant Games, who are seen as vital to the future of the video game industry. The article praises their innovative approaches to game design and storytelling, contrasting them with the perceived missteps of larger publishers.
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida told Clair Obscur devs to not call it a 'turn-based RPG' so people…
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida advised developers of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to avoid marketing it as a 'turn-based RPG' due to the genre's perceived unpopularity. Despite this, the game has achieved significant success, selling over eight million copies and helping to revitalize interest in turn-based titles. Yoshida believes this success highlights the risks of solely chasing industry trends.
Former PlayStation boss says it's "really funny" turn-based JRPGs are so in-demand after he advised Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs not to use the term
Former PlayStation boss Shuhei Yoshida finds it amusing that he once advised Sandfall Interactive to avoid marketing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a turn-based JRPG, a genre now experiencing a resurgence. He notes the irony given the game's critical success and the current demand for similar titles, contrasting it with his past advice to steer consumers away from the term.
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.
GYLD raises $1m to fund proprietary games research system that marked Clair Obscur as a potential hit
Gaming investment agency GYLD has secured $1 million in funding to further develop its proprietary game research system, Critical Compass. This AI-powered tool analyzes game features and audience potential, having already supported over $100 million in funding for more than 45 projects. GYLD aims to democratize access to this advanced market research, making it more affordable for developers of all sizes.
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.
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.
Masterpiece RPG Expedition 33 Is Cheaper Than Ever Right Now, But Only For 24 Hours
Masterpiece RPG Expedition 33 is currently available at its lowest price ever, a 29% discount on Steam for a limited 24-hour period. Developed by Sandfall Interactive, the game has received widespread acclaim for its heartfelt narrative, unique turn-based combat with active dodges and parries, and beautiful thematic world. This deal offers a significant opportunity to experience the critically praised title at a reduced cost.
The "untranslatable" book that inspired Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been translated, and you can buy it later this year
The cult classic French novel "La Horde du Contrevent" by Alain Damasio, a significant inspiration for the upcoming game "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33," is receiving its first English translation. Published by Abrams Books, the translated novel will be available in the US on October 13, 2026, and in the UK on November 12. The book, originally released in 2004, focuses on themes of loss and perseverance, and its translation was handled by Alexander Dickow.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Clea actor finds it "fascinating" that RPG fans give her character "more grace" than Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'zel
Voice actor Devora Wilde, who plays characters in both Baldur's Gate 3 and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, finds it fascinating that players offer more leniency to her character Clea than to Baldur's Gate 3's Lae'zel. Wilde suggests the difference stems from Clea's perceived family motivations versus Lae'zel's initial self-interest and harsh demeanor.
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 took inspiration from Attack on Titan and Bleach's instantly recognizable characters:…
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 drew inspiration from anime series like Attack on Titan and Bleach for its character designs and storytelling. CEO Guillaume Broche cited Attack on Titan's existential themes and recognizable uniforms, while artist Alan Reynaud highlighted Bleach's simple yet memorable character designs as key influences for the game's aesthetic and character creation.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead says you "can't compare" turn-based and action games, and he loves both…
Guillaume Broche, creative director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stated that he does not have a preference between turn-based and action combat, emphasizing that the quality of the game's execution is more important than the genre. He believes that comparing the two styles is like comparing pizza and sushi, as both can be excellent when done well. Expedition 33 itself blends turn-based combat with action elements like parrying.
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.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs are working on a Nintendo Switch 2 version, but note the "big technical challenge" of getting it up and running
Sandfall Interactive is exploring a Nintendo Switch 2 version of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, but acknowledges the significant technical challenges due to the platform's power limitations compared to PlayStation and Xbox Series X. The developers are relying on Unreal Engine 5 updates, such as Lumen Lite, to make the port feasible, though no release window has been announced.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director prefers JPRGs to the likes of Skyrim, Fallout, and Baldur's Gate because their linear narratives allow for "a stronger story" and "more memorable characters"
Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed a preference for JRPGs over Western RPGs like Skyrim and Fallout, citing their linear narratives as conducive to stronger stories and more memorable characters. He believes this focus on a defined narrative allows for a more impactful storytelling experience compared to the player-driven choices often found in Western RPGs.
