Sandfall Interactive
Sandfall Interactive business and news from across the web.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 director thinks devs will eventually "be able to churn out a game in 5 seconds with a prompt," but he hopes they're not any goodGuillaume Broche, lead developer at Sandfall Interactive, believes that while AI could eventually allow for games to be generated instantly with a prompt, he hopes these creations won't be good. His studio is not using generative AI for creative work, though they are exploring its use for administrative tasks. Broche also mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a spiritual successor to the JRPG Lost Odyssey.
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.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio Sandfall isn't bothered that people may not like its next game, and that's the most refreshing thing I've heard all weekSandfall Interactive founder Guillaume Broche expresses a refreshing lack of concern about whether players will like the studio's next game, emphasizing that their previous success with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stemmed from creative vision rather than trend-chasing. This philosophy is highlighted as a stark contrast to the current industry climate of corporate pressure and iterative franchises, suggesting that a focus on unique, personal projects resonates with audiences.
Clair Obscur is flawed on purpose, says director: 'Games that try to be perfect, that try to fix all their flaws—they're usually just really boring'Guillaume Broche, creative director for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, believes that games with intentional imperfections are more endearing and less boring than those striving for unattainable perfection. He argues that flaws contribute to a game's personality, much like they do in people, and that embracing 'jank' can be a source of fun and character.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead doesn't "care" if his next game isn't as popular as Sandfall's GOTY RPG, because "we're just going to do what we love again"Guillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stated that Sandfall Interactive's next game may not achieve the same level of popularity as their previous award-winning RPG, but this is not a concern for the studio. Broche emphasized that the team prioritizes creating games they love, believing this approach contributed to their past success. He also mentioned that the studio is prepared to make bold decisions for future projects, even if they are not universally liked, to maintain creative integrity and avoid development pressure.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Studio Lead Doesn’t Care if Next Project FlopsGuillaume Broche, director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and co-founder of Sandfall Interactive, stated he doesn't care if the studio's next project is a flop, emphasizing a focus on making games they love. He believes this approach, along with maintaining a small team size, is healthier for developers and allows for more creative freedom. Broche confirmed that Sandfall Interactive has no plans to grow its workforce significantly, aiming to continue creating honest games with emotionally resonant stories.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Monoco actor jokes he'll be "filled with murderous rage" if he can't reprise his role for the RPG's live-action movie adaptationRich Keeble, the voice actor for Monoco in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed his desire to reprise his role in the upcoming live-action movie adaptation, joking about being filled with "murderous rage" if he is not involved. He hopes to at least provide voice work, even if the character is CGI or motion-captured. The article also mentions other cast members like Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis, and a humorous suggestion from Cox about Robert Pattinson playing Gustave.
Final Fantasy Resonance devs comment on why turn-based RPGs are resurgingFinal Fantasy Resonance, a reimagining of Brave Exvius with HD-2D visuals and turn-based combat, is set to release on October 22 for Nintendo Switch. Producers Keisuke Nakashima and Hiroto Furuya discussed the resurgence of turn-based RPGs, attributing it to creators revisiting their roots and the genre's suitability for handheld gaming.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is still coming to Switch 2 in 2026, says leaker who called Ocarina of Time and Star Fox…Industry leaker Nate The Hate, who accurately predicted the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, claims that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is expected to launch on the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2026. This follows previous accurate predictions about games like Metaphor: ReFantazio coming to the platform. Sandfall Interactive has previously acknowledged the possibility of a Switch 2 port.
Grab a free Steam key for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 with our giveawayA giveaway is offering free Steam keys for the RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, developed by Sandfall Interactive and published by Kepler Interactive. The game is set in a dark fantasy version of Belle Époque France and features turn-based combat. Kepler Interactive is also holding a publisher sale on Steam with a 20% discount on the game.
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade declinePlayStation first-party game sales saw a modest increase to 32.1 million copies in FY2025, the first upturn in five years, following a significant decline since a peak in 2020-2021. This growth is attributed partly to the release of Ghost of Yōtei, while the overall decline was linked to inconsistent studio output and lengthy development cycles. Sony has also reportedly scaled back on releasing PS5 exclusives for PC, fearing it could damage the console's brand.
Nordic Game attendance rises by 6% in 2026Nordic Game 2026 saw a 6% increase in attendance, with over 1,100 companies from 59 countries participating. The event highlighted the strength of independent developers and featured discussions on the art of games. Separately, a report commissioned by King revealed that European mobile games generated €7.53 billion globally in 2025 and contributed significantly to the European economy.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei lead Develop:Star Awards 2026Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Ghost of Yōtei lead the nominations for the Develop:Star Awards 2026 with six categories each, including Best Game. Other nominees for Best Game include Blue Prince, Dispatch, Jurassic World Evolution 3, Death Stranding 2: On The Beach, and Peak. Winners will be announced on July 15 during Develop:Brighton 2026.
Cronos: The New Dawn wins Best Polish Game at the Digital Dragons AwardsCronos: The New Dawn by Bloober Team was the biggest winner at the Digital Dragons Awards, taking home the Polish Game of the Year award. The event celebrated the best of Polish game development, with other notable nominees including Techland's Dying Light: The Beast and 11 bit studios' The Alters.- Sorry GTA 6, but I’m more excited about these 5 sequels (and a wildcard)This article expresses excitement for several upcoming game sequels, arguing they hold more promise than Grand Theft Auto 6 due to potentially more manageable expectations. It highlights anticipated titles from FromSoftware, CD Projekt Red, Larian Studios, and Sandfall Interactive, praising their past work and potential for innovation. The author also touches on the industry's current trend of hype generation versus genuine surprise.
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth director says RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 "may have been inevitable" as new players favor real-time games over turn-basedFinal Fantasy 7 Rebirth director Naoki Hamaguchi believes the trend of blending turn-based combat with real-time elements is an inevitable evolution for RPGs, as younger players favor instant feedback. He notes that pure turn-based games are increasingly seen as legacy genres, though innovative titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Persona 5 demonstrate ways to keep the combat engaging through presentation and mechanics.
10 Best RPGs on Steam to play in 2026This article lists and describes ten of the best role-playing games available on Steam, suitable for playing in 2026. It highlights titles such as Baldur's Gate 3, Disco Elysium, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and Fallout: New Vegas, detailing their unique features, gameplay mechanics, and suitability for platforms like the Steam Deck.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s Former Senior Game Designer Joins CD Projekt REDCD Projekt RED has hired Zdeněk Glatz, the former Senior Game Designer and writer for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, as a Senior Open World Designer. Glatz spent eight years at Warhorse Studios. This move is part of CD Projekt RED's ongoing expansion of its development teams for upcoming titles like The Witcher 4 and a sequel to Cyberpunk 2077.
10 Best Fantasy RPGs to play in 2026This list highlights ten of the best fantasy RPGs available across PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch, catering to various playstyles from story-driven epics to challenging combat experiences. It includes a mix of new releases and enduring classics, with a focus on games that deeply integrate fantasy elements into their gameplay and world.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Renoir actor Andy Serkis is "so thrilled" for Sandfall Interactive devs after their debut RPG's success: "It's such an emotional story"Actor Andy Serkis, who voiced Renoir in Sandfall Interactive's debut RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed his excitement for the developers' success. Serkis noted the significant shift in how actors perceive video game roles, moving from skepticism to genuine interest in the medium. He highlighted that the industry now offers lucrative and artistically fulfilling opportunities comparable to film.