Sandfall Interactive
Sandfall Interactive business and news from across the web.
Expedition 33, Dispatch the Two Big Winners at the BAFTA Game AwardsClair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Dispatch were the top winners at the 2026 BAFTA Game Awards, each securing three awards. Expedition 33 won Best Game, Best Debut Game, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English. Dispatch took home awards for Animation, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffrey Wright.
No prizes for guessing what won Best Game at Bafta 2026 Games AwardsClair Obscur: Expedition 33 was the dominant winner at the Bafta 2026 Games Awards, securing Best Game, Debut Game for Sandfall Interactive, and Performer in a Leading Role for Jennifer English. The Telltale Games style adventure Dispatch also received three awards for Animation, Audio Achievement, and Performer in a Supporting Role for Jeffrey Wright. Supercell CEO Ilkka Paananen was controversially awarded the BAFTA Fellowship.- Daredevil: Born Again actor who played Gustave in Expedition 33 says he’s finally played the 2025 game of the yearCharlie Cox, known for his role as Daredevil in the upcoming series Daredevil: Born Again, has revealed he has finally played Expedition 33, a game for which he provided voice acting. Cox admitted he is not very skilled at the game but has begun playing it, with the game being lauded as a potential Game of the Year winner.
Expedition 33 Star Charlie Cox Has Now Played The Award-Winning Game--"I'm Not Very Good"Actor Charlie Cox, who voices Gustave in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, admitted he is not very good at the award-winning game. Cox, who previously stated he is not a gamer, has only played the opening sections. Expedition 33 has won more Game of the Year awards than any previous game, surpassing Elden Ring's record.
Arc Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 help show "mid-price is the new sweet spot" for games, analysts…Analysts at Newzoo identify the $30-$50 price range as the new sweet spot for PC and console games, citing titles like Arc Raiders and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as examples of successful mid-priced releases. This trend emerges as the overall cost of gaming increases, with players seeking better value between indie and premium $70 titles.
Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 don't copy other AAA games, The Witcher 3 director says, so they stand out in an industry filled with people focused on "how to make money"Konrad Tomaszkiewicz, director of The Witcher 3, praises Crimson Desert and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 for their originality in an industry he feels is too focused on profit. He believes games like The Blood of Dawnwalker, which aim to push boundaries and offer fresh experiences, are crucial for artistic evolution and avoiding stagnation.
Crimson Desert's AI Scandal Should Bother You MoreThe article criticizes the gaming industry's handling of generative AI use, highlighting Crimson Desert's scandal where Pearl Abyss unintentionally left AI-generated art in the game. It argues that the industry and players overlook AI use, citing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's awards despite similar AI issues. The author expresses concern over the ethical implications, environmental impact, and the potential for AI to devalue human creativity in game development.
Former Escape From Tarkov dev says "no amount of millions of dollars can save a weak product"Dmitri Ogorodnikov, co-head of Nomion Games and former developer at Battlestate Games, emphasizes that a game's quality is paramount, stating that marketing cannot save a weak product. He highlights the challenges in the current shooter market, citing examples like Concord and Highguard, and outlines Nomion's strategy for their upcoming game, Rush is Real, to focus on gameplay quality and unique ideas rather than market trends.
How can your game win the 'attention war?' Turn to storytellingThis article discusses how game developers can combat the 'attention war' by focusing on strong narrative design and player engagement, rather than trying to compete with other platforms. Examples like The Messenger and Detroit: Become Human illustrate how compelling storytelling and interactive presentation can deeply involve players. Developers are encouraged to take creative risks and trust their writing to create memorable experiences.
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.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Will Get A Premium Art Book This FallAn art book for the turn-based RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released this fall, with a standard edition available for $57 and a Collector's Edition for $100. The 352-page hardcover book from Sandfall Interactive and Udon Entertainment features extensive artwork and developer insights. The article also mentions upcoming art books for other titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs never imagined to achieve the kind of massive success it did: 'Our official goal towards the end of production was to reach for 85 in Metacritic'Developers at Sandfall Interactive expressed surprise at the massive success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which surpassed their internal Metacritic goal of 85, achieving a score of 92. The game also sold over one million copies in three days, exceeding all expectations, particularly in its narrative resonance with players.
Crimson Desert Update Seemingly Replaces AI ArtworkCrimson Desert has received an update that replaces generative AI art assets with new visuals, addressing fan concerns and the developer's own admission of using AI art. Pearl Abyss stated that the AI-generated assets were intended as placeholders and apologized for the lack of transparency. This situation mirrors a similar controversy involving Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
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.
AAA Game Development Budgets in US, Canada Have Reportedly Started Exceeding $300 MillionAAA game development budgets in the US and Canada are reportedly exceeding $300 million, sometimes significantly more, contributing to industry struggles like layoffs and studio closures. Former PlayStation executive Shuhei Yoshida noted that development costs have doubled between the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 generations, making it difficult to recoup investments. While blockbuster titles face massive budgets, smaller games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 can be made for under $10 million by focusing on core gameplay.- "How wrong I was" – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's Ben Starr told friends to keep expectations "in check" before the RPG's launch because "this isn't going to be a smash hit"Lead actor Ben Starr expressed surprise at the immense success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game he had advised friends to keep their expectations for. Despite his initial reservations about it becoming a "smash hit," the game has become the most-awarded ever and is on track for major accolades. Starr also voiced concerns that the industry might learn the wrong lessons from its unexpected triumph.
'We are not going to pick one': Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 dev confirms there's no canon ending, instead opting for a more elusive 'Schrodinger's ending'Sandfall Interactive has confirmed that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not feature a canon ending, instead offering players a 'Schrodinger's ending' where both choices have valid narrative outcomes. Writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stated that neither the Maelle nor Verso path is definitively 'good' or 'bad', allowing players to prioritize different perspectives.
GenAI In Games? Most Players Just Don't Care, Study FindsA recent study indicates that the majority of video game players are indifferent to the use of generative AI in game development, with only a vocal minority expressing strong opposition. While sentiment against AI is growing, with over 25% of players less likely to purchase games using it, many remain neutral or unsure. Developers, however, perceive generative AI as a significant threat to the industry.
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.