Sandfall Interactive
Sandfall Interactive business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
PlayStation first-party sales see modest rebound after half-decade decline
PlayStation 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 2026
Nordic 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 2026
Clair 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 Awards
Cronos: 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-based
Final 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 2026
This 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 RED
CD 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 2026
This 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.
Clair Obscur and Lord of the Rings actor Andy Serkis says Hollywood snobbery towards video games is changing
Actor Andy Serkis, known for his film roles and his performance in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, believes Hollywood's perception of video games is evolving. He stated that acting in games is the same as film or stage, and noted that while actors once looked down on games, younger talent now actively seeks roles in them. Serkis also highlighted how video game engines are becoming essential tools in modern filmmaking, challenging the historical snobbery between the two industries.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead "was crossing fingers" the RPG wouldn't win Game of the Year because he was rooting for other "super creative games" instead
Tom Guillermin, co-founder of Sandfall Interactive and CTO of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed that he was rooting for other games to win Game of the Year awards. He hoped to celebrate the creative and unique work of other developers. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 went on to win multiple awards, including Game of the Year at the Game Developers Choice Awards and Best Game at the BAFTA Awards.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Lune actor would be "delighted" to reprise her role if possible, but she's not in the "conversations" about expanding the franchise
Voice actor Kirsty Rider, who plays Lune in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, expressed her desire to reprise the role in future installments. While Rider is not involved in current franchise expansion discussions, she believes Sandfall Interactive is exploring possibilities for the universe. The article also touches on the importance of valuing the talent behind the successful debut RPG.
Poll: One Year Later, Did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Deserve All the Praise?
This article discusses whether Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, an RPG from developer Sandfall Interactive, truly deserved the overwhelming praise and numerous Game of the Year awards it received one year after its release. It examines the initial hype, critical reception, and the emergence of some dissenting opinions following its launch.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 wins Best Game at the BIG Festival Awards at Gamescom Latam
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 won Best Game at the BIG Festival Awards held at Gamescom Latam in São Paulo, Brazil. The indie title from Sandfall Interactive also secured the award for Best Audio. The event recognized various categories, including Best Art, Best Narrative, and Best Gameplay, with other notable winners like A Rat’s Quest – The Way Back Home and A.I.L.A.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 actor was "nervous" to see its Metacritic score after appearing in notorious The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and witnessing "the occasional zero"
Voice actor Rich Keeble expressed nervousness about the review scores for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, recalling his negative experience with The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. Despite his initial anxieties, Expedition 33 achieved a highly positive Metacritic score of 92, becoming one of the year's best-rated games.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a "great example" of a subscription service like Xbox Game Pass likely helping…
An analyst suggests that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's inclusion in subscription services like Xbox Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Premium contributed to its success, with the game selling over eight million copies in its first year. This is considered a significant achievement for a debut title from Sandfall Interactive in a genre that typically relies on established franchises.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sales Surpass Eight Million Units
Publisher Kepler Interactive and developer Sandfall Interactive announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has sold over eight million units. The game, available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and PC, also received a free anniversary update with new cosmetic items and bug fixes. The title is a turn-based RPG with real-time mechanics, developed in Unreal Engine 5.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Celebrates First Anniversary - GameHaunt
Sandfall Interactive is celebrating the first anniversary of their debut RPG, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which launched on April 24, 2025. The studio has released a free update adding new character haircuts and fixing bugs, alongside new artwork and merchandise. The game has achieved significant success, selling over 8 million copies and becoming the most downloaded new third-party release on Xbox Game Pass in 2025.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 gets anniversary update, has sold 8 million copies
Sandfall Interactive is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The company also announced that the game has sold 8 million copies.