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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 Artwork
Crimson 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 RPG
Voice 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 Million
AAA 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 Finds
A 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.
Crimson Desert developer apologizes and promises to replace AI-generated art
Pearl Abyss has apologized for including AI-generated art in its open-world RPG Crimson Desert, stating that some 2D visual props were created using experimental AI tools and not replaced before launch. The developer will conduct an audit and replace affected assets in upcoming patches, aiming for greater transparency. This follows similar controversies involving Sandfall Interactive and Embark Studios.
From Student to Master: How Clair Obscur Won Over Final Fantasy Legends
The indie JRPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has gained significant industry recognition, with Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi and Final Fantasy VII Remake director Naoki Hamaguchi publicly praising the game. Hamaguchi even named it his game of the year for 2025, highlighting its balanced quality. This acknowledgment has led to inspiring interactions between the developers at Sandfall Interactive and the Final Fantasy team.
Crimson Desert’s AI-Generated Assets Were “Unintentionally Included,” Says Pearl Abyss
Pearl Abyss has addressed controversy surrounding the unintentional inclusion of AI-generated assets in Crimson Desert. The developer stated that these assets were part of early-stage iteration and intended to be replaced, apologizing for the lack of transparency and the oversight. Pearl Abyss is now conducting an audit to replace affected content and is reviewing internal processes to improve communication with players.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Art Book Arrives This November | Console Creatures
Pix'n Love and UDON Entertainment will release "The Art of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" art book in November 2026. Pre-orders for both Standard and Limited Collector's Editions open on March 23, 2026, with the latter priced at $100 USD/$139 CAD and featuring exclusive bonus items.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's lead writer "never even considered" a true, happy ending for the hit RPG
Lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stated that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not have a canon ending, with both available conclusions being equally valid. The studio intentionally avoided creating a definitive happy ending, encouraging players to engage with the game's narrative subjectivity. This approach is seen as a deliberate choice to foster discussion and contemplation within the game's universe.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 star worries the industry will learn the wrong lessons from the J'RPG's success: "Capitalism is unwilling to ask the why because they’re interested in the how"
Actor Ben Starr expressed concern that the video game industry might misinterpret the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, potentially leading to misguided lessons about development and capitalism. He believes the focus should be on understanding the 'why' behind its success rather than just the 'how,' which he feels is often overlooked by investors interested in cost-cutting.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 devs bet on the RPG's Metacritic score, but bet so low that "everybody lost," resulting in forfeits like gobbling whole roast chickens
Developers at Sandfall Interactive made internal bets on the Metacritic score for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with the expectation of performing dares if the score exceeded their predictions. The game ultimately achieved a highly acclaimed score of 92, leading to many developers losing their bets.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen Joined the Team After Working in Finance, Teaching Cuban Salsa, and a NASA Experiment: 'Maybe I Can Say I'm a Writer Now' - IGN
Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, a writer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, discusses her unconventional path into game development, which included a career in finance, teaching Cuban salsa, and participating in a NASA experiment. She details how her diverse life experiences influenced her writing for the game and her journey from having minimal gaming knowledge to becoming an avid player and achievement hunter.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Devs Won't Pick a Canon Ending as They Work on a Sequel: 'It Is a Schrodinger's Ending' - IGN
Sandfall Interactive will not designate a canon ending for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, according to writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen. The game features two distinct endings based on player choice, and the developer intends to treat both as equally valid narratives as they work on future titles in the same universe. Svedberg-Yen described the endings as 'Schrodinger's endings,' emphasizing that neither will be officially chosen over the other.
Clair Obscur's narrative lead says while it's 'a painful process' to write, AI has never tempted her: 'The whole point of writing is to express what I have in my head'
The narrative lead for Clair Obscur stated that while writing is a difficult process, AI has not been a temptation due to its lack of genuine creative expression. She views AI as a complex search engine rather than a creative tool. The studio Sandfall Interactive faced criticism for using AI-generated textures as placeholders.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 lead writer doesn't use AI for work because "writing is part of the joy," and…
Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, lead writer for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, stated she does not use AI in her writing process, emphasizing that the creative and emotional struggle is integral to the joy and authenticity of storytelling. She believes AI cannot replicate the human experience and perspective necessary for genuine narrative creation.
