"Clair Obscur Director, Bored at Ubisoft, Creates 2025 GotY Contender"

Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highest-rated game of 2025 that sold over 1 million copies in just three days. Learn how boredom and a desire for innovation spurred the creation of this instant classic, and how Sandfall Interactive came to be.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captured the hearts of gamers worldwide, becoming an instant classic and the top-rated game of 2025. What's surprising is that this game-of-the-year contender was born out of sheer boredom and a yearning for something new.

In a recent interview with BBC News on May 4, Sandfall Interactive's developers shared the game's origin story. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the project began as a way to combat his restlessness while working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche embarked on a journey to create his own JRPG, starting with a simple post on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out to potential team members on Reddit and various online forums. At the time, the concept of a Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based game didn't generate much excitement, but Broche's passion was unwavering. He continued to seek out like-minded individuals for his project.

During Australia's lockdown, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stumbled upon Broche's Reddit post seeking voice actors. Intrigued by the opportunity, she sent an audition and was initially cast for a major role. Her involvement soon expanded, leading her to become the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the core team grew to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional means. Composer Lorien Testard, for example, joined the team after connecting through Soundcloud.

With Kepler Interactive's support, Sandfall Interactive was able to collaborate with renowned actors such as Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), elevating the game's narrative and appeal.

Despite the expanding team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility during production. "We wore many different hats," they said, highlighting the multi-faceted roles they and the team took on. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, managed translations in various languages. Broche praised the team, saying, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."

The magical origins of Expedition 33 mirror the enchanting experience of the game itself. Driven by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a game that promises to captivate players for generations. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by clicking on our article below!