Oblivion Remastered Launch Elevates RPG Genre, Boosts Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered alongside the debut of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many anticipated a clear winner. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, revealed that Oblivion’s launch enhanced Clair Obscur’s success by amplifying interest in the RPG genre.

Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s triumphant launch despite the competition.

To set the stage, RPG enthusiasts faced a tough decision: dive into Oblivion’s vast Cyrodiil for hundreds of hours or join the quest to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of both titles sparked excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a playful remark from Kepler Interactive.

In a post on X/Twitter, Kepler shared a humorous image of Clair Obscur characters stepping through an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," referencing the 2023 concurrent release of Barbie and Oppenheimer in theaters.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, which owns Bethesda (Oblivion’s developer) and had supported Clair Obscur since its unveiling at an Xbox Showcase last year, faced criticism for releasing Oblivion alongside Clair Obscur, both as Game Pass day-one titles.

Handrahan, however, dismissed concerns. “We were confident in Expedition 33’s unique identity,” he explained. “As a former journalist, I recognized that Western and Japanese RPGs appeal to distinct audiences. Many Elder Scrolls fans might not play Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

“By launch, we had built strong momentum and felt ready to compete. Factors like our price point and Game Pass inclusion fueled interest. The outcome exceeded our expectations, and Oblivion’s proximity didn’t hurt us. Instead, it spotlighted high-quality RPGs, sparking widespread discussion about the genre.”

Which Did You Play: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Both?

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion RemasteredClair Obscur: Expedition 33Both

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Clair Obscur has proven a major success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in three days and achieving high concurrent player counts on Steam. The game’s success even earned praise from French President Macron.

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though sales figures remain undisclosed. It also recorded strong concurrent player numbers on Steam.

According to Ampere data cited by The Game Business, 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating significant crossover, largely driven by both titles’ availability on Game Pass. This overlap was less pronounced among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.

Explore more about Oblivion Remastered, including a fascinating account of a player who ventured beyond Cyrodiil to discover Valenwood, Skyrim, and Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.

Our detailed guide covers everything in Oblivion Remastered, featuring an Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and all Guild Quests, How to Craft the Ideal Character, Top First Steps, every PC Cheat Code, and more.

For Clair Obscur, don’t miss our essential tips to prepare before diving into the adventure.