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

Discover the inspiring story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the game that emerged as the highest-rated title of 2025 and sold over 1 million copies in just three days. This instant classic was born out of the director's boredom and a desire to innovate. Here's how Sandfall Interactive came to life and what drove the creation of this game-of-the-year contender.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's journey began with director Guillaume Broche feeling restless while working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create a game that echoed those JRPG roots. His initial steps towards realizing this vision started on Reddit, driven by a simple desire to do something different.

A Stroke of Luck

Broche's journey took a turn when he began reaching out on Reddit and online forums, seeking collaborators for his Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game concept. Despite the lukewarm reception to his initial ideas, he persisted. Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to a Reddit post looking for voice actors. What started as an audition for a character role evolved into her becoming the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels, like composer Lorien Testard via Soundcloud. Kepler Interactive's support also allowed them to enlist renowned actors such as Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, adding star power to the project.

Throughout the development process, Broche and Svedberg-Yen took on multiple roles, showcasing the versatility and dedication of the team. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, handled translations into different languages, highlighting the team's commitment to excellence. Broche praised the young yet incredibly talented team, emphasizing their passion and investment in the project.

The story of Expedition 33's creation is as enchanting as the game itself. Driven by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a game that promises to captivate players for years to come. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news about the game by clicking on our article below!