"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Publisher Claims Oblivion Remaster Boosted Game Visibility"

When Bethesda surprised fans by releasing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many believed that Oblivion would overshadow the newcomer. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, revealed that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact their game, but it actually helped boost interest in the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur.

Matt Handrahan, senior portfolio manager at Kepler Interactive, shared insights with The Game Business on how Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 thrived despite the competition. RPG enthusiasts faced a tough decision: dive into the vast world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or join the adventure to defeat the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous launch sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty social media response from Kepler Interactive.

On X/Twitter, Kepler posted an image of Clair Obscur characters stepping into an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the concurrent release of the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.

omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc

— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025

Microsoft, the owner of Bethesda and a major supporter of Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the timing of Oblivion's release, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.

Handrahan, however, was optimistic about Clair Obscur's prospects. He explained, "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity. When I was in the press, I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences. I knew plenty of people that would play an Elder Scrolls game that wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa.

"By the time we launched, we had our own momentum and felt confident we could stand alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass added to our confidence. The launch went as well as we could have hoped, and being close to Oblivion's release didn't hurt us at all. If anything, it heightened the excitement around RPGs that week, keeping the genre in the spotlight."

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

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

AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a massive success for Kepler and its developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving high concurrent player numbers on Steam. Its success even garnered 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 saw significant concurrent player counts on Steam.

According to data from Ampere cited by The Game Business, 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a notable crossover. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with a lower overlap among Steam and PlayStation 5 users.

For more on *Oblivion Remastered*, check out our report on a player who explored beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the speculated setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*.

Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, detailed Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, and a list of PC Cheat Codes, among other resources.

For Clair Obscur, make sure to read our tips on what to know before starting your adventure.