"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Leaves Ubisoft, Aims for 2025 GotY"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's director was driven by boredom and a desire for innovation, leading to the creation of 2025's highest-rated game. Here's an in-depth look at the inspiration behind the game and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swiftly become a landmark title, earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies within just three days. This game-of-the-year contender was born from the director's boredom and a yearning to break from the norm.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Guillaume Broche, the director from Sandfall Interactive, explained that the project was initially a personal endeavor 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 a similar JRPG experience, starting his quest on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To realize his vision, Broche reached out on Reddit and online forums, seeking collaborators for his Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game, Expedition 33. Despite the concept not initially gaining much traction, Broche persisted. His efforts were rewarded when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to a Reddit post seeking voice actors. Initially cast for a major character, Svedberg-Yen eventually took on the role of lead writer.

Broche left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels, like composer Lorien Testard, who connected via Soundcloud. With Kepler's backing, they were able to enlist well-known actors such as Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis.

Throughout the development, both Broche and Svedberg-Yen took on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, handled translations in various languages, while Broche praised the team's dedication and talent, noting that many were juniors but incredibly invested in the project.

The magical origins of Expedition 33 reflect the enchanting nature of the game itself. Driven by boredom and fueled by serendipity, Sandfall Interactive has created a timeless 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 on the game by clicking on the article below!