Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that transformed from a director's boredom into a 2025 Game of the Year contender. Learn how Sandfall Interactive came to be and the unique journey that led to this acclaimed title.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Born from Boredom

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swiftly become an instant classic, achieving the highest rating of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies within just three days. What's remarkable is that this game-of-the-year favorite was conceived out of sheer boredom and a yearning for innovation.

In an insightful 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 remedy for 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-style game, starting his quest on Reddit.

A Serendipitous Journey

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out on Reddit and various online forums, seeking talent to join his passion project. Despite the initial lack of enthusiasm for his Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based gameplay concept, Broche persevered. His persistence paid off when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, then under lockdown in Australia, responded to a Reddit post seeking voice actors. Initially auditioning for a major character role, Svedberg-Yen's involvement grew to encompass leading the writing for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to fully dedicate himself to Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding secured from Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to approximately 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional means. For instance, composer Lorien Testard joined after connecting through Soundcloud.

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

Despite the team's growth, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility, taking on multiple roles during production. Svedberg-Yen, for example, also handled translations into various languages. Broche praised the team, noting, "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. Fueled by boredom and serendipity, 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 on the game by clicking on our article below!