Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director was bored, so he created 2025’s highest-rated game. Dive into the fascinating story of what inspired the developers and how Sandfall Interactive came to be.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swiftly earned its place as an instant classic, becoming the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies in just three days. This game-of-the-year favorite was born out of a surprising blend of boredom and the desire to innovate.
In an interview with BBC News on May 4, the team at Sandfall Interactive shared the origins of the game. Director Guillaume Broche revealed that the project was his remedy for boredom. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, he felt restless and was struck with an idea for a new game.
A lifelong fan of the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create a game in a similar vein. His journey began on Reddit, where he sought to turn his vision into reality.
A Stroke of Luck
Broche's vision for Expedition 33 was a Belle Époque-inspired game with classic turn-based gameplay, a concept not initially met with widespread enthusiasm. Undeterred, he continued to reach out through Reddit and online forums to assemble his team.
During the lockdown in Australia, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen responded to a post seeking voice actors. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," she recalled. Initially cast as 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 about 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional means, such as composer Lorien Testard, who connected via Soundcloud.
Kepler Interactive's support also enabled them to collaborate with renowned actors like Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings).
Despite the growing team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their multifaceted roles during production. "We wore many different hats," they explained. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, also handled translations into various languages. Broche praised the team, saying, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."
The origins of Expedition 33 are as enchanting as the game itself. With a touch of boredom and a dash of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a timeless masterpiece that will be cherished for years. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest game news by clicking on the article below!
