Discover the inspiring story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that emerged from boredom to become a top contender for the 2025 Game of the Year. Learn about the creative journey and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has captivated the gaming world, securing the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and achieving over 1 million sales in just three days. This game-of-the-year favorite was born from a unique blend of boredom and a desire to innovate.
In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Guillaume Broche, the director at Sandfall Interactive, shared the origins of this groundbreaking project. Working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, Broche felt an itch to do something new. Inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series, he embarked on a journey to create a game that resonated with his passion.
A Stroke of Luck
Broche's quest began with outreach on Reddit and online forums, seeking collaborators for his Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based gameplay vision. Despite initial skepticism about the concept, he persisted, and his determination paid off.
While under lockdown in Australia, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stumbled upon Broche's call for voice actors on Reddit. Intrigued by the opportunity, she auditioned and initially voiced a major character before transitioning to the role of lead writer. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," Svedberg-Yen recalled.
Broche eventually 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 discovered through unconventional channels. For instance, composer Lorien Testard joined after connecting via Soundcloud.
Kepler Interactive's backing allowed Sandfall to attract 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), adding star power to the project.
Despite the growing team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility during production. "We wore many different hats," they noted. Svedberg-Yen, for example, 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 magical origins of Expedition 33 have resulted in a game that promises to be a timeless classic. With a blend of boredom and serendipity, Sandfall Interactive has crafted an experience that gamers will cherish for years. 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 following our dedicated coverage.
