In spite of Overwhelming Success, Clair Obscur Developers Aim to Maintain Studio Lean

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not only an impressive GOTY contender, it’s also a huge financial hit. Developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher their publishing partner disclosed that the game exceeded 5 million units sold, and that’s in spite of it being a launch-day addition through the Game Pass service.

The game's performance was a shock for the team. I was convinced that we would have a solid title garnering some average commercial success,” a key executive stated.

Another leading developer noted that Clair Obscur’s Metacritic rating, now standing at 93, came as “maybe the biggest shock for everyone versus our early predictions and the actual outcome turned out to be. Because when it dropped the entire team were cheering loudly. The energy was electric.”

The positive reception resulted in the studio creating a free update for the game featuring fresh areas, enemies, plus epic encounters, reportedly is coming in the next few months.

Nevertheless, while the game is growing, fans shouldn't anticipate the team will expand. “We have an excellent group with a strong creative director with a clear direction for the project and also for new ideas. We'd like to keep the close-knit size that led to our success and perhaps create one big game after another,” the executive noted.

Their team size drummed up significant conversation upon the title's release. Certain industry figures, such as the famed director, viewed this studio as the “ideal” for a studio. Despite being truly compact next to major studios, checking the game's credits reveals numerous contributors worked on it; Sandfall contracted a Korean team to work on gameplay animations, as an instance.

“Some hiring will occur a bit more for sure when facing next an upcoming production peak in upcoming years,” the producer said. “But I would see essentially a craft studio comprising a handful exceptionally gifted creators that can make collective masterpieces.” He noted that the studio's philosophy as a company “aims to keep the successful elements that led to this accomplishment in the first place.”

Despite being too early for Sandfall to disclose concrete plans about future projects — rest assured, efforts were made — the team does know what’s at its core. “Turn-based gameplay, forms the foundation of what we built,” a developer explained. “The timing isn't right to announce future passions, however, it's crucial to adhere to the DNA of studio featuring rich storytelling plus innovative play that inspires the team.”

They mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 started with their director pursuing his ideal project. It is hoped that philosophy will be repeated in coming projects.”