Clair Obscur: How a passion project became 2025's most talked-about game

Clair Obscur: The Journey of a Passion Project to a 2025 Gaming Sensation In the realm of video games, a new title has emerged that has captured the attention of gamers and critics alike. This game, known as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has been receiving rave reviews since its release. The game features a bearded male character alongside a female companion, both dressed in stylish leather-like outfits, as they navigate through a mysterious cavern filled with glowing plants that emit an eerie pink light. The story of how this game came to be is as fascinating as the game itself. It all began in 2020, during the height of the Covid pandemic, when Guillaume Broche found himself in a situation similar to many others around the globe. He was feeling bored and unfulfilled in his job at the French gaming giant Ubisoft and yearned to create something different. Inspired by one of his childhood favorites, the classic Japanese game series Final Fantasy, he decided to embark on a journey to create his own role-playing game. This dream would eventually lead to the creation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has become a sensation in the gaming world. Within just three days of its release, the game sold an astonishing one million copies and even topped the Spotify viral charts with its captivating soundtrack. The game is set in a fictional world called Lumiere, which is overshadowed by a massive monolith displaying a glowing numeral. Each year, a mysterious entity known as The Paintress emerges and lowers this number by one, causing everyone of that age to vanish. The narrative follows a group of characters on a quest to confront and destroy this enigmatic being. The game’s aesthetic, inspired by 19th-century France, along with its traditional turn-based battles, sets it apart from other titles in the market. However, when Guillaume first began this project, the prevailing belief was that players were not interested in such a style of gameplay. Undeterred, he took to Reddit and various online forums to recruit individuals who shared his passion for gaming. One of the first to respond was Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was in lockdown in Australia at the time. She came across Guillaume's post seeking voice actors for a demo and decided to audition. Initially cast as a major character, Jennifer eventually transitioned to become the lead writer for the game. As the project progressed, Guillaume left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Clair Obscur, establishing Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France. With funding secured from the publisher Kepler Interactive, the core team expanded to around 30 members, many of whom were recruited in a similar fashion to Jennifer. The production quality of Expedition 33 has been widely praised, rivaling that of games developed by much larger teams. Guillaume attributes this success to recent advancements in game development tools, which allowed his team to work more efficiently. The backing from Kepler Interactive also enabled the studio to attract notable actors, including Charlie Cox from Daredevil and Andy Serkis from the Lord of the Rings series. While Sandfall Interactive did collaborate with additional support studios and specialists, both Jennifer and Guillaume emphasize that the core team took on multiple roles throughout the development process. Jennifer, for instance, was responsible for translating the game into various languages, showcasing the versatility and dedication of the team. Guillaume expresses pride in his team, noting that they are primarily junior members who are incredibly invested in the project. He reflects on the journey, stating, 'Somehow it worked, which still makes no sense to me after all these years. ' Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not just a game; it is a testament to the power of creativity, collaboration, and the pursuit of passion in the world of gaming.