"Clair Obscur Director Leaves Ubisoft, Aims for 2025 GotY with Expedition 33"

Discover how boredom sparked the creation of 2025's highest-rated game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly risen to fame, becoming the top-rated game of 2025 and achieving sales of over 1 million copies within just three days. What makes this game-of-the-year contender even more remarkable is that it was born from a moment of boredom and a desire to innovate.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Guillaume Broche, the director from Sandfall Interactive, shared the origins of the project. Amid the 2020 global lockdown while working at Ubisoft, Broche found himself restless and inspired to create something unique. Influenced by his childhood love for the JRPG series Final Fantasy, he set out to bring his vision to life, beginning his journey on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To realize his dream, Broche took to Reddit and online forums, reaching out to potential collaborators. Despite the initial lack of enthusiasm for a Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game, he persisted. His efforts paid off when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to his call for voice actors. Initially auditioning for a minor role, she impressed Broche and was later appointed as the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to about 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels, such as composer Lorien Testard, who was discovered via Soundcloud.

With Kepler Interactive's backing, the team was able to collaborate with renowned actors including Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis, enhancing the game's appeal.

Despite the growing team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their multi-faceted roles in the game's development. Svedberg-Yen, for example, also handled translations, showcasing the team's versatility and dedication. 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 story behind Expedition 33 mirrors the enchanting experience of the game itself. Driven by boredom and serendipity, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a timeless game that promises to captivate players for years. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by clicking on our article below!