Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director was bored, so he created 2025’s highest-rated game. Dive into the story of how the developers were inspired to create this masterpiece 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 become an iconic title, earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies in just three days. Remarkably, this game-of-the-year favorite originated from a simple case of boredom and a yearning for innovation.
In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Sandfall Interactive's developers shared the genesis of the game. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project began as a way to alleviate his boredom. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, he felt restless and was struck with a vision for a new game.
Inspired by his childhood love for the JRPG series Final Fantasy, Broche set out to create something reminiscent of it. His journey to realize this dream started on Reddit.
A Stroke of Luck
To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out through Reddit and various online forums to assemble his team. At the time, the concept of Expedition 33, featuring Belle Époque-inspired classic turn-based gameplay, didn't initially generate much excitement. Yet, undeterred, Broche persisted in seeking collaborators for his passion project.
While under lockdown in Australia, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen responded to one of Broche's Reddit posts seeking voice actors. Intrigued by the opportunity, she said, "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition." Initially cast for a major character, Svedberg-Yen eventually took on the role of lead writer for Expedition 33.
Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, leading to the formation of Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the core team grew to about 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional means. For instance, composer Lorien Testard joined after connecting via Soundcloud.
Thanks to Kepler Interactive’s backing, they were able 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), among others.
Despite the expanding team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility during production, often taking on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for example, also handled translations into different languages. Broche praised the team, stating, "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. Fueled by boredom and a stroke of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a timeless game that promises to captivate players for years to come. 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 checking out our article below!
