Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Developer Aims for Authenticity Over Popularity in Upcoming Game

Sandfall Interactive has certainly captured the attention of gamers with the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. This RPG not only clinched the title of Game of the Year but also made waves at The Game Awards, setting high expectations for the developer’s next venture. However, Sandfall is committed to staying true to their vision rather than chasing mass appeal. In a conversation with Edge magazine, lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen expressed that while they appreciate their growing fanbase and the expectations that come with it, the team aims to focus on what they find exciting. “Creatively, we’ve always let our North Star be our own personal taste in terms of what we think is cool—what it is we enjoy and want to see,” she explained. Svedberg-Yen emphasized the importance of trusting their instincts and maintaining the essence of their creative vision, rather than compromising to please a wider audience.

Sandfall’s COO and producer, François Meurisse, acknowledged the pressure surrounding their next project but reassured that they have “some great ideas” in the pipeline, a sentiment he’s echoed since last May. It’s still unclear whether the studio will develop a sequel to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or venture into new territory. Recently, CEO and creative director Guillaume Broche mentioned that while the studio has the financial resources to expand, they don’t plan to increase the team size for their next game. The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has certainly bolstered their budget, but Broche prefers to invest wisely rather than simply growing the team. Following The Game Awards, the RPG also received a significant update, introducing a new area to explore along with various quality-of-life enhancements.