Expedition 33 Leader Acknowledges Mixed Reactions to Upcoming Game Are Inevitable

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the first title from Sandfall Interactive, took the gaming world by storm in 2025, racking up a slew of game of the year accolades. As the studio gears up for its next project, director Guillaume Broche acknowledges the challenge of following such a beloved title, expressing that he’s perfectly fine if the next game doesn’t resonate with everyone.

In a candid episode of a gaming discussion series, Broche opened up about the studio’s upcoming game, stating, “Maybe people won’t like it. That’s life.” This laid-back perspective is refreshing, especially when considering the immense success of Clair Obscur. He emphasizes that the development philosophy behind the first game was never about catering to an audience but rather about creating something that excited the team. “We didn’t make the first game to please anyone,” he admits, “and I think that’s why it worked.” The focus was on crafting a game that the developers were passionate about, and the positive reception from players was a delightful bonus.

Broche recognizes the pressure that comes with the success of Clair Obscur, noting that expectations are high for the next title. However, he remains committed to the original ethos, stating that succumbing to pressure to scale up or expand the studio would lead to games he wouldn’t personally enjoy.

While details about Sandfall’s next project remain under wraps, Broche hinted at some bold decisions ahead. A key point of speculation is whether the new game will serve as a sequel to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. He reiterated a previous sentiment that “Clair Obscur” represents the franchise as a whole, with Expedition 33 being just one narrative within it. This suggests that Sandfall might adopt an anthology format, similar to the Final Fantasy series, where each installment introduces a fresh world and new characters. A direct sequel would also necessitate choosing a canon ending for Expedition 33, a choice the studio has intentionally sidestepped. Regardless of what comes next, the follow-up to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is sure to be intriguing.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC.

In a recent discussion with Twitch streamers and content creators, Sandfall Interactive clarified its approach to AI usage.