Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Reveals Key to J’RPG Success: “Focus on Your Game, Not the Players”

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s developers share their insights on the game’s success, emphasizing the importance of crafting a title that resonates with players.

In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the more you delve into the backgrounds of the creators, the clearer the game’s essence becomes. The developers’ admiration for classics like Final Fantasy X and Lost Odyssey is evident, and game director Guillaume Broche’s challenge runs in Devil May Cry reveal a deep connection to the genre. Verso’s moveset serves as a heartfelt tribute to the series, with the style meter and many abilities echoing Vergil’s iconic kit.

In a conversation with an outlet’s Knowledge newsletter, Broche discussed the key to the game’s triumph, stating, “The secret is to adapt the game to the team you have, not the other way around.” He elaborated, “It’s not about processes; it’s about creating a game you want to play. It may seem contradictory, but you shouldn’t focus too much on the players. If you genuinely care about your game, that care will naturally extend to the players.”

Broche further explained, “The best way to show you care is to create something sincere. If it feels human, even with minor imperfections, players will forgive it. It just needs to possess a strong soul and identity.”

Lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen added, “Everything fits together because we allowed ourselves to be influenced by one another. Art shaped the story, the story shaped the art, and music influenced both. There was a lot of cross-pollination of ideas.” She noted that through “a lot of back and forth” among the development team, “we elevated each other,” emphasizing, “I truly believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”

Svedberg-Yen also mentioned that she “didn’t think of it as writing an RPG” but rather approached it “almost like writing an HBO drama.”