Expedition 33’s Game Awards Dominance Sparks Online Controversy and Theories
If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok lately, you might have stumbled upon some intriguing content related to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, especially following its impressive performance at The Game Awards. One curious detail is the bar at the bottom of the screen that often features the phrase “expedition 33 israel.” Clicking on it reveals a surprising number of videos tied to that topic.
TikTok keeps its algorithm under wraps, cautioning users that search results may not always be reliable, particularly during “rapidly changing events.” However, it seems that a mix of user behavior and algorithmic quirks is linking the game to Israel, likely due to the way Expedition 33 swept the awards. Despite being a frontrunner and the most-nominated game ever, some gamers are expressing their discontent, claiming—whether seriously or for laughs—that there’s a conspiracy at play. Instead of processing their disappointment in a typical manner, these players are trying to undermine the game’s reputation by associating it with Israel, a tactic that has become a way to make any topic socially contentious.
One TikTok with over 187,000 views humorously claims, “Netanyahu summoning 3000 billion IDF soldiers to vote expedition 33 for every category for the game awards.” Another, with over 146,000 views, states, “Yeah bro I think expedition 33 deserved every single game award despite gameplay of it being lost media and is NOT israeli funded.”
Even those who aren’t deeply entrenched in online culture are struggling to grasp the phenomenon surrounding Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. With over 5 million copies sold, this RPG has become a hot topic. However, the reality is that far more people have yet to experience Clair Obscur than those who have. Many may have read about it in recent articles or heard about its award wins. Engagement with the game on PC and consoles has surged, tripling in the past week, indicating that Expedition 33’s visibility is skyrocketing.
For gamers who typically purchase just one or two titles a year, like a Call of Duty or a sports game, or those who stick to a single live-service game, the appeal of Clair Obscur might not be immediately clear. It doesn’t feature cutting-edge graphics or A-list celebrities, and its JRPG style isn’t the most mainstream.
There are also plenty of observers who are less than thrilled about Expedition 33’s success at The Game Awards, which fuels the spread of disgruntled videos and comments on TikTok, further linking the game to Israel. Discussions about its eligibility for awards like Best Indie have been ongoing since the nominees were revealed, partly because the game had a substantial budget and publisher support. Compared to giants like Battlefield 6, which reportedly have budgets soaring to $400 million, Clair Obscur’s origins seem modest. Winning the indie category has only intensified the debate, especially after a fellow nominee withdrew over concerns about fitting the debut indie category.
Controversy over a title like ‘Game of the Year’ is inevitable. Taste is subjective, and what one player considers the best may seem underwhelming to another. Each category Expedition 33 was nominated for heightened the potential for backlash. The reactions to the awards were not particularly gracious, even from other nominees. Shortly after Expedition 33 was named Best RPG, the social media channels for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 shared the ‘everything is fine’ meme, which, while lighthearted, contributed to the growing sentiment against Clair Obscur. The KCD2 account even responded to fans with blank emoji, adding to the intrigue.
Some might argue that the studio has a right to feel a bit aggrieved. While I’m not taking sides, it’s worth noting that a colleague once called KCD2 the best RPG they’ve ever played. On the r/expedition33 subreddit, which you’d expect to be filled with die-hard fans, the top comment on the announcement of Clair Obscur’s win reads, “Oh bro, as a expedition 33 fan I feel sad for KCD2.” Some discussions are already suggesting that Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 was robbed.
Did Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 truly deserve all the accolades it received this year? That’s up for debate. What stands out, however, is that every award Sandfall Interactive won saw different team members take the stage to accept the recognition. During many of these speeches, founder Guillaume Broche stood quietly alongside his colleagues, only speaking up to express gratitude for YouTube videos that aided their development and to acknowledge inspirations like Hironobu Sakaguchi, whose work on franchises like Final Fantasy influenced Expedition 33. The phrase ‘For those who come after’ resonates deeply, and despite the snarky posts and memes, the genuine passion that fueled Clair Obscur’s success remains undeniable.
