In the height of the pandemic in 2020, gaming professional Guillaume Broche, then working with Ubisoft, found himself yearning for change. This led him to develop a passion project inspired by his childhood favorite, the iconic Final Fantasy series. The result? Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has quickly become a trending topic, selling a million copies within just three days and generating buzz with its soundtrack that topped Spotify's viral charts.
The narrative behind the game’s creation is as captivating as the game itself, marked by unexpected collaborations initiated through casual Reddit posts and a stroke of "massive luck." Set in Lumiere, a fantastical realm, Expedition 33 follows the tale of characters confronting a mysterious entity called The Paintress, which annually erases a segment of the population defined by a glowing numeral on a monolith. The game’s combination of a unique aesthetic reflective of 19th Century France and nostalgic turn-based gameplay set a distinctive tone, despite early skepticism regarding its appeal.
The recruiting process for the project was unconventional but incredibly fruitful. Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who found Broche's Reddit post while in lockdown in Australia, became the lead writer after initially auditioning as a voice actor. Palpably impassioned by the project, the duo transitioned from their established responsibilities at their respective organizations to form Sandfall Interactive, the studio behind Clair Obscur.
Securing funding from Kepler Interactive allowed the fledgling team to expand to around 30 members, many of whom, like composer Lorien Testard, were talented individuals discovered through social media platforms. Broche humorously credits his success in recruiting to the pandemic's influence on creative individuals searching for new outlets, alongside a healthy amount of good fortune.
Despite the lean team structure compared to larger production houses, Expedition 33 has gained acclaim for its impressive production values, which are on par with much bigger games, thanks partly to recent advances in game development technology. The backing from Kepler enabled the studio to enlist prominent talents, including actors from major franchises like Daredevil and the Lord of the Rings.
The commitment and versatility of the core team played critical roles in the project’s success, with members frequently stepping outside their prescribed roles to contribute in various areas. Broche expressed wonder at the journey, emphasizing the strength and dedication of a predominantly junior team committed to making their vision a reality. As they celebrate their achievements, the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 serves as a testament to the power of passion and adaptability in the world of gaming.
The narrative behind the game’s creation is as captivating as the game itself, marked by unexpected collaborations initiated through casual Reddit posts and a stroke of "massive luck." Set in Lumiere, a fantastical realm, Expedition 33 follows the tale of characters confronting a mysterious entity called The Paintress, which annually erases a segment of the population defined by a glowing numeral on a monolith. The game’s combination of a unique aesthetic reflective of 19th Century France and nostalgic turn-based gameplay set a distinctive tone, despite early skepticism regarding its appeal.
The recruiting process for the project was unconventional but incredibly fruitful. Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who found Broche's Reddit post while in lockdown in Australia, became the lead writer after initially auditioning as a voice actor. Palpably impassioned by the project, the duo transitioned from their established responsibilities at their respective organizations to form Sandfall Interactive, the studio behind Clair Obscur.
Securing funding from Kepler Interactive allowed the fledgling team to expand to around 30 members, many of whom, like composer Lorien Testard, were talented individuals discovered through social media platforms. Broche humorously credits his success in recruiting to the pandemic's influence on creative individuals searching for new outlets, alongside a healthy amount of good fortune.
Despite the lean team structure compared to larger production houses, Expedition 33 has gained acclaim for its impressive production values, which are on par with much bigger games, thanks partly to recent advances in game development technology. The backing from Kepler enabled the studio to enlist prominent talents, including actors from major franchises like Daredevil and the Lord of the Rings.
The commitment and versatility of the core team played critical roles in the project’s success, with members frequently stepping outside their prescribed roles to contribute in various areas. Broche expressed wonder at the journey, emphasizing the strength and dedication of a predominantly junior team committed to making their vision a reality. As they celebrate their achievements, the story of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 serves as a testament to the power of passion and adaptability in the world of gaming.
