Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highest-rated game of 2025 that sold over 1 million copies in just three days. Learn about the unique journey of its creation and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become an instant classic, earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025. Surprisingly, this game-of-the-year contender originated from the director's boredom and desire to innovate.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Guillaume Broche, the director from Sandfall Interactive, shared the story behind the game's inception. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, Broche felt restless and was inspired to create a game that echoed his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series. This desire to pursue his passion project led him to Reddit, marking the beginning of his ambitious journey.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out on Reddit and various online forums, seeking team members for his Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based game. Despite initial lukewarm responses, he persisted and found collaborators who shared his passion.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to one of Broche's posts on Reddit. Initially auditioning for a voice role, she later became the lead writer for Expedition 33. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," Svedberg-Yen recalled.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to around 30 members. Many were discovered through unconventional means, such as composer Lorien Testard, who connected with them via Soundcloud.

With Kepler Interactive's backing, they were able to recruit well-known actors including Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), enhancing the game's appeal.

Throughout the development process, Broche and Svedberg-Yen took on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, also handled translations in different languages. Broche praised the team, saying, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."

The magical origins of Expedition 33 are as enchanting as the game itself. Driven by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a generational masterpiece that promises to captivate players for years to come. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates, be sure to check out our dedicated article below!