Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director was bored, so he created 2025’s highest-rated game. Discover the fascinating journey of how the developers were inspired to create this masterpiece and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swiftly become an instant classic, achieving the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies within just three days. Remarkably, this game-of-the-year favorite was born from a place of boredom and a yearning for something new.
In an insightful interview with BBC News on May 4, the team from Sandfall Interactive shared the origins of the game. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project stemmed from his need to alleviate boredom. Amidst the peak of the 2020 pandemic, while working at Ubisoft, Broche felt restless and was struck with a vision for a new game.
A lifelong fan of the Final Fantasy series, Broche was inspired to create a game reminiscent of his favorite JRPGs. His journey to realize this dream began on Reddit.
A Stroke of Luck
To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out to potential collaborators via Reddit and online forums. At the time, the concept of Expedition 33 as a Belle Époque-inspired, classic turn-based game was not widely celebrated. Nevertheless, Broche persevered, seeking like-minded individuals for his passion project.
While under lockdown in Australia, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen responded to one of Broche's posts seeking voice actors. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," Svedberg-Yen recalled. Initially cast as a major character, she eventually became the lead writer for Expedition 33.
Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With financial backing from Kepler Interactive, the team grew to approximately 30 members. Many, like composer Lorien Testard, were found through unconventional means such as Soundcloud.
Thanks to Kepler Interactive's support, the team was able to enlist renowned actors including Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), and others.
Despite the expanding team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized that they "wore many different hats" throughout the game’s development. Core team members often took on multiple roles; for instance, Svedberg-Yen also handled translations. Broche praised the team, stating, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."
The origins of Expedition 33 are as enchanting as the game itself. Driven by boredom and fortunate encounters, Sandfall Interactive crafted a timeless game that promises to captivate players for years. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news on the game by clicking on our article below!
