When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered at the same time as the launch of the fellow role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many believed it would overshadow the newcomer. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement around the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur's launch.
Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager, shared insights with The Game Business about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s successful launch despite the competition.
To provide some context, RPG enthusiasts were faced with a tough decision: invest countless hours exploring Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embark on a unique adventure to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these two games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans. Kepler Interactive playfully acknowledged the situation on X/Twitter, posting an edited image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate with the caption, "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously referencing the concurrent release of the films Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.
omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc
— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025
Microsoft, which owns Bethesda and had heavily promoted Clair Obscur since its reveal at an Xbox Showcase the previous year, faced criticism for the shadow-drop strategy, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.
Handrahan, however, remained unfazed by the competition. “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity,” he explained. “When I was in the press, I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences. I knew plenty of people that would play an Elder Scrolls game that wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa.
“Also, by the time we launched, we had our own momentum and felt confident that we could stand beside it. Factors like our pricing and inclusion in Game Pass contributed to our belief that there would be significant interest in our game. We were confident, and the launch went as well as we could have hoped. In fact, the proximity to Oblivion did not harm us at all. If anything, it heightened the attention on quality RPGs that week, and the genre was at the forefront of everyone’s mind.”
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has proven to be a major success for Kepler Interactive and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies within three days and achieving impressive concurrent player counts on Steam. The game's success was even acknowledged by French President Macron, who praised the development team.Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures were not disclosed. It also enjoyed significant concurrent player numbers on Steam.
According to data from Ampere cited by The Game Business, 35% of Clair Obscur players also played Oblivion Remastered, indicating a notable overlap. This overlap was more pronounced among Game Pass users, with less crossover among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.
For more on Oblivion Remastered, check out our report on a player who managed to escape Cyrodiil to explore Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for The Elder Scrolls VI.We also offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.
For those interested in Clair Obscur, be sure to read our tips on important things to know before diving into the game.
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