In the early months of the pandemic in 2020, Guillaume Broche, then an employee at Ubisoft, yearned for a creative outlet amidst widespread monotony. Inspired by classic Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy, he envisioned a game that would eventually become "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33." Fast forward five years, and this indie title has not only sold a million copies in three days but also captured the admiration of audiences, topping Spotify's charts and even earning accolades from French President Emmanuel Macron.
The game transports players to Lumiere, a fantastical realm dominated by a looming monolith that marks the passage of time. Each year, the enigmatic figure known as The Paintress causes individuals of a specific age to vanish as she reduces the monolith's number, setting the stage for a group determined to unravel this mystery. What truly sets "Expedition 33" apart is its unique combination of aesthetic influences from 19th-century France and nostalgic turn-based combat, challenging the prevailing notion that such styles wouldn't appeal to contemporary gamers.
The project, which flourished through unconventional recruitment methods, began with Broche's outreach on platforms like Reddit and online forums. One key collaborator, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, joined the team after hearing Broche's appeal for free voice actors for a demo while in lockdown in Australia. Although she initially voiced a major character, she transitioned to the role of lead writer, highlighting the fluid and collaborative nature of the small team that began to form around Broche's vision.
Transitioning from Ubisoft to creating his own studio, Sandfall Interactive, Broche garnered funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, allowing him to expand the team to nearly 30 members. Remarkably, many core contributors were recruited in a similar, serendipitous fashion, drawn together by shared visions and creative energy during a time of global upheaval.
The production quality of "Expedition 33," reminiscent of titles developed by much larger teams, benefits greatly from recent advancements in game development technology that enabled efficiency and collective creativity. With the support of Kepler, the game was able to attract celebrated actors including Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis, while the dedicated core team tackled multiple roles, ensuring every detail of the game was imbued with passion.
As the project neared completion, both Broche and Svedberg-Yen reflected on the journey of bringing their passion project to life, emphasizing the remarkable resilience and dedication of their team, which primarily consisted of junior members eager to contribute. The blend of talent, creativity, and a touch of luck has led to a game that has captured the imaginations of many, solidifying "Clair Obscur" as a noteworthy entry in the gaming landscape of 2025.
