Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director was bored, so he created 2025’s highest-rated game. Dive into the inspiring journey of how the developers at Sandfall Interactive crafted this masterpiece and the formation of the studio itself.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom
Doing Something Different
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has swiftly become an iconic title, clinching the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies in just three days. This game-of-the-year contender surprisingly originated from a moment of boredom and a yearning for innovation.
In a recent interview with BBC News on May 4, the team at Sandfall Interactive shared the genesis of the game. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project was born out of his need to alleviate boredom. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, he felt restless and was inspired to create something new.
A lifelong fan of the JRPG series Final Fantasy, Broche set out to realize his dream of crafting a similar experience, beginning his journey on Reddit.
A Stroke of Luck
To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out to potential collaborators via Reddit and various online forums. Initially, the concept of Expedition 33—a game inspired by the Belle Époque era with classic turn-based gameplay—didn't generate much excitement. However, this didn't deter Broche, who persisted in his search for like-minded individuals passionate about his project.
During Australia's lockdown, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen stumbled upon Broche's Reddit post seeking voice actors and decided to audition. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," Svedberg-Yen recounted. Initially cast as a major character, she eventually became the lead writer for Expedition 33.
Broche left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to approximately 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels. Composer Lorien Testard, for example, connected with the team via Soundcloud.
Kepler Interactive’s backing enabled them to engage renowned actors such as Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), among others.
Despite the growing team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their multifaceted roles during development. "We wore many different hats," they noted. The core team often stepped outside their primary roles to contribute to the game, with Svedberg-Yen also handling translations into multiple 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 origins of Expedition 33 are as enchanting as the game itself. Fueled by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a timeless game destined to be enjoyed for generations. 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 the link below!
