Ubisoft Veteran's Clair Obscur Emerges as 2025 GotY Contender

The director of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was driven by boredom to create what would become 2025's top-rated game. Discover the motivation behind the developers and the story of how Sandfall Interactive came to be.

Boredom Inspired Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Embracing a New Direction

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly became a modern classic, achieving the highest ratings of 2025 and selling over one million copies within three days. Interestingly, this Game of the Year contender originated from a place of boredom and a creative urge to break new ground.

On May 4, BBC News interviewed the developers at Sandfall Interactive about the game's origins. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the project began as a way to combat his restlessness. While working at Ubisoft during the pandemic in 2020, he felt uninspired and started envisioning a new game.

Inspired by the beloved Final Fantasy JRPG series since his youth, Broche was determined to bring his own vision to life. He took his first steps toward realizing this dream by reaching out to potential collaborators on Reddit.

A Turn of Fortune

To assemble his team, Broche began sending messages on Reddit and various online forums. At the time, the concept for Expedition 33—a turn-based RPG set in a Belle Époque-inspired world—didn't immediately capture widespread attention. Nevertheless, Broche persisted in his search for like-minded talent.

During lockdown in Australia, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen responded to one of his posts. She came across Broche’s call for voice actors on Reddit and decided to give it a shot. "I thought, 'I've never done that before, but it sounds interesting,' so I sent in an audition," Svedberg-Yen recalled. Initially cast for a major character, she eventually became the lead writer for Expedition 33.

After leaving Ubisoft, Broche dedicated himself entirely to Expedition 33 and founded Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the core team grew to around 30 members. Many were recruited through unconventional channels, including composer Lorien Testard, who connected with the team via Soundcloud.

Supported by Kepler Interactive, the studio was able to bring in renowned actors like Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), and Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings).

Despite the expanding team, Broche and Svedberg-Yen noted that they "wore many hats" throughout the game’s production. Core members often took on responsibilities beyond their primary roles; for instance, Svedberg-Yen also managed translations into multiple languages. Broche remarked, "We have an incredible team, largely composed of junior developers who are deeply invested in the project and exceptionally talented."

The story behind Expedition 33 is as enchanting as the game itself. Fueled by boredom and a stroke of luck, Sandfall Interactive created a timeless title that will captivate players for years. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates, check out our article below!