"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director Crafts 2025 GotY Hopeful Amid Ubisoft Boredom"

Discover the fascinating story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highest-rated game of 2025, and how its director's boredom at Ubisoft led to the creation of this instant classic. Dive into the journey of Sandfall Interactive and the unique circumstances that brought this game to life.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become an iconic title, achieving the highest ratings of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies within just three days of its release. What's remarkable is that this game-of-the-year contender was born from a moment of boredom and a desire to innovate.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, Sandfall Interactive's developers shared the origins of the game. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the project began as a way to combat his restlessness while working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by his childhood love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create a similar JRPG experience, starting his journey on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out to potential team members through Reddit and online forums. Despite the initial lack of enthusiasm for a Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based game, he persisted. His efforts paid off when Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to a Reddit post seeking voice actors. Initially cast for a major character, Svedberg-Yen 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 grew to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional means, such as composer Lorien Testard, who connected via Soundcloud. The support from Kepler Interactive also allowed them to collaborate with renowned actors like Charlie Cox, Ben Starr, Jennifer English, and Andy Serkis.

Despite the team's growth, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility, taking on multiple roles during production. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, handled translations in various languages. Broche praised the team, noting, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."

The magical origins of Expedition 33 mirror the enchanting experience of the game itself. Driven by boredom and a bit of luck, Sandfall Interactive crafted a game that promises to captivate players for generations. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Stay updated with the latest news by clicking on our article below!