When Bethesda surprised fans by shadow-dropping The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered amidst the launch of another role-playing game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many predicted a clear winner. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher behind Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact their game, but it actually enhanced the excitement surrounding the RPG genre, benefiting Clair Obscur.
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. RPG enthusiasts were faced with a tough decision: dive into the vast world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or embark on an adventure to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The simultaneous release of these two games sparked a mix of excitement and frustration among fans, prompting a witty remark from Kepler Interactive on social media.
In a playful X/Twitter post, Kepler shared an image of Clair Obscur characters entering an Oblivion Gate, captioned "omg its like barbenheimer," humorously referencing the concurrent release of the movies Barbie and Oppenheimer in 2023.
omg its like barbenheimer pic.twitter.com/TN1AFzdggc
— Kepler Interactive (@Kepler_Interact) April 22, 2025
Microsoft, the owner of Bethesda and a major supporter of Clair Obscur since its showcase at last year's Xbox event, faced criticism for releasing Oblivion on the same day as Clair Obscur, with both games available on Game Pass from day one.
However, Handrahan reassured that there was no cause for concern. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a unique identity," he explained. "In my time in the press, I noticed that Western-style RPGs and Japanese-style RPGs attract different audiences. Many who enjoy Elder Scrolls might not play Final Fantasy and vice versa.
"By the time we launched, we had built our own momentum and felt confident in standing alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing strategy and inclusion in Game Pass ensured strong interest in our game. Everything went as well as we could have hoped, and the proximity to Oblivion didn't hurt us at all. In fact, it highlighted the quality RPGs released that week, sparking widespread discussion about the genre."
AnswerSee ResultsClair Obscur has become a significant success for Kepler and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. Its success even earned praise from French President Macron.Bethesda announced that Oblivion Remastered has attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures have not been disclosed. It, too, has seen substantial 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 significant overlap. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with the percentage decreasing among Steam and PlayStation 5 players.
For more on *Oblivion Remastered*, we've covered a remarkable story of a player who managed to explore beyond Cyrodiil into Valenwood, Skyrim, and even Hammerfell, the rumored setting for *The Elder Scrolls VI*.Additionally, we offer a comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered, featuring an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the main questline and all guild quests, How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and more.
For those interested in Clair Obscur, be sure to check out our tips for essential things to know before starting your adventure.
