"2025 GotY Contender Born from Ubisoft Director's Boredom"

Discover the fascinating journey behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the game that became the highest-rated title of 2025 and sold over 1 million copies within just three days. Learn about the creative spark that ignited its development and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands out as an instant classic, captivating players worldwide and earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025. Surprisingly, this game-of-the-year contender was born out of a simple desire to break the monotony.

In a May 4 interview with BBC News, Sandfall Interactive's developers shared the intriguing story behind the game's inception. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project began as a way to alleviate his boredom during the peak of the 2020 pandemic while working at Ubisoft. Inspired by his lifelong love for the Final Fantasy series, Broche embarked on a quest 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 the online community, posting on Reddit and various forums to assemble his team. Despite the initial lack of enthusiasm for his Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based gameplay concept, Broche persevered.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to one of Broche's Reddit posts seeking voice actors. Intrigued by the opportunity, she auditioned and was initially cast for a major character role. Her involvement quickly grew, leading her to become the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, establishing Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to approximately 30 members. Many, like composer Lorien Testard, were recruited through unconventional means, such as posts on Soundcloud.

With Kepler Interactive's backing, Sandfall Interactive was able to attract 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), enhancing the game's appeal.

Despite the team's growth, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility during production, often taking on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for example, handled translations into various 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 crafted a game that promises to captivate players for years to come. 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!