"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Director, Bored at Ubisoft, Creates 2025 GotY Contender"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director, driven by boredom, crafted what is now hailed as the highest-rated game of 2025. Dive into the story behind the creation of this game and the birth of Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become an iconic title, earning the title of the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over a million copies in just three days. What's fascinating is that this game-of-the-year contender originated from the director's sense of boredom and a yearning for something new.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, the team at Sandfall Interactive shared the genesis of the game. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the project began as a way to alleviate his boredom. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, he felt restless and was inspired to create a game reminiscent of his childhood favorite, the Final Fantasy series. This marked the beginning of his journey to turn his dream into reality, starting with reaching out on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche posted messages on Reddit and various online forums in search of team members. At the time, the concept of Expedition 33, featuring Belle Époque-inspired turn-based gameplay, wasn't an immediate hit. Nevertheless, Broche persisted, determined to find collaborators for his passion project.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, locked down in Australia, responded to one of Broche's Reddit posts seeking voice actors. Intrigued by the opportunity, she said, "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition." Initially cast as a major character, Svedberg-Yen eventually took on the role of the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to dedicate himself fully to Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels. For instance, composer Lorien Testard joined after connecting through a Soundcloud post.

With Kepler Interactive's backing, they were able 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).

Despite the team's growth, Broche and Svedberg-Yen emphasized their versatility during production, with team members taking on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for example, handled translations in 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 serendipity, Sandfall Interactive has created a timeless game that will 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!