"Clair Obscur Director, Bored at Ubisoft, Creates 2025 GotY Hopeful"

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s director was bored, so he created 2025’s highest-rated game. Dive into the fascinating story of how boredom led to the creation of this masterpiece and the formation of Sandfall Interactive.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has quickly become a landmark title, hailed as the highest-rated game of 2025 and achieving over 1 million sales in just three days. What's astonishing is that this game-of-the-year contender was sparked by sheer boredom and a desire for innovation.

In a revealing interview with BBC News on May 4, the team at Sandfall Interactive shared the origins of the game. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project was initially a remedy for his restlessness while working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic. Inspired by his lifelong passion for the Final Fantasy series, Broche set out to create his own JRPG, beginning his journey on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out via Reddit and online forums, despite the initial lack of enthusiasm for his Belle Époque-inspired, turn-based gameplay concept. Undeterred, he persisted in his search for like-minded individuals.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, stumbled upon Broche's call for voice actors on Reddit. Intrigued, she auditioned and was initially cast as a major character, later ascending to the role of lead writer. "I was like: 'I've never done that, it sounds kinda cool', so I sent him an audition," Svedberg-Yen recalled.

Broche eventually left Ubisoft to dedicate himself fully to Expedition 33, establishing Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team expanded to around 30 members, many of whom were found through unconventional channels, such as composer Lorien Testard, who was discovered via Soundcloud.

Thanks to Kepler Interactive’s backing, the team could engage 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), among others.

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

The magical origins of Expedition 33 mirror the enchanting experience it offers players. Driven by boredom and serendipity, Sandfall Interactive has crafted a game that promises to captivate audiences for years to come. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. To stay updated with the latest news and developments, check out our article below!