"Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Publisher Praises Oblivion Remastered Shadow-Drop for Boosting RPG Visibility"

When Bethesda unexpectedly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered during the launch week of the role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, many believed that the simultaneous release would overshadow the latter. However, Kepler Interactive, the publisher of Clair Obscur, reported that not only did Oblivion not negatively impact Clair Obscur, but it actually enhanced the excitement for the RPG genre as a whole.

Matt Handrahan, Kepler Interactive's senior portfolio manager, shared insights on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's successful launch in an interview with The Game Business. RPG enthusiasts were initially faced with a tough decision: dive into the expansive world of Cyrodiil in Oblivion or set out on a unique adventure to confront the Paintress in Clair Obscur. The concurrent release of both titles elicited a mix of excitement and frustration from the gaming community, prompting a witty response from Kepler Interactive.

On social media, Kepler shared a cleverly edited image of Clair Obscur characters stepping through an Oblivion Gate, accompanied by the caption "omg its like barbenheimer," playfully referencing the simultaneous release of the films 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 reveal at an Xbox Showcase, faced criticism for the shadow-drop of Oblivion, especially since both games were available on Game Pass from day one.

Despite these concerns, Handrahan remained optimistic. "We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity," he explained. "The Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG appeal to different audiences. I knew many who enjoyed Elder Scrolls but wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy, and vice versa.

"By the time we launched, we had built our own momentum and felt confident that we could stand alongside Oblivion. Factors like our pricing strategy and inclusion in Game Pass played a significant role in generating interest. We were confident, and the launch exceeded our expectations. The proximity to Oblivion didn't harm us at all; rather, it drew more attention to quality RPGs, sparking conversations and excitement within the genre."

Clair Obscur has proven to be a major success for Kepler Interactive and its French developer, Sandfall Interactive, selling over 1 million copies in just three days and achieving impressive concurrent player numbers on Steam. The game's success even earned praise from French President Macron.

Bethesda reported that Oblivion Remastered has attracted over 4 million players since its launch, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed. The game has also seen significant 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 notable overlap. This overlap is largely attributed to both games being available on Game Pass, with the percentage decreasing for players on Steam and PlayStation 5.

Our comprehensive guide to Oblivion Remastered includes an expansive Interactive Map, complete Walkthroughs for the Main Questline and every Guild Quest, tips on How to Build the Perfect Character, Things to Do First, every PC Cheat Code, and much more.

For Clair Obscur, don't miss our tips on the essential things to know before embarking on your adventure.