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

Discover the story behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the highest-rated game of 2025, born from the director's boredom and a desire for innovation. Learn how Sandfall Interactive came to be and what inspired the creation of this instant classic.

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Was Made Out of Boredom

Doing Something Different

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has emerged as an instant classic, securing its place as the highest-rated game of 2025 and selling over 1 million copies in just three days. Surprisingly, this game-of-the-year favorite originated from a sense of boredom and the urge to break from the norm.

In an interview with BBC News on May 4, the developers from Sandfall Interactive shared the origins of the game. Director Guillaume Broche disclosed that the project was initially conceived as a way to combat his boredom. While working at Ubisoft during the peak of the 2020 pandemic, Broche felt restless and was inspired to create a game reminiscent of his childhood favorite, the JRPG series Final Fantasy. This sparked his journey to realize his vision, beginning with outreach on Reddit.

A Stroke of Luck

To bring his vision to life, Broche reached out on Reddit and various online forums, seeking team members for his Belle Époque-inspired turn-based game. Despite initial lukewarm responses to the concept, Broche persisted with his passion project.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia, responded to one of Broche's 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 for a major character, Svedberg-Yen eventually took on the role of Expedition 33's lead writer.

Broche left Ubisoft to dedicate himself fully to Expedition 33, founding Sandfall Interactive. With funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the team grew to around 30 members, many of whom were discovered through unconventional channels, such as composer Lorien Testard, who connected with them via Soundcloud.

Thanks to Kepler Interactive's support, Sandfall Interactive was able to collaborate with 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 during production, taking on multiple roles. Svedberg-Yen, for instance, handled translations into various languages. Broche praised the team, stating, "We have, I think, an amazing team mostly of junior people but they are so incredibly invested in the project and talented."

The journey of Expedition 33, from a spark of boredom to a game that will be cherished for years, is as enchanting as the game itself. 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!