At Sandfall Interactive, the innovative studio behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a dedicated team of just 33 individuals (along with one beloved dog) is making a remarkable mark in the gaming industry. In a fascinating interview with The Washington Post, the founder, Guillaume Broche, and lead writer, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, offered an in-depth look into the creative process that shaped Expedition 33.
During the peak of development, the core team comprised 4 skilled programmers, 5 talented background artists, 3 imaginative character designers, 3 thoughtful game designers, 6 video specialists focused on storytelling, 8 dynamic combat animators, and 4 sound engineers crafting immersive audio experiences. What’s particularly interesting is that many of these contributors worked remotely as freelancers, collaborating from a variety of locations rather than being tied to a traditional office environment. This flexible approach not only enhanced creativity but also allowed for a diverse range of ideas and perspectives to flourish throughout the development process.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – Secrets of Creation and Main Differences from Other JRPGs
The main events of the creation and secrets of the game:
- Some people refer to Sandfall Interactive as a studio of “refugees from Ubisoft,” but that characterization is quite misleading, Brosh emphasized. In reality, only three members of the team have backgrounds at Ubisoft, while the majority is made up of emerging talents eager to make their mark. Brosh himself has been involved in several high-profile Ubisoft projects, including Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Breakpoint and The Division 2. It is also crucial to recognize that many developers, artists, and specialists contributed to the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 through various outsourcing partnerships, enhancing the project with a diverse array of skills and perspectives.
- Interestingly, Jennifer Svedberg-Yen joined the initiative after coming across a post by Brosh on Reddit. Intrigued, she applied for a role in his game and subsequently became the lead writer. What’s fascinating is that Jennifer had no prior experience in game writing; for a considerable part of her career, she worked as a private investor, which adds a unique dimension to her storytelling approach. The blend of her financial expertise and fresh perspective brings a novel angle to the game’s narrative development. In a lively conversation with The Washington Post, she laughed as she shared, “I doubt that [Brosh] sent out many audition tapes because he cast me almost immediately for two roles.” At that time, the circumstances were quite different, yet Mael and Lune—characters originally envisioned for Svedberg-Yen—ultimately found their place in the final version of the game that the writer helped shape.
- As Brosh and Svedberg-Yen began their collaboration on the story, he often sought Jennifer’s insights on various fantasy shows and narratives. They quickly realized they had strikingly similar tastes and visions for the project. “We uncovered a lot of common ground regarding the story we wanted to tell. From the start, we agreed that it wouldn’t revolve around the typical battle between good and evil, and we intentionally avoided including any cartoonish villains,” Svedberg-Yen elaborated. This shared understanding allowed them to craft a more nuanced narrative that deviated from conventional tropes, enriching the overall experience for the audience.
- The impact of Japanese RPGs in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is unmistakably present, largely due to Brosh’s profound love for the genre. His first encounter with a JRPG was with Final Fantasy VIII, which he joyfully played alongside his brother. As Guillaume fondly remembers, they could barely read at that young age, making their battle against the initial boss a significant and memorable challenge. With only auto-attacks available to them, they struggled to overcome the enemy, which added to the frustration. Despite this, the game left them with cherished memories that have stayed with them over the years. As Brosh grew as a gamer, he explored other niche franchises like Persona, Suikoden, and Atelier, each leaving a mark on his creative vision.
- In creating the game’s opening scene, Svedberg-Yen drew deeply from her experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting on the overwhelming fear and uncertainty that came with the illness. This personal connection helped shape the emotional tone of the game.
- From the very beginning, Brosh had a single goal: to give players a cinematic RPG with deep turn-based combat. Unlike many projects in the genre, where the emphasis is shifted towards stylized graphics, the creative director insisted on a realistic, almost tangible visual presentation. To achieve this bar, the team purposefully worked with the improved graphics of the Unreal Engine, using its capabilities to create characters and environments with the smallest elaboration of details – from skin textures to the play of light in raindrops.
- As part of an exclusive partnership, the project brought together world-class stars: Charlie Cox, remembered by viewers as “Daredevil”, and Andy Serkis, whose skill brought the heroes of “The Lord of the Rings” to life. Their participation in the voice acting of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was made possible thanks to the support of the publisher Kepler Interactive.
- “We’re completely exhausted. We’ve put every ounce of our energy and creativity into this game, leaving nothing in reserve,” Brosh remarked, flashing a tired yet content smile. He emphasized that the team has truly poured their hearts and souls into this project, and he sincerely hopes that players will recognize and appreciate the dedication behind it.
- Recently, some chatter circulated online suggesting that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 might be receiving an expansion. This speculation originated from a comment made by Svedberg-Yen, but she has since clarified that her remarks were misinterpreted. Brosh also downplayed these rumors, stating firmly that the team is currently focused on enhancing and refining the game itself, ensuring it meets the high standards they’ve set for themselves and their audience.
Recently, fans of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 received a pleasant surprise — the first patch, which over time improved the gaming experience. The developers from the French studio Sandfall Interactive not only fixed a number of bugs that interfered with comfortable passage, but also seriously worked on optimization. Owners of ultra-wide monitors will especially appreciate the update: now the gloomy beauty of the world is revealed even brighter and more cinematic. One of the noticeable balance changes was a 40% weakening of the Stendhal ability of the character Mael — a step aimed at equalizing the gaming capabilities.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is an atmospheric role-playing game, officially released on April 24, 2025. Its action takes place in a special fantasy setting, inspired by France of the late 19th – early 20th centuries. The visual aesthetics rich in historical references, clever plot and good tactical component quickly won the hearts of players: in just the first three days, the project sold more than 1 million copies, securing its status as one of the leaders of the RPG genre in 2025.
