France’s “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” Lights Up the 2025 Video Game Awards
Learn more about the studio and the game’s growing success in the United States in this special interview.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took shape over several years before becoming the first production of French video game studio Sandfall Interactive, founded in 2020 in Montpellier by Guillaume Broche, Tom Guillermin, and François Meurisse. From the outset, they pursued what many considered an almost over-ambitious goal for a young studio: to create a premium single-player RPG—where players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting—inspired by major Japanese titles, but rooted in a Belle Époque–inspired French world and driven by strong narrative ambition.
The Studio’s First Major Venture: A Mid-Budget Game
What long seemed like a risky bet ultimately turned into a genuine success story when Clair Obscur sold one million copies within a few days, then several million within a few weeks, and established itself as both a critical and commercial phenomenon worldwide. The game went on to win four awards at the Thailand Games Awards last October, as well as six awards at the Golden Joystick Awards in November. Hailed as a “mid-budget” title capable of competing with blockbuster productions, the game has propelled Sandfall Interactive to the forefront as a new standard-bearer for French video games.
Occitanie, A Talent Powerhouse
Sandfall Interactive is part of a genuine Montpellier success story, at the heart of a fast-growing video game ecosystem in the Occitanie region, which already includes acclaimed studios, such as The Game Bakers (Tribeca Games 2025) supported through transatlantic programs like Game Changer in California by Villa Albertine, the Occitanie region, and CNC. According to Emma Delage, Sandfall Interactive’s Marketing Director, the studio proudly embraces this local footprint as both a creative and industrial asset: “Montpellier attracts a wealth of skilled professionals, and our team reflects this mix of experience and fresh talent. Two of our co-founders [Guillaume Broche and Tom Guillermin] are former Ubisoft alumni, and we were fortunate to complement their expertise with a group of young, highly creative developers, many trained at game development schools. This combination has been essential in shaping the quality and vision of the game.”
As a result, each area of expertise feeds into the essence of the game, within a tight-knit team that has managed to impose a strong artistic signature. “Sandfall Interactive today employs about thirty talented individuals, […] Over time, other key figures joined the team, including Nicholas Maxson Francombe, composer Lorien Testard, and writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, each bringing essential expertise that shaped the game.” For producers, this geographic anchoring translates into very concrete opportunities: the region offers studios, sets, and potential filming locations for behind-the-scenes content, spin-off projects, or immersive marketing campaigns, all within a setting that lends itself perfectly to a distinctly “made in France” production narrative.
“We believe this ‘cultural uniqueness’ is a core strength of the game, helping it stand out globally.”
Storytelling Rooted in French Uniqueness
Clair Obscur’s distinctly French identity also plays a key role in its visibility. In Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, players explore a world inspired by Belle Époque France, guiding the members of Expedition 33 in their quest to destroy the Paintress, all while facing a ticking clock of just one year to live. This artistic vision, beyond its innovative story, foregrounds French cultural elements. “During the early design phase, we initially imagined a Victorian-inspired universe,” explains Emma Delage. “It was through extensive research that our Art Director, Nicholas Maxson Francombe (of American-Belgian origin), proposed a distorted Eiffel Tower, which inspired us to fully embrace a Belle Époque–inspired French world. This iconic cultural element is certainly one of the features that differentiates the game and introduces American audiences to French culture in a playful way. Later in development, we added additional cultural references—mimes, pétanque—and even humorous French clichés, such as the classic beret and ‘marinière-baguette’ outfit, which delighted players internationally. We believe this ‘cultural uniqueness’ is a core strength of the game, helping it stand out globally.”
The game’s success has become a source of national pride in France, with political figures even citing it as a symbol of French creativity. This momentum builds on a broader “cultural exception” within the French video game industry, which helps local productions reach international audiences. Emma Delage shares this view: “France is a fertile ground for video game development. Our studio benefited from support from the CNC, regional backing from Occitanie, where we are based, and the video game industry tax credit. These resources allowed us to enhance the game’s quality, and we remain deeply grateful to our institutional partners.”
SANDFALL INTERACTIVE / KEPLER INTERACTIVE
“We didn’t specifically tailor it for French or American audiences. Our goal was simply to create a game that we felt proud of, that could evoke strong emotions”
Music as a Cultural Bridge
Another key factor in raising the game’s profile is its music, composed by French musician Lorien Testard. American players often describe Clair Obscur’s story and soundtrack as what first “hooked” them into the game, sometimes even before they purchased it. This powerful cultural contribution goes far beyond the game’s commercial success. “For our Creative Director, Guillaume Broche, narrative and music are essential pillars of any RPG: they drive immersion and emotional engagement,” notes Emma Delage. “These elements can even extend beyond the game itself, as seen in our ongoing concert series, currently touring Europe and soon expanding worldwide. When developing the game, we didn’t specifically tailor it for French or American audiences. Our goal was simply to create a game that we felt proud of, that could evoke strong emotions, and to share that experience with players around the globe.”
SANDFALL INTERACTIVE / KEPLER INTERACTIVE
What Comes Next?
Encouraged by its many awards, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will not remain “just” a video game. It is becoming a fully fledged brand, a franchise that can be expanded and exported worldwide. “Today, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a new IP that extends beyond video games. It encompasses concerts, and we have announced plans to expand the universe into other media. We are excited to collaborate with talent from around the world on these projects, and we are, of course, eager to explore further partnerships with American studios and creators to strengthen international collaboration.”
Catch a glimpse of the game. View the full trailer below.