Ubisoft Veteran's New Game Aims for 2025 GotY

The creative director behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 found himself looking for a new challenge, ultimately creating what would become the top-rated game of 2025. Discover the inspiring story of the developers' motivation and the founding of Sandfall Interactive.

How Boredom Sparked the Creation of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Pursuing a Fresh Creative Vision

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly established itself as an instant classic, earning the highest ratings of any 2025 release and selling over one million copies within three days. Remarkably, this game-of-the-year contender originated from a place of creative restlessness and a simple desire to try something new.

On May 4, BBC News interviewed the developers at Sandfall Interactive to uncover the project's origins. Director Guillaume Broche explained that the initial idea emerged to combat his sense of professional monotony. While employed at Ubisoft during the 2020 pandemic lockdowns, he felt a growing creative urge and began developing a concept for a game.

Broche had been a longtime fan of the Final Fantasy JRPG series since his youth, and he hoped to craft a similar experience. This ambition led him to pursue his dream, starting with a search for collaborators on Reddit.

An Unexpected Team Assembles

To bring his vision to life, Broche began reaching out to potential contributors through Reddit and various online forums. At that time, the concept for Expedition 33—a turn-based RPG inspired by the Belle Époque era—didn't immediately capture widespread attention. Nevertheless, Broche remained committed to his passion project and continued searching for the right people.

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, then under lockdown in Australia, was among those who responded. She came across a Reddit post from Broche seeking voice actors and decided to audition. "I thought, 'I've never done that before, but it sounds interesting,' so I sent him an audition," recalled Svedberg-Yen. Initially cast for a major character, she later became the lead writer for Expedition 33.

Broche eventually left his position at Ubisoft to focus entirely on Expedition 33, officially founding Sandfall Interactive. After securing funding from publisher Kepler Interactive, the core team expanded to approximately 30 members. Many were discovered through unconventional channels, including composer Lorien Testard, who connected with the team via Soundcloud posts.

With Kepler Interactive's backing, the studio recruited acclaimed actors including Charlie Cox (Daredevil), Ben Starr (Final Fantasy XVI), Jennifer English (Baldur’s Gate 3), Andy Serkis (The Lord of the Rings), and others.

As the team expanded, Broche and Svedberg-Yen noted they often "wore many different hats" throughout the game's development. Core members frequently took on responsibilities beyond their official roles; Svedberg-Yen, for instance, also managed translations into multiple languages. Broche praised the team, saying, "We have an incredible group, mostly junior developers, but they're remarkably dedicated and talented."

The origin story of Expedition 33 feels almost as magical as the game itself. With a mix of creative frustration and fortunate encounters, Sandfall Interactive crafted a generational title that will be enjoyed for years to come. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is now available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates on the game, check out our article below!