French President Emmanuel Macron celebrates Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s massive success, hailing it as a bold step forward for France’s game industry and global creativity.
French President Emmanuel Macron just gave a major shoutout to Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, calling its launch a big win for France’s growing video game industry. Developed by Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, this is the studio’s first project—and it’s already making waves for its turn-based combat and stunning, artistic visuals.
The game was first revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2024, and it instantly turned heads. By January 2025, the hype had exploded even more after the Collector’s Edition sold out just a week after it was announced. When Expedition 33 officially dropped on April 24 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S, it didn’t slow down—hitting over 120,000 concurrent players on Steam and racking up one million copies sold in just three days. Within five days, physical editions were selling out in stores, and Sandfall had to rush with distributors to meet the massive demand.
Even outside the gaming world, the buzz was loud enough to catch President Macron’s attention. He posted on Instagram to applaud the game and its creators, calling Expedition 33 a “shining example of French audacity and creativity.” He pointed out the game’s fast success—“a million copies” sold—and even went as far as calling it “one of the best-rated games in history.” His message, originally in French and run through Google Translate, made it clear he sees the game as a cultural win, not just a commercial one.
Macron’s post lit up social media, with fans and industry folks praising the rare moment of presidential gamer love. Many called it “influencer marketing you can’t buy,” while others appreciated his support for creative industries. Even Baldur’s Gate 3 publishing director Michael Douse chimed in, giving props to Expedition 33 and encouraging folks to check out its cast and story.
Meanwhile, the team at Sandfall isn’t slowing down. They’ve already rolled out patch 1.2.2 to squash bugs like inventory issues and soft locks. And they’re not done yet—one of the game’s writers hinted that DLC might be on the horizon. With its early success and steady updates, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn’t just riding a hype wave—it’s setting the bar high for what turn-based RPGs can be.
Also Read: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Shines Despite Oblivion Remastered’s Surprise Drop
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