Clair Obscur Developer Staying True to Creative Vision Despite Massive Success

Sandfall Interactive won’t let success change its approach. Despite Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 becoming one of 2025’s biggest hits with over 5 million sales and sweeping multiple award ceremonies, the French studio is committed to following its creative instincts rather than chasing fan expectations with its next game.

The Pressure of Success

Released in April 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 turned into a phenomenon that few could have predicted. The turn-based RPG’s stunning visuals, innovative combat system, and Belle Époque-inspired aesthetic captured players’ imaginations worldwide.

Expedition 33’s Achievements:

• 5 million copies sold in first six months
• Multiple award wins across various ceremonies
• Critical acclaim from players and press
• Cultural impact beyond typical RPG audiences
• One of 2025’s defining releases

This level of success naturally creates expectations for what comes next. In an interview with Edge magazine, Sandfall’s leadership addressed how they’re handling that pressure.

“Not So Important”: How Sandfall Views the Pressure

François Meurisse, Sandfall’s co-founder and chief operating officer, acknowledged the weight of expectations but downplayed their influence on the studio’s direction.

Meurisse’s Perspective:

“There is a bit of pressure” following Expedition 33’s success, but he called it “not so important” compared to staying true to the team’s creative process.

The studio’s approach:

• Taking time to explore ideas that genuinely excite the team
• Maintaining their development philosophy that made Expedition 33 successful
• Not rushing production to capitalize on momentum
• Building from a stronger starting line with more experience

This philosophy echoes what made the first game special—a small team passionate about creating something unique rather than following trends.

Following Your “North Star” in Game Development

Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, Expedition 33’s lead writer, provided deeper insight into Sandfall’s creative philosophy during the Edge interview.

The “North Star” Philosophy:

Svedberg-Yen emphasized that Sandfall will continue being guided by “our own personal taste,” calling it the developer’s “North Star.”

Key quote: “We need to trust our instincts and continue to trust the vision behind the studio.”

This commitment to creative vision isn’t just empty rhetoric. Svedberg-Yen admitted to being “a bit of a people pleaser,” acknowledging that following this advice won’t always be easy now that millions of fans have expectations.

The Danger of Pleasing Everyone

The lead writer drew on experience across multiple media:

• Books that lost their identity trying to appeal to everyone
• TV shows that compromised their original vision
• Other media that suffered from chasing trends

The lesson: Creative works that try to please everyone often end up pleasing no one. Maintaining a clear vision, even if it means disappointing some fans, ultimately creates better art.

What We Know About Sandfall’s Next Project

While details remain scarce, studio leadership has shared some intriguing hints about what’s coming next.

CEO Guillaume Broche’s Vision

Sandfall CEO Guillaume Broche recently stated the studio wants to make another “artsy” game, staying true to the aesthetic ambitions that defined Expedition 33.

Clair Obscur as a Franchise

Perhaps most interesting: Clair Obscur is planned as a franchise name, with Expedition 33 being just one story within that universe.

Broche’s explanation:

• “Clair Obscur” = franchise/universe name
• “Expedition 33” = one specific story within that universe
• Future games will explore different stories in the same world

Potential Anthology Structure

Based on available information, Clair Obscur could become an anthology series similar to Final Fantasy—one of its main inspirations.

What this might mean:

• Different protagonists and stories each game
• Shared universe and thematic elements
• Standalone experiences that don’t require playing previous entries
• Freedom to explore different time periods or regions

This approach would allow Sandfall to maintain creative freedom while building a recognizable brand.

Timeline: When Could We See Sandfall’s Next Game?

Don’t expect a quick turnaround. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 took five to six years to develop, and the studio shows no signs of rushing its follow-up.

Development Timeline Estimate:

Lead programmer Tom Guillermin (co-founder) stated in an August 2025 interview that Sandfall’s current team size is “just the right size” for making ambitious turn-based RPGs.

The studio isn’t planning to expand significantly despite financial security from Expedition 33’s success. This commitment to maintaining team size suggests:

• Similar development timeline – Another 5-6 years
• Preliminary work started – Likely in early pre-production
• Potential release window – Around 2030 or 2031
• Next console generation – Would release on PS6/Xbox equivalent

Why Not Expand the Team?

Sandfall’s decision to stay relatively small is deliberate:

• Maintains creative cohesion – Smaller teams communicate better
• Preserves studio culture – The approach that made Expedition 33 special
• Quality over quantity – Focus on one amazing game rather than multiple projects
• Sustainable growth – Avoiding the pitfalls of rapid expansion

This mirrors successful studios like FromSoftware and Supergiant Games, which have maintained relatively modest team sizes despite massive success.

The Free DLC: A Thank You to Fans

While planning its next project, Sandfall hasn’t forgotten current fans. In December 2025, the studio released a sizable free DLC for Expedition 33.

Verso’s Drafts DLC Content:

• New playable area – “Verso’s Drafts” with fresh environments
• Photo mode – Capture the game’s stunning visuals
• Additional costumes – More customization options
• New music – Expanding the already acclaimed soundtrack
• Challenging boss fights – Multiple exceedingly difficult encounters

This substantial update came at no cost to players, demonstrating Sandfall’s appreciation for the community that made their game successful.

Will There Be More Expedition 33 Content?

No official word on whether additional content is planned for Expedition 33. The studio may now fully focus on its next project, or could surprise fans with more updates.

Possible scenarios:

• Full focus on next game (more likely given development timelines)
• Occasional small updates or quality-of-life improvements
• Anniversary content if the game continues selling well
• Final expansion-style DLC before moving on completely

What Made Expedition 33 Special

To understand why Sandfall wants to maintain its approach, it’s worth examining what made the first game resonate so powerfully.

Unique Visual Identity

Belle Époque-inspired art direction set Expedition 33 apart from typical fantasy RPGs:

• Stunning character designs by Fumito Ueda (Ico, Shadow of the Colossus) influence
• Gorgeous environments blending 19th-century aesthetics with fantastical elements
• Unreal Engine 5 pushing visual boundaries
• Art direction prioritizing beauty and atmosphere

Innovative Turn-Based Combat

Real-time elements within turn-based framework:

• Active Time Maneuvers requiring timing and positioning
• Parries, dodges, and counters keeping players engaged
• Strategic depth beyond menu selection
• Making turn-based combat feel dynamic and modern

Mature Storytelling

Complex narrative themes exploring:

• Mortality and the value of life
• Sacrifice and what we’re willing to give up
• Coming-of-age within apocalyptic circumstances
• Philosophical questions about fate and choice

These elements combined to create something that felt both familiar and fresh—exactly what happens when developers follow their vision rather than market research.

Related gaming and entertainment:

• Battle anime fans: Solo Leveling emerging as Dragon Ball’s spiritual successor
• MMO updates: Final Fantasy 14 planning more character customization for 2026
• Manga news: One Piece reclaims crown as Japan’s best-selling manga of 2025
• Creative gaming: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Flying Dutchman pirate ship build

Lessons from Sandfall’s Success

Sandfall Interactive’s journey offers valuable lessons for the gaming industry:

Trust the Vision

• Artistic integrity often resonates more than focus-tested design
• Niche appeal can become mainstream success if executed well
• Taking risks on unique aesthetics pays off when done confidently

Team Size Matters

• Bigger isn’t always better for creative projects
• Cohesive small teams can punch above their weight
• Sustainable growth prevents dilution of studio culture

Time Over Speed

• Quality takes time – rushing rarely improves creative work
• Patient development allows ideas to mature properly
• Long-term thinking builds sustainable franchises

The Risk of Success

While Sandfall’s commitment to its vision is admirable, the studio faces real challenges:

Balancing Expectations vs. Vision

• Fans want “more of the same” but also “something new”
• Commercial pressure to capitalize on success quickly
• Industry expectations for larger, more ambitious sequels
• Personal pressure from wanting to satisfy supporters

The Sequel Dilemma

Second games in successful franchises often struggle:

• Impossible expectations – “lightning in a bottle” is hard to repeat
• Feature creep – temptation to add everything fans request
• Lost identity – trying to appeal to broader audiences
• Development hell – overthinking every decision

Svedberg-Yen’s “people pleaser” admission suggests the team is aware of these pitfalls and actively working to avoid them.

What Fans Should Expect

Based on everything Sandfall has shared, here’s what seems likely for the studio’s next project:

Confirmed or Likely:

• Another “artsy” game with strong aesthetic identity
• Set in Clair Obscur universe but telling a different story
• Turn-based RPG gameplay – the studio’s specialty
• 5-6 year development cycle – no rushing
• Similar team size – maintaining creative cohesion
• Release around 2030-2031 – next console generation

Unknown Variables:

• Direct sequel vs. anthology approach
• Gameplay evolution vs. refinement
• Narrative connections to Expedition 33
• Platform exclusivity or multi-platform release
• Whether “Expedition” naming continues

The Bottom Line: A Refreshing Approach

In an industry increasingly driven by live service models, battle passes, and chasing trends, Sandfall Interactive’s commitment to creative vision is genuinely refreshing.

The studio’s philosophy:

• Make games that excite the team personally
• Trust instincts over market research
• Maintain sustainable team size and culture
• Take the time needed to realize the vision
• Stay true to artistic identity

Whether this approach continues to yield commercial and critical success remains to be seen. But after Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 proved that a small French studio with a unique vision could compete with industry giants, there’s every reason to believe Sandfall knows what it’s doing.

For fans, the wait until 2030-2031 will be long. But if the result is another game with Expedition 33’s level of craft, artistry, and innovation, it’ll be worth it.

Bottom line: Sandfall Interactive won’t chase fan expectations with its next game despite Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 selling over 5 million copies. The studio plans to follow its creative instincts, maintain its team size, and take 5-6 years to develop its next title in the Clair Obscur universe. With preliminary work already started and a potential 2030-2031 release window, fans have a long wait ahead—but the developers’ commitment to artistic vision over commercial pressure suggests it’ll be worth it.