Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in April 2025 and quickly became one of the year’s biggest surprise hits. In addition to selling millions of copies, both the studio and the game are already receiving numerous awards for this fresh take on the turn-based RPG genre.
The title was also available on Xbox Game Pass from day one, allowing subscribers to start playing at the same time as those who purchased it at full price. According to the creator behind the project, this strategy was a major benefit for the game.
Xbox Game Pass and Lowering the Barrier of Entry
Speaking to Xbox Wire, Sandfall Interactive creative director Guillaume Broche explained that the studio’s partnership with Xbox helped the game reach players who might not usually be interested in turn-based RPGs.
“The turn-based RPG genre has a lot of fans, but sometimes it might discourage people who prefer more real-time action games. Game Pass lowered that barrier of entry,” said Broche. “They could just try it and see how it feels. So a lot of curious players could start the game, explore Lumière and the early game, and realize there’s a lot to enjoy here, even if they weren’t expecting it at first.”
Support from Microsoft and ID@Xbox
Broche also noted that Microsoft’s backing through its ID@Xbox program, including the opportunity to showcase the game across multiple events, played a key role in helping Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 reach a wide audience and “get the word out there and reach a lot of players.”
Record-Breaking Performance on Game Pass
The game is setting new records on Xbox Game Pass as well. Microsoft announced that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is the biggest new third-party game launch on Xbox Game Pass in 2025, based on the number of unique players within the first 30 days. This means Sandfall Interactive’s debut title has even surpassed the heavily anticipated launch of Hollow Knight: Silksong, which was also a day-one release on Game Pass.
“This year has gone so far beyond what any of us could have imagined, and it’s thanks to how passionate and supportive our fans have been in making that a reality,” Broche added. “It’s really nerve-racking to be a new studio releasing our first game, but everyone’s support has made everything feel like a dream.”
Award Nominations and Future Recognition
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is also set to have a major presence at The Game Awards 2025. It has already broken the record for the most nominations across the show’s award categories, further cementing its status as one of the standout releases of the year.
