From Passion Project to Phenomenon

In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, when countless people were feeling the weight of monotony, one man’s creative spark ignited a gaming revolution. Enter Guillaume Broche, then a Ubisoft employee in France, who dared to dream of something extraordinary—a role-playing game reminiscent of his beloved Final Fantasy series.

The Birth of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Fast forward five years, and that dream materialized into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that took the world by storm. Within just three days of its release, it hit a staggering one million copies sold and topped Spotify’s viral music charts with its enchanting soundtrack. The game even caught the attention of French President Emmanuel Macron, who praised its innovative approach.

A Unique Development Journey

The making of Expedition 33 is a remarkable story of serendipity and determination, marked by casual Reddit exchanges and a dash of luck. Set in the mystical world of Lumiere, featuring a towering monolith and an enigmatic entity called The Paintress, the game invites players on a gripping quest to confront this mysterious force.

Against the Odds: Recruiting Talent

When Broche first began recruiting for his project, conventional wisdom warned that players were drifting away from turn-based games and 19th-century-inspired aesthetics. Undeterred, he reached out online, attracting talent from unexpected places. Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who stumbled upon his call while locked down in Australia, initially auditioned as a voice actor but soon took on the mantle of lead writer.

The Team Behind the Magic

Broche transitioned away from Ubisoft, founding Sandfall Interactive to bring Clair Obscur to life. Supported by Kepler Interactive, the team swelled to around 30 passionate contributors, many discovered through unconventional channels like Soundcloud. Broche's knack for finding talent sparkled, creating what his team affectionately dubbed the "Guillaume effect." "He has a gift for locating extraordinary individuals who align creatively with the project, which has been pivotal to our success," says Jennifer.

Revolutionizing Game Development

Notably, Clair Obscur pushed boundaries in terms of production quality, rivaling blockbuster titles created by teams of hundreds. With advanced gaming tools and Kepler's backing, Sandfall attracted powerhouse talents like Charlie Cox from Daredevil and Andy Serkis, lifting the game to new heights. But the heart of the project lay within a small, agile team willing to wear multiple hats, from voice acting to localization.

An Unlikely Success Story

Reflecting on this incredible journey, Broche admits it still seems surreal. "Every time I contact someone, I'm prepared for a 'no', but it’s like every first contact ends up being an enthusiastic 'yes'," he shares, marveling at how a small group of mainly junior talent transformed a vision into a sensational reality.

With this dynamic blend of passion, luck, and collaboration, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stands as a testament to how creativity can emerge from even the most challenging circumstances, setting the stage for a gaming legacy that’s only just begun.