The creative mind behind Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has confirmed that the game will not be the final entry in the series, while also opening up about cut content, pricing decisions, and the role Xbox Game Pass played in the title’s success. In a recent interview with MrMattyPlays, Sandfall Interactive director Guillaume Broche shed light on the studio’s future and the challenges of balancing creative vision with market expectations.
When asked whether the acclaimed role-playing game would evolve into a series, Broche explained that the broader franchise is already envisioned. “Clair Obscur is a franchise name. Expedition 33 is one of the stories that we want to tell in this franchise,” he said, stressing that although it is too early to confirm exact details, the team is not finished exploring the universe.
The director also addressed how content was managed during development, admitting that not every dungeon made it into the final product. “Actually we had a few more like dungeons in the game but they were just boring so we just remove them,” Broche revealed, clarifying that the decision was not about length but about maintaining quality. The team favored meaningful encounters and storytelling rather than padding the runtime, aligning with Broche’s philosophy that “bigger is not necessarily better.”
Pricing was another topic of discussion, as Expedition 33 launched at 50 dollars, surprising many who expected a standard premium price tag. Broche explained that the decision came down to the project’s modest budget and the identity of the studio. “It just felt wrong for us [to price higher] because that’s not also what kind of studio we are and I feel like the price reflects also like the kind of studio that we are,” he said. While some players initially assumed the lower cost suggested a shorter or lesser experience, the overwhelmingly positive reception dispelled that perception.
Game Pass also played a crucial role in the game’s trajectory, giving it immediate visibility and access to a wide audience. Broche emphasized that the service was particularly effective for a new intellectual property. “For me the biggest draw of Game Pass except for like the money that we got up front is also the visibility like we are a new IP nobody knew us so it’s just like trying to put the games in front of as many eyes as possible,” he noted. According to Broche, many players who tried the game on Game Pass went on to purchase it outright, further boosting sales and solidifying its reputation.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in April 2025 to widespread acclaim, blending turn-based combat with real-time mechanics in a dark Belle Époque fantasy setting. Selling over 3.3 million copies within its first 33 days, the game became a breakout success and demonstrated how a smaller studio could deliver a project capable of standing alongside AAA productions.
While details about the next installment remain closely guarded, Broche’s comments suggest that Clair Obscur is poised to continue as a franchise. For now, fans can rest assured that Expedition 33 is only the beginning of Sandfall Interactive’s ambitious vision.
