Sandfall Interactive has addressed several key topics surrounding Clair Obscur Expedition 33, offering clarification on post-launch content, difficulty design, generative AI use, and the studio’s long-term direction. The details were shared during a private creator Q and A session hosted by publisher Kepler Interactive (via YouTuber Sushi), featuring Sandfall Interactive founder Guillaume Broche and art director Nicholas Maxson-Francombe. The discussion focused on questions that have emerged since the game launch, particularly following the release of the free DLC update.
According to Sandfall Interactive, the free DLC expansion was conceived as both a creative outlet and a way to acknowledge player support. Francomb explained the original concept behind the content, stating, “I think from the first brief that I could remember was it was supposed to be Verso’s childhood. It should be childish, colorful, kind of crazy. We could really explore areas that could be colorful and different to every other area in the game. It’s very saturated, playful, and full of childish puzzles.” Broche added that the DLC grew from ideas that could not be accommodated in the main game, saying, “Really, it was a way to celebrate the fans and the game and Verso’s childhood. Verso’s drafts was one of the ideas we couldn’t incorporate in the main game. So, this was an opportunity for us to explore deeper into Verso’s childhood.” Francomb also noted that the update allowed the team to further develop characters who had limited exposure in the base release, particularly François.
The session also addressed the game’s most demanding optional content. Broche acknowledged player feedback regarding extreme difficulty and confirmed that the hardest boss was adjusted in a recent hot fix. He explained the design intent behind these encounters, stating, “We nerfed the hardest boss in the 1.5.1 hot fix, but we wanted to make it a range of difficulties for players to feel all the emotions of life, including anger. When you reach the max level and max gear, Simon becomes too easy. So, we wanted a really, really hard boss for the players who have played way too much to chew on for a while. It’s content for some players, but not all.”
On the subject of generative AI, Broche offered a direct response. He stated, “Yeah, we’re aware of what’s been going on with that, but I can say everything in the game is human made.” He went on to explain that early experimentation with AI tools was abandoned, adding, “We tried it and we didn’t like it at all. It just felt wrong.” Broche emphasized that all final assets, including concept art and performances, were created by human contributors.
When discussing future plans, Sandfall Interactive avoided outlining specific projects. Broche stated, “Not much we can share, but we don’t want to grow too big. We are happy with where we are.” He added that the studio intends to continue focusing on art, characters, and storytelling, without announcing any new titles or expansions at this time.
Clair Obscur Expedition 33 launched on April 24, 2025, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with availability on Xbox Game Pass at launch.
