In 2020, amidst a global pandemic, game developer Guillaume Broche found himself yearning for change. Working at Ubisoft, he decided to channel his boredom into a creative endeavor: a role-playing game inspired by the iconic Final Fantasy series. This dream materialized into Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which has since captured hearts worldwide. With one million copies sold in merely three days, its soundtrack topping Spotify's viral charts, and accolades from figures like French President Emmanuel Macron, the game is now iconic.
Set in the captivating fictional realm of Lumiere, the game intricately weaves a narrative centered around a monolith that drives the storyline. Each year, an enigmatic entity known as The Paintress reduces the numeral inscribed on the obelisk, leading to the vanishing of individuals of that age. Players embark on a profounds journey to confront this mysterious force. The game’s vintage aesthetic evokes 19th-century France, distinguished further by its classic turn-based combat system.
When Broche commenced his journey to assemble a team for his passion project, traditional wisdom suggested that gamers would shy away from such stylistic elements. Undeterred, he took to Reddit and online forums to connect with potential collaborators. Among the responses was Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, a voice actor in lockdown in Australia. "I saw Guillaume’s call for free demos and thought, why not?" recalls Jennifer, who eventually became the lead writer after starting as a voice actor for a character.
Leaving Ubisoft, Broche established Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France. Funding from Kepler Interactive enabled him to grow his team to around 30 members, many of whom were similarly recruited through social media platforms. Discovering talent in unexpected places became a hallmark of the project, with the composer Lorien Testard found via Soundcloud—his first foray into video games.
This recruitment method, coined the "Guillaume effect," is credited by Jennifer for enabling the team to build remarkable synergies among creative individuals. Broche attributes their success to a unique blend of circumstances, including the pandemic prompting talent to seek new outlets for creativity. With each outreach, he was amazed at how often potential collaborators responded with enthusiasm, shaping the project into something extraordinary.
Clair Obscur's production quality rivals larger studios, thanks to recent technological advancements simplifying game development. The support from Kepler attracted renowned talent, including actors like Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis. Despite some outside assistance, the core team embraced a multifaceted approach, each member contributing beyond their designated roles.
Jennifer emphasizes the collaborative spirit embodied by the young team, filled with passion and talent. "We each bring our strengths to the table," she says. "It’s been a wild journey, one that still feels surreal to reach this milestone." As the gaming community celebrates Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Broche reflects on his unconventional path with a sense of wonder. "Somehow, it all clicked together," he muses, a testament to creativity flourishing in unforeseen times.
Set in the captivating fictional realm of Lumiere, the game intricately weaves a narrative centered around a monolith that drives the storyline. Each year, an enigmatic entity known as The Paintress reduces the numeral inscribed on the obelisk, leading to the vanishing of individuals of that age. Players embark on a profounds journey to confront this mysterious force. The game’s vintage aesthetic evokes 19th-century France, distinguished further by its classic turn-based combat system.
When Broche commenced his journey to assemble a team for his passion project, traditional wisdom suggested that gamers would shy away from such stylistic elements. Undeterred, he took to Reddit and online forums to connect with potential collaborators. Among the responses was Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, a voice actor in lockdown in Australia. "I saw Guillaume’s call for free demos and thought, why not?" recalls Jennifer, who eventually became the lead writer after starting as a voice actor for a character.
Leaving Ubisoft, Broche established Sandfall Interactive in Montpellier, France. Funding from Kepler Interactive enabled him to grow his team to around 30 members, many of whom were similarly recruited through social media platforms. Discovering talent in unexpected places became a hallmark of the project, with the composer Lorien Testard found via Soundcloud—his first foray into video games.
This recruitment method, coined the "Guillaume effect," is credited by Jennifer for enabling the team to build remarkable synergies among creative individuals. Broche attributes their success to a unique blend of circumstances, including the pandemic prompting talent to seek new outlets for creativity. With each outreach, he was amazed at how often potential collaborators responded with enthusiasm, shaping the project into something extraordinary.
Clair Obscur's production quality rivals larger studios, thanks to recent technological advancements simplifying game development. The support from Kepler attracted renowned talent, including actors like Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis. Despite some outside assistance, the core team embraced a multifaceted approach, each member contributing beyond their designated roles.
Jennifer emphasizes the collaborative spirit embodied by the young team, filled with passion and talent. "We each bring our strengths to the table," she says. "It’s been a wild journey, one that still feels surreal to reach this milestone." As the gaming community celebrates Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Broche reflects on his unconventional path with a sense of wonder. "Somehow, it all clicked together," he muses, a testament to creativity flourishing in unforeseen times.
