The Daily Populous Wednesday May 7th, 2025 morning edition
Authored by ign.com and submitted by IcePopsicleDragon

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has now sold an impressive 2 million copies after 12 days on sale. That’s up from the 1 million sold three days after launch.

It’s worth remembering that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was, alongside Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered, a day-one Game Pass title. That makes this sales milestone all the more impressive for French developer Sandfall Interactive and publisher Kepler Interactive.

“We’ve watched in awe as so many of you began your journey,” reads a post on social media. “Feeling every step, every emotion, every revelation alongside you.

“To those just joining us: welcome.

When Bethesda shadow-dropped The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered amid the launch of fellow role-playing game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, most thought there could be only one winner. However, it turned out that there was plenty of room for both games to succeed.

Indeed, according to Kepler, not only did Oblivion not harm Clair Obscur, Clair Obscur actually benefitted from Oblivion’s release because it boosted excitement for the RPG genre.

Kepler Interactive’s senior portfolio manager Matt Handrahan told The Game Business last week: “We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity. When I was in the press, I saw the Western-style RPG and the Japanese-style RPG as having quite different appeals and audiences. I knew plenty of people that would play an Elder Scrolls game that wouldn't necessarily play Final Fantasy and vice versa.

“Also, by the time that we rolled around, we had momentum of our own and we felt pretty confident that we could stand beside it. I think there were other aspects, like the price point we were at and the inclusion in Game Pass… so we knew we would have a lot of interest around the game. We were confident in that. And it went as well as it possibly could have done in our eyes. And, actually, proximity to Oblivion didn't seem to harm us at all. In many ways, I think it just drew attention to quality RPGs that week and everybody was thinking and talking about the genre.”

Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has done so well that French President Macron has praised the development team . Be sure to check out our tips for the important things to know before heading into the game.

Did You Play The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, or Both? The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Both Answer See Results

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.

beatsy_ray on May 7th, 2025 at 02:41 UTC »

Best turn based combat, hands down.

MachFiveFalcon on May 6th, 2025 at 13:43 UTC »

I can't wait to try this game! The trailer got me excited like when Final Fantasy XIII released in 2010. Sandfall Interactive definitely found an untapped niche. I still can't believe it doesn't have a AAA budget. Love the heavy French influences as well.

I hope Sakaguchi's Mistwalker Corporation (and even Square Enix) are emboldened by this success to make more turn-based RPGs like they have in the past.