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The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just an impressive Game of the Year candidate, but also an enormous sales triumph. Developer Sandfall Interactive along with publisher Kepler Interactive announced that this title topped 5 million units in sales, and that’s in spite of its status as a launch-day addition on Xbox Game Pass.

Its success came as quite an unexpected turn to Sandfall. I firmly believed that we would have an enjoyable experience garnering reasonable commercial success,” a key executive explained.

Another leading developer pointed out this title's critical score, rated 93 by critics, was the greatest surprise” for everyone versus our early predictions and the actual outcome turned out to be. Because when it dropped everybody in the studio celebrated excitedly. The energy was electric.”

That success prompted the studio creating a free update for the game with a new environment, adversaries, along with challenging bosses, reportedly is coming in the next few months.

However, as the title expands, don’t expect the studio to grow. Our team includes a talented crew guided by a visionary director with a clear direction for the project plus upcoming innovations. Our goal is to maintain the close-knit size that made this possible then develop one big game after another,” they added.

The studio's scale sparked significant conversation upon the title's release. Certain industry figures, such as the famed director, viewed the development group as a perfect example for creative teams. Although the team is and was relatively lean next to major studios, checking the game's credits shows that numerous contributors participated; Sandfall partnered with overseas animators for animation work, for example.

“Some hiring will occur slightly more for sure should there be a future production surge in the coming years,” the executive said. “But I would see more of a workshop of a few exceptionally gifted creators that can make collective masterpieces.” He noted that the studio's philosophy as a studio “is more to maintain the strengths that enabled this success originally.”

Despite being not the right time to disclose concrete plans about future projects — rest assured, I attempted to learn more — they are certain what’s at its core. “The turn-based aspect, is integral to our identity of our creations,” they explained. “The timing isn't right to be able to tell future passions, however, it's crucial to adhere to our studio's essence through compelling worlds and engaging mechanics that excites us.”

The lead programmer mentioned how this game originated from their director developing his passion title. It is hoped this approach we will be able to do in coming projects.”