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The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is not only a top GOTY candidate, but also an enormous commercial success. Developer the development team along with publisher their publishing partner revealed that this title topped 5 million units in sales, this is in spite of its status as a launch-day addition through the Game Pass service.

This achievement was a surprise for the team. I was convinced that we'd create an enjoyable experience garnering reasonable sales results,” the COO and producer explained.

Another leading developer pointed out the game's Metacritic rating, which currently sits at 93, was the most surprising moment for everyone compared to what we anticipated and the actual outcome of the field was. When the score released the entire team were cheering loudly. It was really frantic.”

The positive reception prompted the studio creating a free update for the title with a new environment, enemies, along with challenging bosses, which they said would be out sometime soon.

Nevertheless, despite the game's evolution, fans shouldn't anticipate the team will expand. Our team includes an excellent group under clear creative leadership possessing strong ideas for the project plus upcoming innovations. We'd like to keep the small-team dynamic that led to our success then develop large projects one by one,” the executive noted.

Their team size drummed up plenty of debate upon the title's release. Certain industry figures, including renowned designers, viewed this studio as the model for game development. Despite being indeed a small team next to major studios, a quick look at the title's staff list reveals many individuals worked on it; Sandfall contracted a Korean team for animation work, for example.

“We will hire a bit more certainly should there be next an upcoming production peak in the coming years,” the producer stated. “Yet I picture more of a workshop with a small number of exceptionally gifted creators capable of producing collective masterpieces.” They emphasized that the studio's philosophy as a company “focuses on preserving the key advantages that led to this accomplishment originally.”

Although it's premature for the studio to reveal exact details about future projects — believe me, I tried to get them to — they are certain what’s at its core. “Turn-based gameplay, I think it's in the DNA of our creations,” a developer said. “The timing isn't right to specify what will interest us, but it's important also to adhere to the DNA of studio with [a] strong narrative universe plus innovative play that inspires the team.”

The developer mentioned how this game started with their director developing his passion title. And hopefully that philosophy we will be able to do as well for future productions.”