tech
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
What started as Guillaume Broche’s personal project has been nominated for 12 Game awards, sold more than 2m copies and been praised by Emmanuel Macron as a ‘shining example of French audacity’

TL;DR
- Guillaume Broche's personal project, "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33," was nominated for 12 Game awards.
- The game has sold over 2 million copies and is described as a narrative-driven roleplaying game with a unique world, challenging combat, and great writing.
- The team at Sandfall Interactive, including programmer Tom Guillermin, producer Francoise Meurisse, composer Lorien Testard, writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, and art director Nicholas Maxson-Francombe, was assembled through personal connections and social media.
- The game features a distinct Belle Époque setting and authentic French cultural elements, including language and aesthetic choices.
- The narrative is deeply personal, with the lead writer drawing inspiration from her own life experiences and family conversations.
- The development team utilized technologies like Unreal Engine 4 and 5, and despite industry concerns about AI, they remain focused on creative expression.
- The game has received praise from French President Emmanuel Macron as a "shining example of French audacity."
- Players have shared heartfelt messages about how the game has helped them cope with loss and grief, while creatives have been inspired to pursue their own artistic endeavors.