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The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just a top Game of the Year candidate, it’s also a huge financial hit. Studio Sandfall Interactive and publisher their publishing partner revealed that the game exceeded five million copies sold, and that’s despite its status as a day-one release through the Game Pass service.

The game's performance came as an unexpected turn for the team. I was convinced that we would have a good game achieving reasonable commercial success,” the COO and producer explained.

The CTO and lead programmer noted that Clair Obscur’s critical score, which currently sits at 93, came as the greatest surprise” to the team relative to “our initial expectations and the final result proved to be. When the score released everybody in the studio were cheering loudly. It felt absolutely wild.”

The positive reception prompted work on a free update for players including novel settings, adversaries, and boss fights, which they said will release sometime soon.

However, despite the game's evolution, fans shouldn't anticipate the studio to grow. “We have a talented crew guided by a visionary director who has a great vision for our work plus upcoming innovations. Our goal is to maintain the small-team dynamic that worked for this game and perhaps create one big game after another,” they added.

Their team size generated a storm of discussion upon the title's release. Some developers, such as the famed director, looked at the development group as a perfect example for creative teams. Although the team is and was relatively lean compared to its AAA counterparts, one glance at the title's staff list shows that dozens of people were involved; Sandfall partnered with overseas animators for animation work, to illustrate.

“Some hiring will occur slightly more certainly should there be a future production surge down the line,” the producer commented. “Yet I picture essentially a craft studio comprising a handful exceptionally gifted creators that create artistic collaborations.” They emphasized that the studio's philosophy as developers “focuses on preserving the successful elements that enabled this success in the first place.”

While it may be too early for Sandfall to say specifically about future projects — believe me, I attempted to learn more — they are certain their fundamental principles. “The turn-based aspect, I think it's in the DNA of what we built,” they explained. “It's a bit too early to specify our next interests, but it's important also to stay true to our studio's essence featuring rich storytelling plus innovative play that inspires the team.”

They mentioned that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 originated from their director developing his passion title. We aspire this approach we will be able to do with upcoming games.”