Key Takeaways
Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark
- Sandfall Interactive prefers to maintain a small, highly skilled team despite their success with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
- The studios approach includes entrusting responsibilities to young and talented individuals, even in full-priced RPG development.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 sold an impressive 3.3 million copies within 33 days of release.
- Sandfall Interactive plans to continue developing full-priced, turn-based RPGs with their compact team structure in the future.
Sandfall Interactive Embraces Small Team Approach Despite ‘Clair Obscur’ Success
Despite the immense success of its debut title, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive has no immediate plans for significant expansion. While becoming an AAA studio with a large employee base might appear to be an obvious path after their first game’s recognition, Tom Guillermin, the studio’s Director of Technology and lead programmer, holds a different view. “I reckon I prefer working with a small team,” Guillermin stated. He noted that while he is unsure of the ideal team size, their current configuration feels appropriate for creating a full-priced, turn-based RPG. Guillaume Broche, Sandfall Interactive’s CEO and Creative Director, further elaborated on the team’s effectiveness, noting that despite its compact size, its members are highly skilled, which often leads to impressive outcomes. He detailed the game’s development team composition: five individuals worked on environments, two on the story, and between three to six focused on cinematics. Four individuals handled music composition.
Sandfall Interactive’s Success Amidst Embracing Young Talent in Full-Priced RPG Development
Broche also highlighted the studio’s strategy of entrusting responsibilities to young talent. For Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for example, the visual effects artist and character designer were recent graduates, securing their first professional roles at Sandfall Interactive. Their initial lack of extensive prior professional experience proved advantageous, enabling them to adapt easily to the studio’s unique workflow. The game itself achieved astounding sales, moving 3.3 million copies in just 33 days. This rapid success came as a surprise even to the studio, particularly following its announcement of partial sales figures in May. Despite this achievement, Sandfall Interactive maintains its preference for a compact, highly skilled team as it looks toward developing future full-priced, turn-based RPGs.
In Case You Missed It
If you’re a fan of thought-provoking narratives in gaming, make sure to check out “The First Hours of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach are a Delight” by Marcus Thompson (published on July 8, 2025). In this insightful piece, Pedro Zambarda and Ana Lesnovski explore the intriguing direction Hideo Kojima has taken with his latest installment. With Sam Porter Bridges now navigating a more action-oriented landscape, the early game hours are described as both captivating and delightful. Head over to The First Hours of Death Stranding 2: On The Beach are a Delight for a deeper dive into this thrilling new chapter in the Death Stranding saga! For those interested in the evolving landscape of turn-based and real-time combat systems in video games, be sure to check out Sophie Laurent’s latest piece titled “Creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Visited Square Enix,” published on July 26, 2025. The article delves into a significant meeting between the creators of Clair Obscur and the Final Fantasy team at Square Enix headquarters, discussing creative visions and the resurgence of turn-based combat in the beloved series. With over 3.3 million copies sold, Clair Obscur’s unique blend of both styles has caught the eye of industry giants, sparking intriguing conversations about future developments Creators of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Visited Square Enix. If you’re a fan of stunning soundtracks and captivating video games, be sure to check out “Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Makes the Announcement Fans Have Been Waiting For, Set to Be a Hit” by Marcus Thompson (July 25, 2025). This post dives into the eagerly anticipated physical release of Clair Obscur Expedition 33’s acclaimed soundtrack, offering various formats for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re looking to add an 8 CD set or a collector’s vinyl edition to your collection, there’s something here for every fan. Head over to Clair Obscur Expedition 33 Makes the Announcement Fans Have Been Waiting For, Set to Be a Hit to learn more about these beautiful additions to the game’s legacy.