Against all industry expectations, Sandfall Interactive is taking an unconventional approach to their breakout hit’s success. Despite Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 selling 3.3 million copies in just 33 days, the studio isn’t rushing into massive expansion plans. Instead, they’re doubling down on the small-team philosophy that created one of 2025’s biggest gaming surprises.
Table of Contents
Clair Obscur Numbers That Shocked the Industry
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has made waves this year with unprecedented success for a AA turn-based RPG. The game crossed over one million units sold in just three days, then hit a staggering 3.3 million copies in 33 days—launching day one on Xbox Game Pass nonetheless!
| Milestone | Timeline | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| First Million | 3 Days | Fastest AA RPG to reach 1M |
| 3.3 Million | 33 Days | Record-breaking for turn-based RPG |
| Launch Competition | Same Week | Competed directly with Oblivion Remastered |
| Game Pass Impact | Day One | Full-price sales despite free availability |
| Studio Size | Small Team | AA development with AAA results |
Why Sandfall Interactive Isn’t Scaling Up
Most development teams would look at these sales numbers and immediately think about scaling up. However, in a recent interview with Automaton, Sandfall’s lead programmer, Tom Guillermin, made it clear they’re not looking to expand just yet:
“I think it’s better to have a [small team] for now… The ideal size of the team is… I don’t know but if I’m going to make a full-price turn-based RPG again, [the current team size] is just as good as it is now.”
This philosophy challenges the typical industry approach where success equals expansion. For fans hoping for a jump to AAA-scale development, this might come as a surprise. That said, it also shows how grounded the studio remains, even in the middle of major success.
The Unreal Engine 5 Advantage
Creative Director Guillaume Broche has shared crucial insight into why small studios can now compete with industry giants. He pointed out how Unreal Engine 5 has shifted what’s possible for smaller teams, helping developers make polished, standout titles without requiring massive resources.
That’s exactly how Sandfall was able to create Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as a visually strong, well-designed RPG, without a bloated team or a AAA budget. Launching in a week where it directly competed with Bethesda’s surprise remaster, and still making a mark, was no small feat.
Current Development Focus
No DLC Expansion Plans Announced
As for what’s next, no DLC expansion plans for Expedition 33 have been announced, and there are no major expansion plans in terms of studio size. Right now, Sandfall seems fully focused on polishing the game and making sure it stays true to its original vision.
Quality Over Quantity Philosophy
Instead of expanding rapidly, Sandfall Interactive is maintaining the controlled approach that made their debut title successful. This strategy ensures they don’t lose the creative identity and efficient development process that set them apart.
For comprehensive coverage of indie gaming success stories and development insights, check out our game development section where we analyze industry trends and studio strategies.
The Game Pass Success Story
The fact that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched day one on Xbox Game Pass makes its full-price sales numbers even more impressive. Many players expected it to get buried, but it ended up thriving through word-of-mouth marketing and genuine quality.
This success demonstrates that great games can find their audience regardless of distribution strategy, especially when they offer something unique in the market.
What This Means for the Gaming Industry
Sandfall’s approach represents a growing trend where smaller studios leverage modern development tools to create AAA-quality experiences without traditional AAA budgets or team sizes. This model could reshape how we think about game development scalability.
Whatever they do next, the developers have already proven that quality can shine through without needing to go massive. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will likely stay on people’s radars for a while, not just for its gameplay, but for how it changed expectations of what a small studio can achieve.
For official updates about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Sandfall Interactive’s future projects, visit Epic Games Store where the game is prominently featured.
Looking Forward
While expansion plans remain modest, the studio’s success opens doors for future projects that maintain their current quality standards. The focus appears to be on sustainable growth rather than rapid scaling.
Stay updated on indie gaming success stories and development insights at Technosports, your source for gaming industry analysis and trends.
Discover more indie gaming insights and development stories at Technosports – your go-to source for gaming industry analysis!
FAQs
Q: Is Sandfall Interactive planning to expand their team after Clair Obscur’s success?
A: No, Sandfall Interactive is intentionally keeping their small team size. Lead programmer Tom Guillermin stated that their current team size is ideal for creating full-price turn-based RPGs, and they believe maintaining a small team is better for now.
Q: Will there be DLC or expansion content for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33?
A: No DLC expansion plans have been announced for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The studio is currently focused on polishing the base game and maintaining its original vision rather than developing additional content or expanding their development scope.
