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The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just an impressive Game of the Year contender, but also a massive sales triumph. Developer Sandfall Interactive along with publisher Kepler Interactive disclosed that this title exceeded 5 million units in sales, this is even with it being a launch-day addition on Xbox Game Pass.

This achievement came as an unexpected turn for the team. I was convinced that we would have a good game garnering reasonable sales results,” the COO and producer explained.

The CTO and lead programmer remarked this title's critical score, rated 93 by critics, came as the greatest surprise” to the team versus our early predictions and the final result of the field was. Because when it dropped all staff members were cheering loudly. The energy was electric.”

This triumph has led to Sandfall developing a free update for the game with a new environment, enemies, plus epic encounters, as announced is coming in the next few months.

Nevertheless, as the title expands, it's unlikely the studio to grow. “We have a great team under clear creative leadership possessing strong ideas for our work plus upcoming innovations. We'd like to keep the small-team dynamic that worked for this game and perhaps create major titles sequentially,” they said.

Their team size generated plenty of debate when the game came out. Certain industry figures, including renowned designers, looked at this studio as the “ideal” for creative teams. Although the team is and was truly compact versus large developers, one glance at the title's staff list indicates many individuals worked on it; the French studio hired a team in Korea handling movement and effects, to illustrate.

“Some hiring will occur slightly more certainly if we have an increase in development down the line,” they said. “But I would see more of a workshop comprising a handful really talented people capable of producing artistic collaborations.” He noted that the studio's philosophy as a studio “aims to keep the successful elements that enabled this success originally.”

While it may be too early for Sandfall to disclose concrete plans regarding upcoming titles — believe me, I tried to get them to — they are certain their essential identity. “The turn-based aspect, forms the foundation of our creations,” a developer explained. “It's still premature to specify what will interest us, but it's important also to adhere to the DNA of studio through compelling worlds and the interesting gameplay that inspires the team.”

The developer noted how this game began with their director “work[ing] on his dream game. It is hoped that philosophy will be repeated as well for future productions.”