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| Characters in Expedition 33. |
The indie gaming world witnessed a meteorite impact in 2025 with the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The debut title from French studio Sandfall Interactive wasn’t just a success; it was a phenomenon. Garnering critical acclaim and player adoration in equal measure, the game’s poignant storytelling, stunning painterly art direction, and innovative turn-based combat catapulted it onto numerous Game of the Year lists. For a first-time studio, the triumph was staggering, setting a dauntingly high bar for what comes next.
In the wake of such a breakout hit, the predictable narrative writes itself: a young studio buckles under the weight of expectation, scrambling to meet fan demands and replicate its success. But in a refreshing twist, Sandfall Interactive is calmly rewriting that script. Instead of bowing to external pressure, the team is doubling down on the very instinct and vision that made Expedition 33 special in the first place.
A Studio Unshaken by the Spotlight
The topic of "what’s next" is unavoidable, and the team is well aware of the eager eyes upon them. In a candid and wide-ranging discussion featured in Edge Magazine (Issue 419), the studio’s leadership addressed the elephant in the room head-on. Francois Meurisse, Chief Operating Officer and Production Director, acknowledged the presence of pressure but was quick to put it in perspective.
"While we do feel some pressure from fans and critics," Meurisse stated, "it is not so important for us." This isn’t a dismissal of their community, but a conscious prioritization of creative integrity. He emphasized that the team is taking its time, fueled by a reservoir of new ideas and, crucially, half a decade of accumulated experience since starting their first journey.
"We'll have time to get really focused on the next game," Meurisse told Edge. "We have some great ideas we're so excited to explore, and we don't start from the same point. The team already has five more years of experience. So maybe we can do some great stuff."
Letting Instinct Lead, Not Just Feedback
This sentiment of looking inward for guidance was powerfully echoed by Lead Writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen. She admitted to being a natural "people pleaser," with the knowledge of fan expectations constantly lingering in the background. However, she drew a clear line between appreciation and artistic direction.
"Creatively, we've always let our North Star be our own personal taste in terms of what we think is cool, what it is we enjoy and want to see," Svedberg-Yen explained. This philosophy, she believes, is what gave Expedition 33 its unique heart—a heart she is determined to protect.
She pointed to cautionary tales in other media, noting, "I've seen too many TV shows and books be swayed trying to please a lot of people, and in the process, you end up losing the heart of what's there." For Sandfall, avoiding this creative dilution is paramount. "So [we] feel like we need to trust our instincts and continue to trust the vision behind the studio."
What This Means for Gamers
For fans eagerly awaiting Sandfall Interactive’s next move, this should be thrilling news. Rather than chasing trends or assembling a feature list by committee, the studio is committed to crafting another experience born of genuine passion and a refined creative voice. The "five more years of experience" Meurisse mentions suggests ambition—a potential to expand scope and depth—while the unwavering focus on their "North Star" promises that any evolution will still feel authentically like a Sandfall game.
In an industry often driven by hype cycles and reactive development, Sandfall Interactive’s stance is a testament to confident, artist-led creation. They’re not ignoring their audience; they’re honoring them by promising not to compromise the singular magic that drew players to them in the first place. The journey to their next title may be deliberate, but if Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 taught us anything, it’s that this studio’s instincts are worth trusting.