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| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's art book caused quite a stir for one Reddit user |
In what might be the most unexpected delay in video game shipping history, a Reddit user’s collector’s edition of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been confiscated by Iraqi authorities under the suspicion that it is a relic of genuine Mesopotamian heritage.
For most gamers, the biggest threat to a new collector’s edition is porch pirates or a dented shipping box. For Reddit user Ahmed15252, the danger was far more bureaucratic—and ancient.
Posting on the Expedition 33 subreddit, Ahmed detailed the odyssey of his long-awaited collector’s edition, which took a staggering eight months to arrive at his doorstep. But when it finally landed in Iraq, it didn’t land in his hands. Instead, it landed on the desk of the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities.
According to the post, local customs officials opened the package and immediately flagged the Expedition Journal—an art book filled with concept illustrations and world-building lore for the upcoming turn-based RPG. To the untrained eye, the weathered aesthetic and archaic visual themes appeared convincingly authentic. So convincing, in fact, that officials decided the book wasn't modern merchandise, but rather a stolen antiquity.
When Art Direction Looks Too Good
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is set in a fantastical, Belle Époque-inspired world tinged with cosmic horror. The art direction leans heavily on crumbling stonework, forgotten civilizations, and painterly landscapes—visual cues that apparently align a little too closely with actual Iraqi archaeological treasures.
The art book was promptly confiscated and forwarded to the Ministry of Culture and Antiquities to determine its “historic value.”
At the time of writing, Ahmed15252 has not posted an update regarding the status of the book. It remains unclear whether the Ministry has realized their error, or if somewhere in Baghdad, a government archivist is currently cataloguing concept art of the “Paintress” alongside genuine Sumerian tablets.
The Irony of Authenticity
There is a silver lining buried in the sand here. The actual game disc for Expedition 33 was left untouched and has been confirmed to be in working order. While Ahmed may be temporarily without his concept art, he can still explore the game’s lore the way it was intended—digitally.
Still, the situation highlights an emerging friction point in the global shipping of luxury gaming goods. Collector’s editions are no longer just plastic figurines and steelbooks; they are increasingly designed as artisanal objects. Sand-cast maps, leather-bound journals, and heavy-stock art prints mimic the texture of genuine historical artifacts, which can trigger scrutiny in regions with strict cultural heritage protection laws.
Why Iraq Doesn’t Mess Around
To an outsider, seizing a video game art book might seem absurd. But the Iraqi government’s response is less about gaming and more about geopolitics.
Following the invasions of 1991 and 2003, Iraq’s archaeological sites were systematically looted. Thousands of artifacts—some dating back to the cradle of civilization—were smuggled out of the country and sold on the black market. For years, organizations like ISIS used antiquities trafficking as a major revenue stream.
Both the U.S. State Department and the European Union have published extensive reports detailing how illicit artifacts are used to launder money and fund terrorism in the region. As a result, Iraqi customs operates under a "when in doubt, seize it" mandate.
From their perspective, a mysterious book depicting ancient ruins, written in a foreign language, arriving from overseas? It’s not paranoia—it’s protocol.
What Happens Next?
There are no current indications that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 developers Sandfall Interactive are involved in the situation, nor is there any legal precedent for retrieving a video game art book from a national antiquities board. Realistically, Ahmed15252 will likely receive his property back once a Ministry official opens the cover and spots the copyright page or a barcode.
Until then, the community is watching closely—equal parts amused and sympathetic.
Source: Wccftech
Have you ever had a collector’s edition held up in customs? Do you think game art is getting too realistic for its own good? Share your thoughts below.