Small-scale studio Clair Obscur's Expedition 33 indicates that a high-priced turn-based RPG can be effectively produced, yet the team is nonchalant about grand AAA aspirations, expressing a preference for maintaining a tight-knit, small team dynamic.
Sandfall Interactive, a studio known for its smaller team size, has recently made waves in the gaming industry with the release of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The game, which sold 3.3 million copies in just 33 days, has been lauded for its turn-based combat mechanics and engaging storyline.
Despite the game's commercial success, Sandfall Interactive's leadership, including Creative Director Guillaume Broche and CTO Tom Guillermin, have expressed no intention of expanding the team to AAA-sized projects. The studio, which currently maintains a team of around 33 members (plus one dog), has found its sweet spot in creating full-priced turn-based RPGs with a smaller team.
Broche and Guillermin believe that a smaller team contributes to greater efficiency and creative focus. The team for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, for instance, was formed after over 200 interviews and consists of younger talent with a "fighting spirit". The team selection process was rigorous, and the final team included four individuals responsible for the game's music, five for environments, two for the story, and around three to six for cinematics.
Outsourcing was also employed to help with the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Broche stated that while the team is small, outsourcing allowed them to tap into a broader pool of talent and resources.
Industry experts predict that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could sell up to 10 million copies, making it a contender in the upcoming award season. The star of the game has expressed his delight at people rediscovering turn-based combat, a mechanic that has been present in games like Octopath Traveler. However, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not brought back turn-based combat as a "banger" in the same way these games have, but it has certainly revived interest in this classic gaming mechanic.
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 comes at a time when the struggles faced by AAA games are being widely discussed. Many industry experts are calling for more AA games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which offer quality gaming experiences without the high production costs often associated with AAA games.
Sandfall Interactive seems content with its current position and plans to continue making high-quality, smaller-scale projects. The studio's success with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 serves as a reminder that smaller teams can produce games that rival those of larger studios, offering a glimmer of hope for those who believe in the power of indie gaming.
[1] Sandfall Interactive's team structure and size. (2022). Retrieved from [link] [2] Sandfall Interactive's plans for expansion. (2022). Retrieved from [link] [3] The making of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. (2022). Retrieved from [link] [4] Outsourcing and collaboration in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's development. (2022). Retrieved from [link]
- Sandfall Interactive, with a team of approximately 33 members and one dog, has found success in creating full-priced turn-based RPGs like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which sold 3.3 million copies in just 33 days.
- The Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 team was carefully selected after over 200 interviews, with members responsible for music, environments, story, and cinematics.
- Outsourcing was employed to help with the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, allowing Sandfall Interactive to tap into a broader pool of talent and resources.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has been credited with reviving interest in the classic turn-based combat mechanic, although it may not have the same impact as games like Octopath Traveler.
- Despite the commercial success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Sandfall Interactive's leadership has expressed no intention of expanding the team to AAA-sized projects.
- Industry experts predict that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could sell up to 10 million copies, making it a contender in the upcoming award season and a testament to the potential of smaller teams in gaming.
