The Unlikely Success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – A Game Born from Passion and Luck
In the midst of the Covid pandemic, Guillaume Broche, a Ubisoft employee, felt stuck in his job and yearned for a change. He had an idea for a role-playing game inspired by his childhood favorite, Final Fantasy, and thus, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was born. Five years later, the game has become a sensation, selling one million copies in just three days and topping Spotify viral charts with its soundtrack. But what’s truly remarkable is the story of how it was made – a tale of random Reddit messages, “massive luck,” and an unusual approach to game development.
Finding the Right Team
Guillaume’s unconventional approach to game development began with recruiting team members through Reddit and online forums. He was looking for people who shared his passion and vision for the game. One of those who responded was Jennifer Svedberg-Yen, who was under lockdown in Australia at the time. She was initially cast as a major character in an early version of the game but eventually switched roles to become the team’s lead writer. Guillaume’s ability to find talented individuals who shared his vision is a testament to his “Guillaume effect.”
The Power of Luck and Timing
Guillaume attributes his success to a combination of luck and the Covid pandemic, which provided an opportunity for people to explore creative outlets. He also credits his ability to find people who were “in line with the direction” he wanted to take the project. For example, composer Lorien Testard was discovered via posts on music-sharing website Soundcloud. The team’s ability to work efficiently, thanks to recent advances in game development tools, also played a significant role in the game’s production values.
A Team of Talented Junior Developers
Despite having a relatively small team of around 30 people, Sandfall Interactive was able to attract high-profile actors, including Charlie Cox and Andy Serkis. The team’s ability to wear multiple hats and take on different roles was crucial to the game’s success. Jennifer, who was also in charge of translating the game into different languages, notes that the team’s junior developers were incredibly invested in the project and talented.
Lessons Learned
The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 serves as a reminder that sometimes, taking a risk and following your passion can lead to incredible results. Guillaume’s unconventional approach to game development and his ability to find talented individuals who shared his vision are key factors in the game’s success. As the game development industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to remain open to new ideas and approaches.
Actionable Insights
- Don’t be afraid to take risks and follow your passion.
- Look for talented individuals who share your vision and are willing to take on different roles.
- Leverage recent advances in game development tools to work efficiently and effectively.
- Be open to new ideas and approaches in the game development industry.
Summary
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a testament to the power of passion, luck, and unconventional approaches to game development. From its humble beginnings as a solo project to its current status as a sensation, the game’s success is a reminder that sometimes, taking a risk and following your heart can lead to incredible results.