The world of Clair Obscur is far from finished! Creative director Guillaume Broche confirmed that Expedition 33 is just one story, but it is also part of the larger Clair Obscur franchise, and more stories are planned!
“Exactly what it will look like… it’s still too soon to announce. But what is sure is that this is not the end of the Clair franchise,” he shared, leaving everyone wondering what the next chapter will be.
This was revealed in a recent interview between Guillaume Broche and content creator MrMattyPlays:
From AAA to Indie: Broche’s Creative Leap
Before founding his own studio, Broche worked at Ubisoft. The change from a large AAA team to a smaller, independent studio allowed him to explore a wider range of creative tasks, from writing and cinematics to battle design and blueprints.
Broche explains, “Every day I sit down and think: what am I going to do today? There are two million different things to do.” He contrasts this with the rigid structure of AAA teams, where roles are highly specialized.
The move was not solely about creative freedom. It was accelerated by the COVID lockdowns, giving Broche the chance to dedicate himself fully to Expedition 33.
The Philosophy Behind Expedition 33
Expedition 33 surprised everyone with its success, but Broche emphasizes that the team has intentionally avoided letting that success change their approach.
“There are so many easy mistakes to make when you get success and money. We take our time to lay a good strategy for what we’re going to do next,” he said.
The studio still wants to focus on creating games that are authentic, artistic, and true to their vision. Broche also reveals the team’s approach to game length and content. They don’t want to expand just for the sake of it. They focus on quality and replay value.
“If people really love the game, they can start a new playthrough with a different team or build. There’s replay value. Bigger doesn’t necessarily mean better.”
Pricing and Accessibility: Staying True to Values
One of the standout points for players was Expedition 33’s $50 price tag. An affordable price for a game that felt like a full experience.
Broche explains, “The budget of the game is very low, and the price reflects the kind of studio we are. We’re not a big studio, and we just wanted to reflect that in the price.”
The game also benefited from being on Game Pass, and that boosted their visibility, as a lot of players were able to test the game before buying it.
“We are very comfortable and lucky to have been like this big. If you change one thing, anything else can break,” Broche noted.
Creative Team and Unique Hiring Practices
Expedition 33’s development relied on discovering talent in unconventional ways, from Reddit to ArtStation. Broche continues to browse portfolios and scout for talent online, keeping the option open for future projects.
This approach allowed the team to put together specialized talent for animation, writing, and music without expanding the core team unnecessarily.
Looking Ahead: Post-Launch and Beyond
Although post-launch plans for Expedition 33 remain a mystery, Broche hinted:
“There might be something. We may be cooking.”
The studio is also exploring exchanges with other gaming legends, including trips to Japan, China, and Korea, to learn from other directors’ experiences.
For fans, the biggest takeaway is clear: Clair Obscur is just beginning. Expedition 33 may have concluded its story, but the franchise’s universe will continue to grow, promising new adventures, stories, and surprises for players to explore!
Keep an eye on our latest news, as we will definitely keep you updated on Clair Obscur’s bright future!
