French indie game 'Clair Obscur' takes home top honors at The Game Awards
LOS ANGELES -- The French indie title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 swept the annual Game Awards in Los Angeles, claiming a record-breaking nine awards, including Best Video Game of the Year.
"What a bizarre turn of events for us!" quipped Mr. Guillaume Broche of the video game studio Sandfall Interactive as he accepted the top prize. "And I'd also like to give a shout-out to the unsung heroes of the industry -- the folks who create YouTube tutorials on game development -- because we had no prior experience in game creation."
Clair Obscur, the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, follows a group of characters battling seemingly insurmountable odds in a post-apocalyptic world, all while showcasing a distinctly French visual style.
Despite competing against industry heavyweights like Death Stranding 2, directed by the legendary Hideo Kojima, and Nintendo's Donkey Kong Bananza, starring the iconic gorilla, Clair Obscur received numerous nominations and emerged victorious.
The game's origins can be traced back to 2020 when Mr. Broche, a developer at the French gaming giant Ubisoft, initiated the project. He later joined forces with ex-colleague Tom Guillermin to establish the small studio in Montpellier, France, in the same year.
In 2022, they secured a publishing deal with the UK-based Kepler, which provided the necessary funding for the project.
Since its release in April 2025, approximately 5 million copies of Clair Obscur have been sold.
"I never imagined this would happen!" Mr. Broche humorously stated. "A huge 'thank you' to all the players."
The grassroots popularity of Clair Obscur has sparked a trend among fans, who now attend conventions and gaming events dressed in striped mariner shirts and red berets -- a quintessential French ensemble that players can customize for their in-game characters.
The action-adventure game centers around a small group of characters striving to defeat a formidable entity threatening their home city, Lumiere, which bears a striking resemblance to Belle Epoque Paris.
Drawing inspiration from Japanese games like the long-running Final Fantasy series, Clair Obscur is a role-playing game featuring turn-based combat against the monsters that inhabit the world.
Its success is attributed to the game's emotionally resonant story, endearing characters, and innovative gameplay, which introduces rhythm-based elements to parry enemy attacks.
Industry specialist Benoit Reinier praised the team's achievement, stating, 'They presented a polished and competitive game, holding its own against major titles.'
Despite its modest team size of around 30 members throughout most of its development, the Clair Obscur team managed to create a game that captivated players and garnered critical acclaim.
Mr. Broche expressed his gratitude by bringing the entire team to Los Angeles to celebrate the awards.
The game's captivating soundtrack also played a significant role in immersing players within its universe.
Among the awards won by Clair Obscur were Narrative, Role-Playing, and Music Score.
French President Emmanuel Macron praised the team in May, commending them for 'showcasing French boldness and creativity.'
There are also plans to adapt the Expedition 33 story into a feature film, according to AFP.
