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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 isn't just a strong Game of the Year candidate, but also a massive sales triumph. Developer the development team along with publisher their publishing partner revealed that this title topped five million copies sold, this is in spite of its status as a launch-day addition through the Game Pass service.

Its success came as a shock to Sandfall. “I was strongly believing that we would have a solid title that would meet moderate commercial success,” a key executive commented.

The CTO and lead programmer remarked this title's review aggregate, which currently sits at 93, came as perhaps the most surprising moment for everyone compared to what we anticipated and what the reality of the field was. Because when it dropped all staff members celebrated excitedly. It was really frantic.”

This triumph prompted work on a complimentary expansion for the game with a new environment, enemies, along with challenging bosses, which they said would be out within the “upcoming month[s]”.

However, while the game is growing, fans shouldn't anticipate they'll hire extensively. Our team includes an excellent group guided by a visionary director possessing strong ideas for the project and future concepts. We'd like to keep the small-team dynamic that led to our success then develop major titles sequentially,” they noted.

The size of Sandfall generated significant conversation when the game came out. Certain industry figures, including renowned designers, looked at the development group as a perfect example for a studio. Despite being relatively lean compared to its AAA counterparts, checking the game's credits reveals dozens of people worked on it; the French studio partnered with overseas animators handling movement and effects, to illustrate.

“We plan to recruit a little more definitely when facing a future production surge in upcoming years,” the producer stated. “However, I envision more of a workshop of a few exceptionally gifted creators that can make a work of art together.” It was stated that Sandfall’s vision as a company “aims to keep the key advantages that made this achievement possible originally.”

Despite being too early for Sandfall to disclose concrete plans regarding upcoming titles — rest assured, efforts were made — the team does know their fundamental principles. “Strategic combat, forms the foundation of this project,” the lead programmer said. “The timing isn't right to announce what will interest us, but it's important also to stay true to our creative core through compelling worlds and engaging mechanics that inspires the team.”

The developer noted how this game began with the creative director pursuing his ideal project. It is hoped this approach will be repeated with upcoming games.”