Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio Sandfall isn’t bothered that people may not like its next game, and that’s the most refreshing thing I’ve heard all week
Sandfall Interactive, the French studio behind the acclaimed Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, is taking an unconventional approach to its next project. Director and founder Guillaume Broche has stated that the studio isn’t concerned whether audiences will enjoy their upcoming game—a refreshingly honest stance in an industry often obsessed with mass appeal.
In a recent interview with YouTube channel Konbini, Broche explained the studio’s philosophy: “Maybe people won’t like it. That’s life. We didn’t make the first game to please anyone, and I think that’s why it worked.” This approach proved successful with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which became a runaway success despite not being designed specifically for mass consumption.
The director further elaborates on this philosophy by discussing the intentional role of imperfection in game design. Broche argues that games attempting to be flawless often end up boring, comparing games to people—the imperfections are what make them interesting. Rather than polish away every flaw, Sandfall appears to view character and personality as more important than perfection.
For their next game, the studio plans to make “drastic decisions” that prioritize their creative vision over pleasing existing fans. Broche’s mantra for the upcoming project is simple: “We’re just going to do what we love again.” This suggests Sandfall has no intention of playing it safe or chasing trends established by their first game’s success.
Sources
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 studio Sandfall isn’t bothered that people may not like its next game, and that’s the most refreshing thing I’ve heard all week
- Clair Obscur is flawed on purpose, says director: ‘Games that try to be perfect, that try to fix all their flaws—they’re usually just really boring’
- ‘Maybe People Won’t Like It’: Expedition 33 Dev’s Next Game Will Make Some ‘Drastic Decisions’