December 16, 2025
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Makes History With Record-Breaking Night at The Game Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has officially secured its place in gaming history after an unprecedented performance at The Game Awards, delivering one of the most dominant nights the event has ever seen.
Developed by Montpellier-based Sandfall Interactive, the RPG entered the ceremony with record-breaking momentum—and exceeded all expectations.
🏆 A Historic Sweep at The Game Awards
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 set new records by winning nine awards in a single night, the most ever achieved by one game at The Game Awards.
Key wins included:
- Game of the Year
- Best Indie Game
- Best Debut Indie Game
- Best RPG
- Best Narrative
- Best Art Direction
- Best Game Direction
- Best Score
- Best Performance
The game was nominated in 13 categories overall, already setting a nomination record before the ceremony even began.
🎮 The Categories It Didn’t Win
Despite its dominant showing, Expedition 33 narrowly missed out on two awards:
- Best Audio Design
- Players’ Voice (fan-voted award)
Even without these wins, its overall performance remains unmatched in TGA history.
🇫🇷 National Recognition for French Game Development
The game’s success resonated far beyond the stage. France’s president publicly celebrated the achievement, calling the Game of the Year win a historic moment for French-made titles and a point of pride for both Montpellier and the country as a whole.
This recognition highlights the growing influence of European studios on the global gaming landscape and reinforces France’s rising role in premium game development.
📈 A Breakout Year for Sandfall Interactive
The awards success follows an already impressive year for Expedition 33:
- Over one million copies sold
- Among the highest-rated games released
- Widespread acclaim for its artistic direction and storytelling
Earlier praise for its commercial and critical success set the stage for its awards dominance, making the TGA sweep a defining moment rather than a surprise.
❤️ A Life-Changing Moment for the Studio
Following the ceremony, Sandfall Interactive shared heartfelt thanks with the community, crediting players and supporters for helping turn the project into a life-changing success.
The message reinforced how deeply player engagement and community passion contributed to the game’s journey—from debut release to Game of the Year.
🧠 Final Thoughts
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33’s record-setting night at The Game Awards is more than just a trophy haul—it’s a milestone for indie development, narrative-driven RPGs, and French creators on the world stage.
With critical acclaim, commercial success, and historic recognition now behind it, Sandfall Interactive has firmly established itself as a studio to watch for years to come.