When Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 launched in April 2025, it found itself in a unique, and potentially risky, position. The game debuted just days after the highly anticipated The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered dropped.
In a competitive gaming market, this kind of timing could have led to a commercial disaster for a new RPG, but according to Kepler Interactive, the publisher behind Expedition 33, the release window didn’t hurt the game at all, in fact, it might have helped.
Kepler’s senior portfolio director, Matt Handrahan, spoke to The Game Business about the release, explaining that the close timing with Oblivion didn’t harm them. “It went as well as it possibly could have,” Handrahan said, noting that the proximity to Oblivion seemed to boost awareness for quality RPGs in general during that week. Rather than overshadowing Clair Obscur, the massive buzz surrounding Oblivion gave Expedition 33 the chance to be noticed by a broader audience.
“We always knew that Expedition 33 had a very specific identity,” Handrahan continued, revealing that the team at Kepler was confident in the game’s success. The RPG wasn’t just another generic title, it had its own visual style and gameplay mechanics, setting it apart from other releases. This unique identity, combined with the fact that the game was priced at $50 and was included in Xbox Game Pass, helped drive interest and attract players looking for a fresh experience.
The inclusion of Expedition 33 in Game Pass was particularly crucial. Game Pass access has become a powerful tool for developers, ensuring that their games are widely available to a massive player base. With so many players already subscribed to the service, the game had a built-in audience ready to try something new, without worrying about the hefty price tag.
Handrahan admitted that they knew they would have a lot of interest around the game, especially considering the growing demand for RPGs. The success of Oblivion Remastered only fueled that demand, and with both games launching within days of each other, the timing created a perfect storm for RPG fans.
So, while Oblivion may have cast a long shadow, Clair Obscur didn’t cower in the corner. Instead, it took advantage of the buzz around the genre and stood its ground. The strategy clearly worked, and Expedition 33 is proving that even in a crowded field, there’s always room for more quality RPGs.
