The news fell on Monday, November 17 and it had the effect of a bomb in the video game industry. “Clair Obscure: Expedition 33” not only does he appear in the nominations, he shatters all the counters. Created in Montpellier, the game is in the running for the supreme title of game of the year, alongside heavyweights like “Death Stranding 2”, “Donkey Kong Bananza” and “Hollow Knight: Silksong”. But the real madness is this shower of 12 nominations which makes the French title the big favorite for the ceremony scheduled for December 11 in Los Angeles.
For a first game, it’s simply historic. Sandfall Interactivefounded by former Ubisoft talents, won selections in practically all major categories: best independent game, best first game, best artistic direction, best original soundtrack, best RPG… The list is dizzying! Even the British actors who lend their voices to the characters — Ben Starr, Charlie Cox et Jennifer English — are nominated in the best performance category. This is unheard of for a French production!
The commercial success is just as phenomenal: more than 5 million copies sold since its release in April 2025. The public has completely fallen for this post-apocalyptic universe where you play a group of characters who set out to challenge a threatening supernatural entity Light, a city directly inspired by Paris. The aesthetic Belle Epoque mixed with a dark and fantastic atmosphere has won over players around the world.
Guillaume Broche, creative director and co-founder of the studio, and quoted by our colleagues at Huffington Postsaid he was eager to celebrate this unique moment in Los Angeles alongside his peers. And he is right to be proud! No French production has ever won the Game of the Year title at the Game Awards. This year could well make history. See you on December 11 to find out if “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33” will write a new page in French gaming! And to find out more, you can listen to the Pop Shot Voltage podcastwhich returns to this event.
