Small-scale studio, Clair Obscur behind Expedition 33, finds success with their full-priced turn-based RPG, having no plans to scale up to AAA productions; creator expresses preference for maintaining a tight-knit team.
Sandfall Interactive, the studio behind the critically acclaimed turn-based RPG game, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has announced that it will maintain its current team size rather than scale up. The French studio, composed of just over 30 full-time developers and some contractors, has deliberately chosen to avoid rapid expansion.
Lead programmer Tom Guillermin and creative director Guillaume Broche believe that the current team size is ideal for creating high-quality turn-based RPGs without losing the core creative magic that made their debut game successful. Guillermin stated that if they were to make another full-priced turn-based RPG, the present team size would still be "just as good as it is now."
Broche added that a concentrated, talented team was key to their success. He described a rigorous hiring process that initially involved over 200 interviews and subsequent scouting of emerging talent on platforms like Reddit and Soundcloud. Sandfall Interactive went for younger talent with a "fighting spirit," a strategy that has paid off with the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
The game, released just over a month ago, has already sold 3.3 million copies. Industry figures predict that it could sell up to 10 million copies, a significant achievement for an AA-sized studio like Sandfall Interactive. Despite this commercial success, the studio has no plans to increase its headcount.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is being recognised as a contender for awards in the gaming industry. The actor from the game has expressed pleasure that people are rediscovering turn-based combat in the game. However, it's worth noting that games like Octopath Traveler have been bring back turn-based combat for some time now.
The development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a collaborative effort. Four people were responsible for the music, while five people worked on environments, two on the story, and around three to six people worked on cinematics. Sandfall Interactive also outsourced some aspects of the game's development.
The studio's approach to scaling is to remain steady and small, favouring quality and focused collaboration over rapid expansion. This strategy is in response to the struggles faced by AAA games and the call for more AA games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. The team at Sandfall Interactive is confident that they can continue to create full-priced turn-based RPGs with their current team size.
As award season for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has not yet kicked off, it remains to be seen how the game will fare in the competitive gaming industry. However, with its success so far and the studio's commitment to quality over quantity, Sandfall Interactive is certainly a studio to watch.
- Sandfall Interactive has chosen to maintain a team size that allows for high-quality turn-based RPG games without compromising creative magic.
- The lead programmer Tom Guillermin asserts that the current team size is ideal for creating another full-priced turn-based RPG.
- Guillaume Broche, the creative director, emphasizes the importance of a concentrated, talented team in the studio's success.
- The hiring process at Sandfall Interactive involves over 200 interviews and scouting of emerging talent on platforms like Reddit and Soundcloud.
- The game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has already sold 3.3 million copies after being released just over a month ago.
- Industry figures predict that Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 could sell up to 10 million copies, a significant achievement for an AA-sized studio.
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is being recognized as a contender for awards in the gaming industry.
- There are four people responsible for the music and five people focusing on environments in the development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
- Two people worked on the story, while around three to six people worked on cinematics.
- The studio also outsourced some aspects of the game's development.
- The team at Sandfall Interactive prefers quality and focused collaboration over rapid expansion in their work.
- Their approach to scaling is in response to the struggles faced by AAA games.
- Gamers are rediscovering turn-based combat in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, with the actor from the game expressing pleasure.
- Games like Octopath Traveler have been bringing back turn-based combat for some time now.
- The development of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 was a collaborative effort involving various team members.
- With the success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and the studio's commitment to quality over quantity, Sandfall Interactive is a studio to watch.
- As Clair Obscur: Expedition 33's award season has not yet kicked off, its performance in the competitive gaming industry remains to be seen.
- The success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and similar AA games signifies a call for more great games in the industry.
- Hiring younger talent with a "fighting spirit" has proven to be a strategically successful approach for Sandfall Interactive.
- The development process for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 involves outsourcing certain aspects to ensure a high-quality final product.
- In the realm of entertainment, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has garnered significant attention and recognition.
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