2025 was a banner year for gaming, with long-awaited titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong and Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally hitting shelves, and sequels like Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Hades 2 exceeding expectations. But no game defined the year quite like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the debut RPG from Sandfall Interactive. The game, crafted by a team of just over 30 developers led by ex-Ubisoft designer Guillaume Broche, wowed critics and players alike with its unique blend of JRPG mechanics and French artistic flair, telling a poignant story about grief and creation.
Set in a world where a mysterious Paintress erases people by painting a number each year, the game follows the titular Expedition 33 as they set out to stop her. Its emotional depth and innovative design earned it Game of the Year at The Game Awards, along with eight other wins from its 13 nominations. Now that the dust has settled, fans are eager to know what's next for the studio. Ben Starr, who voices the character Verso, has a simple message: patience.
During a Q&A at Fan Expo Canada, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Starr addressed the future of Sandfall Interactive. He reminded fans that the studio is still small and that major projects take time. "Obviously we're not supposed to speak for Sandfall Interactive, but they're a small team," Starr said. "I think that update was a beautiful one. I hope you've enjoyed and enjoyed taking pictures. We've enjoyed seeing everyone's pictures from that update. I can't say what they're working on. I imagine they're working on their next project; good for them, I hope so. No pressure!"
Starr also shared that the team keeps in touch, with Guillaume occasionally sending "proof of life" updates, though no details about the next game. He emphasized that the creative minds behind Expedition 33 are likely eager to dive into something new, even if it takes a while. "I think they're creative people, so whatever they work on next, I know it's going to be amazing. Let them cook. There's a reason why this game is so special."
The gaming industry is known for its lengthy development cycles, often spanning five years or more, especially for ambitious projects. For a small studio like Sandfall, the post-launch period can be a strange limbo, filled with interviews and conventions while the next big idea slowly takes shape. Starr acknowledged this, saying, "It's a weird thing making video games. You make it, and then you have to spend a year and a half just kind of talking about it, and I think a lot of people are just creatives. I don't mind working on stuff. I do love talking about it; that's when you really get into the meat of the creative part."
In the meantime, Starr has kept busy with other projects, including lending his voice to Bungie's upcoming extraction shooter Marathon and the tactical RPG Ledgerbound. As for Sandfall, fans can only wait and trust the process. The studio has already proven its mettle with a masterpiece, and if Starr's confidence is any indication, the next chapter will be worth the wait.
For more on the world of Expedition 33, check out our coverage of the game's anniversary and other gaming exclusives.
