
Sandfall Interactive, the team behind the hit RPG Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, has commented on how it's approaching work on its next game.
In an interview with Edge magazine (thanks, GamesRadar), chief operating officer and production director François Meurisse mentions that, because of their debut game's success, there's "a bit of pressure" from fans with regards to a follow-up. However, he adds that "it's not so important to us", suggesting Sandfall will be largely ignoring any pressure.
Lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen talks more on this point, basically saying the team will trust itself rather than try to please people.
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"Creatively, we've always let our North Star be our own personal taste in terms of what we think is cool, what it is we enjoy and want to see," she says. "I've seen too many TV shows and books be swayed trying to please a lot of people, and in the process you end up losing the heart of what's there. So [we] feel like we need to trust our instincts and continue to trust the vision behind the studio."
Expedition 33 followed a similar philosophy, resulting in something inspired by classic RPGs but wholly its own thing at the same time. It resonated with a lot of people, leading to impressive sales and a record-breaking awards run.
Meurisse comments that, because of the game's success, the team is in a much better position as work starts on its second project. "We'll have time to get really focused into the next game. We have some great ideas we're so excited to explore, and we don't start from the same point. The team already has five more years of experience. So maybe we can do some great stuff."
Are you excited to see Sandfall's second game? Tell us in the comments section below.
[source gamesradar.com]





Comments 16
After E33 I have nothing but faith in the team. Let them cook.
As long as they don't let scope and promise get out of control I see them doing very well in the future.
I am glad for these statements. I hope they hold true. The issue with a lot of the big games today is that there is too much of an attempt to please the fans and then suits get involved and dull out the creative side.
I hope they make something new, once again following their creative hearts. It's the typical "second album" problem so many have experienced, very hard to live up to expectations. But sometimes, like Team Cherry with Silksong, artists can stay true to themselves and deliver. Don't fall into the trap of bigger = better now that all the money is on offer.
One of the weakest points of E33 was the two endings which obviously left the franchise wide open for a sequel. I suppose the next game doesn't have to be a direct sequel but if they wait too long for a second part it may not work in their favour. Different medium but Stranger Things springs to mind whereby a lot of fans lost interest (myself not included) because of the huge gap between seasons.
@Jammer Really? Without spoilers I thought they were both pretty conclusive, one absolutely so, though this can always be written around.
But i'm not sure a sequel would have the same punch, the surprises are told, character arcs are complete. Better as a standalone.
@themightyant I wouldn't say no to a game about "the writers" if you know you know...
@Oram77 Yes! That could work. In the same universe but all new cast etc. But I think i'd prefer something brand new, it's more exciting to me than IP. Though "Clair Obscur:" sets up for a franchise.
They proved their talent. They know what they want to do.
Let's just wait and enjoy what next great game comes from this studio.
I feel as though a big part of E33’s underdog story is how it really went against the grain in virtually all respects. It’d be crazy of them to homogenise now.
I also won't let myself be influenced by the success (or failure) of a studio and decide if a game is for me once it comes out and I have all the information.
@Jammer I dunno how true that is. Stranger Things 5 is like the first time I’ve genuinely felt connected to the world at large in a loooooong time. Everyone’s complaining about it… together. Lol. I feel like I was the only one that liked that last episode… though I only liked the epilogue portion of it. Feels like most people I know went back to the series and caught up on Seasons 3 and 4 if they skipped them.
With regards to Sandfall, this is going to sound selfish, but I hope I personally enjoy the next game more. I’ve perhaps never felt a game was so overrated as E33. I thought the game was good, just not great to me. I think they could definitely make something that clicks to me more and I’m hoping that happens.
@somnambulance I also liked the last episode of Stranger Things. You're not alone.
I think most of the internet's nitpicks are inconsequential, and the finale provided a satisfying conclusion to a well-rounded, if seldom phenomenal, show.
Sandfall had my attention since their very first reveal trailer and they have it tenfold nowadays. Hope they'll take their sweet time with whatever they end up releasing next, be it 'Clair Obscur 2' or something else entirely.
@somnambulance I liked S5 of ST for the most part in fact there wasn't a season I didn't like but know some fans got lost along the way due to the gaps between seasons it was like what, 5 seasons over 10 years? I think the ending delivered for the most part so many shows struggle to end well (Lost, BSG Remake spring to mind). What I didn't like was the Eleven denouement, the whole thing felt like a direct riff upon the ending of Pan's Labyrinth. I know Stranger Things plundered many different genres and movies along the way and that's what made it special (Goonies, Ghostbusters etc etc) but to seemingly take the exact ending of Pan's Labyrinth seemed a bit much. But it did have the feels and wasn't crushingly depressing or overtly bitter sweet like so many other shows these days which was kinda refreshing.
I loved the music, art direction, and gameplay. But the narrative switch halfway through (a la Dallas final season) didn’t work for me. It felt like it invalidated all the sacrifices of the expeditions.
Still. I’m looking forward to their next game!
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