French President Emmanuel Macron has publicly congratulated Montpellier-based game studio Sandfall Interactive after their title Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 made history at The Game Awards this week.

The game set records at the ceremony. First, it received 13 nominations, breaking the previous record for the most nominations at The Game Awards. Then it won nine awards, setting a new record for the most wins in the event’s history.

Expedition 33 took home some of the night’s biggest honors, including Game of the Year, Best Indie Game, Best Debut Indie Game, Best Art Direction, Best Score, Best RPG, Best Narrative, Best Game Direction, and Best Performance for actress Jennifer English. The game was nominated in 11 categories total but did not win Best Audio Design, which went to Battlefield 6, or the Players’ Voice award, which was won by Wuthering Waves.

 

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Writing on Instagram, Macron celebrated the achievement: “Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has just been named Game of the Year in Los Angeles. A historic first for a French title! Great pride for Montpellier and for France. Congratulations to the Sandfall Interactive team. For future generations and those that follow!”

This is not the first time the French president has recognized the game’s success. Earlier this year, Macron praised the studio after the game sold one million copies and became one of the highest-rated games in history. “One million copies sold and currently one of the highest-rated games in history, and yes, it’s French,” he wrote at the time. “Congratulations to Sandfall Interactive and all the creators of Expedition 33. You are a shining example of French audacity and creativity.”

Following their record-breaking night, Sandfall Interactive expressed their gratitude to fans and the gaming community. “Thank you to everyone who helped bring Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to life. Thank you to all our players for your passion, the love you’ve shared with us, and your incredible creations… Thank you for changing our lives,” the studio said.