Sandfall Interactive has confirmed that its next project will not be shaped by external expectations, despite the massive success of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. According to the studio, creative instinct will continue to guide development, even as pressure grows following one of 2025’s most celebrated RPG releases.

Released in April 2025, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 quickly became a breakout hit. The turn-based RPG swept multiple award ceremonies and surpassed five million copies sold within its first six months. Following that success, the French studio has begun early work on its next title, though details remain scarce.

Creative Pressure Exists, But It’s Not the Priority

In a recent interview with Edge magazine, Sandfall co-founder and chief operating officer François Meurisse acknowledged that the studio does feel some pressure after Expedition 33’s reception. However, he downplayed its importance, explaining that the team remains committed to working the same way it always has. Meurisse emphasized that Sandfall values taking time to explore ideas that genuinely excite the developers, rather than reacting to market trends or fan demands.

Lead writer Jennifer Svedberg-Yen echoed this sentiment. She explained that Sandfall continues to use its own tastes as a guiding principle, referring to it as the studio’s “North Star.” While she admitted that resisting audience expectations can be difficult now that the studio has a large fanbase, she stressed the importance of maintaining a clear creative identity.

Avoiding the Trap of Pleasing Everyone

Svedberg-Yen also spoke candidly about the risks of compromising creative vision. She pointed to examples from books, television, and games that lost their identity by attempting to appeal to everyone. According to her, trusting the studio’s instincts remains essential to preserving what made Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stand out in the first place.

This philosophy aligns closely with previous statements from Sandfall CEO Guillaume Broche, who has described the studio’s future projects as remaining “artsy” in nature. Rather than pivoting toward safer or more commercial designs, Sandfall appears intent on refining its unique voice.

Clair Obscur as a Growing Universe

While Sandfall has not formally announced its next game, the studio has previously suggested that Clair Obscur is intended to be a broader franchise. In this framework, Expedition 33 represents one story within a larger universe. Future titles may explore new characters, themes, or settings while remaining connected to the same world.

This structure has led to comparisons with anthology-style franchises such as Final Fantasy, one of Sandfall’s cited inspirations. Whether the next project becomes a direct sequel or a standalone entry within the same universe remains unclear.

A Small Team and a Long-Term Timeline

Despite its newfound success, Sandfall does not plan to significantly expand its team. Co-founder and lead programmer Tom Guillermin has previously stated that the studio’s current size feels ideal for developing ambitious turn-based RPGs. Given that Expedition 33 took roughly five to six years to complete, the next project may follow a similar timeline, potentially targeting a release around 2030 or 2031.

For now, Sandfall continues to support Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, having released a substantial free DLC in December 2025. While the studio has not confirmed further updates, its focus now appears to be firmly on shaping the next chapter—guided by instinct rather than expectation.

If you want to get more future updates, you can check out their official X account.