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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesClair Obscur: Expedition 33 reportedly had a final budget of less than $10 million, according to GamesRadar+’s account of a 2025 New York Times profile of developer Sandfall Interactive. That is a reported threshold, not an independently audited total: the accessible coverage does not say precisely which development or project costs it includes.
What is known about the game’s budget?
GamesRadar+ attributes the “less than $10 million” final-budget figure to Sandfall Interactive’s profile in The New York Times. Insider Gaming also reported the same threshold. Neither accessible account supplies a more exact amount or a cost breakdown, and the original Times profile could not be checked directly. The figure should therefore be treated as a developer-reported number relayed by news coverage, not as a verified accounting statement. GamesRadar+; Insider Gaming
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
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| 1 |
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Clair Obscur Expedition 33 PS5 | $45.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (PS5) | $41.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - For PS5 | $45.68 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - For PlayStation 5 | $67.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Metaphor: ReFantazio Launch Edition - PlayStation 5 | $38.89 | Buy on Amazon |
The available reporting does not establish whether the figure includes marketing, publisher spending, or all external contractors. It is not possible to calculate a reliable all-in project cost from the reported threshold.
Does “under $10 million” mean fewer than 30 people made the entire game?
No. Sandfall CTO Tom Guillermin described the studio’s core team as fewer than 30 people: around 25 in Montpellier and five in Paris. That is a count of the core team, not necessarily every person or company involved in production. Unreal Engine interview
#1 Best Overall
- Reactive Turn-based Combat: Craft unique builds for your Expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and &character synergies
- Dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free aim system
- With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, & fellow Expeditioners as they embark on a desperate quest to break Paintress’ cycle of death
- Explore an enchanting realm populated by adversaries; Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack
Creative director Guillaume Broche said external partners helped with localization and orchestral recording. Those contributions expanded what the studio could accomplish in-house; the available sources do not specify whether their costs were included in the reported budget. Sandfall Interactive
How did Sandfall build the project?
Guillermin said the earliest versions were made by CEO Guillaume Broche alone, with occasional help. The team later grew to twelve while preparing a vertical slice. In 2022, Sandfall went to the Game Developers Conference to find a publisher, met Kepler Interactive, and received support to continue development and build an Alpha. Unreal Engine interview
Rank #2
- Reactive Turn-based Combat - In this evolution of JRPGs, real-time actions enhance the heart of turn-based combat. Build your party and level up six characters. Craft unique builds for your expeditioners that fit your playstyle via gear, stats, skills, and character synergies. Open an active dimension in combat - dodge, parry, and counter in real time, chain combos by mastering attack rhythms, and target enemy weak points using a free-aim system.
- “Tomorrow Comes” - With only one year left to live, join Gustave, Maelle, and their fellow Expeditioners as they embark upon a desperate quest to break the Paintress’ cycle of death. Follow the trail of previous expeditions and discover their fate. Get to know the members of Expedition 33 as they learn to work together against impossible odds.
- A Hauntingly Beautiful World - Explore an enchanting realm populated by surreal adversaries. Wander through breathtaking landscapes, from the Island of Visages to the Forgotten Battlefield, discovering secrets and hidden quests along the way. Find allies of fortune in creatures of legend and recruit a special companion who can access new travel methods and secret areas in the World Map.
- Experience the debut game from Sandfall Interactive, fully realized in Unreal Engine 5 with stunning graphics and a heartbreaking soundtrack.
- European/ UK version
Sandfall’s account of the production emphasizes making limited programming capacity go further. Guillermin said Unreal Engine tools helped the small team, including Blueprint visual scripting, which let non-programmers contribute to game logic. He described the studio’s approach this way: “Our development philosophy at Sandfall is based on the reality that we have limited programming bandwidth, so we focus on what’s most important to delivering a good player experience and helping the creative team achieve their aims.” Unreal Engine interview
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What does the reported budget tell players?
It establishes that Sandfall’s final budget was reported below a $10 million threshold; it does not show exactly how that money was allocated or make the game’s total production costs comparable to another title’s. Budget comparisons are meaningful only when they use the same accounting scope—for example, development costs against development costs, rather than one game’s development budget against another’s total project or marketing spend.
Rank #3
- Engaging Storyline: Dive into a rich, narrative-driven adventure with unexpected twists.
- Complex Puzzles: Test your problem-solving skills with challenging puzzles.
- Immersive World: Explore a visually stunning alien planet with breathtaking details and treacherous terrain.
Sandfall describes Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as its first game: a single-player, narrative-driven, turn-based RPG for new-generation consoles and PCs, published by Kepler Interactive. Sandfall Interactive
Quick Recap
Best Value
- IGN and GameSpot "Game of the Year" and "Best RPG" from The Game Awards
- ATLUS' newest fantasy JRPG with beautiful anime cutscenes
- Free demo with save-data carry over
- Awaken 40+ "Archetypes," magical powers that lie dormant in your heart
- Innovative battle system that blends strategic turn-based combat and dynamic real-time combat
Rank #4
- Engaging Storyline: Dive into a rich, narrative-driven adventure with unexpected twists.
- Complex Puzzles: Test your problem-solving skills with challenging puzzles.
- Immersive World: Explore a visually stunning alien planet with breathtaking details and treacherous terrain.
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